"A Year of Progress: Through the Eyes of a Draught Horse"
*Posted: *2nd January 2023
*By: *Emma, Grey Draught Mare, Hayfield, near Aberdeen
A happy new year to all you horse lovers out there! As we start a new year, I thought it was time for a little reflection on the one just past – 1839. A busy year, full of change, and as always, filled with the thrill and the joy of being a horse!
For me, a big, strong grey draught horse, 1839 started much like any other, out on the fields with my fellow farm horses. I wake up with the sunrise, our hay is changed every day, and my master John treats us all with a delicious warm mash in the mornings - always a welcome treat! John has been my master for three years now, a kind man who knows what we need, and respects each of us for our talents.
The days roll by much the same - tending the fields, carrying the farm's produce to market, sometimes helping with the heavier farm work. I love feeling the sun on my coat as I pull the plough, or the wind in my mane as I haul hay in a wagon. There’s something special about feeling the connection between yourself, your master, and the earth, all working in harmony. We all have a purpose here, and we all take our role with pride.
Now, you might be thinking, “That sounds awfully mundane for such a momentous year as 1839,” and you might be right! But to be honest, here in Hayfield, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire, we don’t always feel the dramatic shifts of the wider world. Yet, we are part of it nonetheless, and even in our little world, we can sense a subtle change, an exciting undercurrent, an undeniable “something in the air”.
For one, whispers of new technologies reach our ears. I’ve heard talk of a “steam horse,” a wondrous creature said to be made of iron and fire, that can pull carriages across the land with great speed. Imagine! No more long, hard journeys by horse, just whooshing through the air like the wind! But the whispers say these iron horses are still fragile, and a horse's strength and stamina remains necessary, for now at least.
Of course, we hear news of the world, of course! A network of information passes through our stables in the form of gossip and news from travelling merchants, tradesmen, and visitors from further afield. And through them, the world comes to us! I have learned so much!
For example, I learned about the “Anti-Corn Law League,” formed in Manchester just last year in 1838. It’s a movement of people who believe in fairer prices for bread. You see, many folk are suffering from food scarcity, and they say the laws concerning grain are too restrictive, making it expensive to buy. This movement seems to have gripped the nation with excitement. Our masters even mention the League in the evenings by the fire!
And then there’s news from the continent, a far-off world to me. France is bustling, full of revolutions, a changing landscape with different philosophies. Our travelling merchants mention a grand "National Workshop” - a place that will be designed to teach folks the new ways and build new lives after the upheaval of 1848. This reminds me of a time when even horses were subject to such shifts – when new ideas about breeds were developing and new roles for horses emerged around the world!
Of course, here in our world, change moves at a different pace, though 1839 brought some changes that are very much affecting my world!
Perhaps the most exciting development was the start of “The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland Show,” a grand celebration held every year, starting right here in Aberdeen in 1839! Farmers, tradesmen, all come to see and learn from each other, but most excitingly - from each other’s horses! They gather here with their prized stallions, strong and handsome, mares with foals at their hooves. They’re admired, judged, and even auctioned off to eager buyers from across the country! Imagine the spectacle, the crowds, the bustling marketplace, the pride and excitement. To be a part of it all…well, a horse’s life couldn’t be much grander!
It is at such grand occasions that we are reminded that the future of the horse lies in the skill and talent of the breeders! My own mother was a grey draught mare, bred by the very best! Her ancestors came from the “Clyde” valley, known for their strength and their beautiful colours. They pull heavy wagons and carts with ease! They have a calmness that keeps me grounded, an important quality that comes in handy when pulling ploughs across tough fields, or hauling heavy logs through mud. It's this quality that the show’s judges seek out!
Here in Hayfield, we keep busy, our lives are a consistent rhythm of work, rest, and nourishment, and it’s the rhythm that keeps horses like me strong and productive. But there’s an undeniable spirit in the air, a growing awareness that our world is constantly changing, and that our skills will be required in these ever-shifting tides of human history.
One last thought – I see news reaching our farm from further south, a strange world where new fashions arise every week! This "London" seems a strange place, but full of life. In 1839 they are wearing a "pelisse,” a type of long coat with rich fabric that is fashionable to all women and even fashionable for children as well. Perhaps that’s why the people around here speak so highly of “English fashions,” it’s what we can see the wealthy women in Aberdeen wear. I often think of what those places must be like…all these changes!
Until next time, dear readers, remember that you don’t have to be a stallion to leave your mark on the world. A strong draught horse like me can make a big impact too. I'll be sure to share my thoughts and stories of the changes I’m experiencing in future blogs – until then, stay strong and neigh!
Emma.
*P.S. Have you experienced any interesting changes in your horse world? Tell me about it! Please comment below! *
*End of Blog Post. *
