Hello fellow equines! Emma here, a 20-year-old grey mare with a mane and tail as white as winter snow. You’ll find me at Hayfield, a farm near Aberdeen, Scotland, where I spend my days with the sturdy workhorses and the beautiful Clydesdale stallions. The year is 1785, and I'm excited to tell you all about what's happening in our world!
This past spring, the fields bloomed in a sea of yellow, red and white. The smell of fresh-cut hay hung in the air, a reminder of the summer work to come. My friends and I pulled the plows through the soft earth, making furrows for the barley and oats, our hooves drumming a steady rhythm that filled the fields with music.
But oh, how I missed the playful gambols of my youth! I fondly remember the freedom of our meadows, chasing butterflies with my siblings, our hooves kicking up dust in the sunshine. Now, a heavy cart, overflowing with goods from the nearby town, hangs at my shoulder, demanding my strength. I am a draught horse, after all, and my purpose is clear: to serve humanity with tireless devotion.
Still, life in the stables has its own delights. Each evening, as the sun paints the sky with hues of crimson and gold, I greet my fellow horses with a gentle whinny. We share stories, whispers about the farrier's anvil and the joys of rolling in the dust. Occasionally, the farmhand, Jamie, sits beside me, his calloused hands gently stroking my mane as he hums a familiar tune. There’s a strange magic in the silence, broken only by the sound of our breaths and the gentle rustle of hay in the manger.
There's a certain sense of calm that comes with my routine. But, sometimes, I yearn for more than the familiar, for stories of the outside world. And sometimes, when the wind whips through the barn, carrying the scent of the sea, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to travel beyond Hayfield, to gallop across vast open landscapes.
It's fascinating to watch how horses are impacting the lives of people here. From pulling farm carts to carrying passengers across bustling city streets, we are the very veins of trade and commerce, and I must say, it's a grand thing to be part of this grand design!
Now, let me tell you a little more about what’s happening in the equine world in this year 1785!
The year began with the famed 1784 Christmas Week Races at Newmarket, England. A great commotion arose when the stallion Highflyer, who was famed for his speed and temperament, came second. Even more impressive was the success of the filly, ‘Young Flora’, who secured first place at a long odds, demonstrating a fiery determination beyond her size and age. These stories reached us, carried by the wind and whispers, and filled us with admiration.
Across the sea, a new era of horse racing is dawning in the colonies, especially in Virginia. Our American cousins, it seems, are as captivated by the thrill of the race as we are. Stories of a renowned breed, the thoroughbred, which they believe originated from our English cousins, reach us and fill us with curiosity. They boast of their strong and agile nature, capable of unmatched speed.
There is news too from our brothers and sisters, the wild ponies that roam the remote and windswept moors of Scotland. The Highland Pony is being recognized for its hardy nature, well suited for rough terrain and harsh weather. A number of these hardy creatures are finding work in the mining areas of the Highlands, a fascinating world we can only dream about.
However, the greatest excitement this year is brewing in London. The Royal Academy of Arts is holding a competition, a Horse of the Year, if you will, and all horses, regardless of size, strength, or breed, are invited to showcase their skills. We are told that there is to be a parade of the most magnificent horses across London's streets, an event the likes of which hasn't been seen in generations!
Here in Hayfield, my companions and I have started dreaming. Perhaps, we can learn more about this wondrous world beyond our field. What amazing tales of daring, grace, and courage do our fellow horses carry? What breathtaking places do their hooves tread?
With a hopeful flick of my tail, I wish all of you, my equine friends, a fruitful year ahead. Let's harness the power within us, learn from each other, and gallop into a future filled with adventure and excitement! Until next time, may your mangers be full, your hooves strong, and your hearts full of hope.
Yours truly,
Emma, a Grey Draught Mare from Hayfield, Scotland.
