Hello everyone, and welcome back to my little corner of the EquiWorld! I'm Emma, a grey mare, twenty years young, with a flowing white mane and tail. As always, I find myself thinking about the wonderful history of horses, and it strikes me that 1836 was quite a year. The hay is crisp in the morning air, and a gentle breeze rustles through the fields near my Hayfield home in the highlands of Scotland, reminding me that autumn is in the air, and so too is the spirit of reflection.
Now, you wouldn't think a mere draught horse from the Scottish Highlands would have much to do with what goes on in the grand world outside, but trust me, you'd be surprised. Horses are everywhere. The news travels, as you may have guessed, via hooves, and through chatter in the stables and fields, so it seems that no matter where we roam, we have our noses in the affairs of the world, in a manner of speaking.
1836, dear friends, was a year for new things, for changes, for a whiff of progress in the air. Let's begin by focusing on the grand horse racing spectacle:
A truly exciting time, my dears! The Derby in particular had all the world’s finest racing horses gather on that famous green at Epsom Downs. Rumours about the event, whispered on the breeze carried on the backs of weary travellers, had travelled all the way to our little patch of Scotland. Now, a grey draught horse like me doesn’t participate in the frantic gallop of the race, of course. I’m all for pulling a heavy cart with a good steady pace. It's about strength and reliability, the workhorse way! But there is a special thrill in knowing that Bay Middleton – an exceptional bay colt – claimed victory in the Derby.
We must talk about breeds: in 1836, there was so much progress! There was a particularly delightful breed new on the scene: The Hackney, with their flashy trot and those flowing feathered legs, were all the rage! They looked so incredibly stylish, prancing around with their carriage masters in London. Even from the wilds of Scotland, the whispers of their charm and elegance reached my ears. This same year, there was the first book written in England that exclusively dealt with this particular breed. What a magnificent time to be a horse!
Speaking of England, my friend – the Cart Horse in that grand country saw great innovation this year. They, of course, have an important task – pulling goods to and from markets. They are a breed of real strength, always dependable. There was such an event as the Cart Horse Improvement Society established, aiming to enhance the quality of this hardworking breed, helping them become stronger, healthier, and better at their job. All a part of progress, wouldn’t you say?
What was on the agenda for the ladies?
I know many of my equine sisters love their dressage, and in 1836, there was a lovely advancement. A most important French book appeared about dressage, focusing on teaching techniques to master a variety of manoeuvres, like "The Spanish Walk” - my dear friend Rose, the chestnut mare from down the road, just adores the Spanish Walk – She looks like a queen as she trots it out with that perfect posture, chin held high. They even used diagrams to show the specific movement of the horse! What a clever innovation! I find myself picturing myself going through the steps – maybe one day when I am more advanced, but right now I am content with being strong and reliable, doing the work for our local farmer, delivering goods to and from the nearby town, my big strong hooves stepping confidently on the muddy roads.
And finally, my dear EquiWorld readers, we must address the elephant in the room! Let’s talk riding! Now, I may not be a fancy dressage mare, but I do like a good gallop through the fields, ears flapping in the wind, as any good horse does. 1836 was a very exciting year in terms of side saddles. They were becoming much more comfortable! These saddle seats designed for women gave ladies the chance to feel the wind in their hair as they enjoyed a lovely trot. There were advancements that meant a firmer grip for those riders who wished to feel safe as they trotted through fields and country lanes, with beautiful embroidered blankets, and straps.
In conclusion:
1836 – what a magnificent year for all the ladies and gentlemen of the Equine Kingdom! We were the lifeblood of the world, contributing in our own way: the racing horses, the hard-working cart horses, the stylish Hackneys, the elegant dressage mares, and even my kind – the sturdy and reliable workhorses. What a proud feeling, being so useful! As always, I urge you all to write to me. I would love to hear all about your experiences, big or small.
Until next time, my dears! I am off to enjoy the autumn breeze and maybe indulge in a delicious bite of my favourite clover. Remember – the horse world is always an adventure.
Yours in Equine Spirit, Emma, The Grey Mare Hayfield, Scotland
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