My name is Emma, and I'm a twenty-year-old grey mare with a snowy white mane and tail, living a fulfilling life in the heart of Hayfield, near the bustling city of Aberdeen. Now, I may not have thumbs to type this blog, but a young lass called Elspeth, whose family cares for me, is happy to write my words down for all of Equiworld to read.
I'm particularly excited to share my thoughts on 1844, a year that has felt both familiar and decidedly different in Hayfield.
Firstly, let's start with the familiar - our routine! I rise with the dawn, graze the rich pastures, and work hard all day with my fellow horses, assisting in the farming and hauling. Life here is predictable, as the seasons roll in and out. We work in the fields, drawing ploughs, pulling wagons full of harvested crops, and transporting goods to market. A good life, I can tell you, particularly when you have such wonderful companions like the other horses.
But, 1844 brought with it some interesting developments. Elspeth was reading in the evening, as she always does, and she mentioned that they are talking about trains, huge iron horses that can carry many people at incredible speeds, travelling over rails! She said these "trains" have even started running in London, and the newspapers talk about how quickly they will travel across the land, linking cities and towns in ways that have never been possible before. She said it was quite a wondrous thing, but I, having only ever known the natural rhythm of my hooves on the earth, was slightly baffled. Still, it did feel like the winds of change were blowing through our country.
This year, we also noticed the arrival of something new: steam engines! A few weeks ago, a lumbering behemoth with pistons and gears was brought to the local mill. While it looks ungainly and almost comical to our horses' eyes, we quickly learned that these "iron beasts" can power a mill with surprising force. Elspeth said they even use them to power ships now, which would make them even faster than sailboats. Honestly, it makes me dizzy to think of it, but it certainly seems as though our world is shifting on its axis!
It’s not all newfangled machinery though, for in Hayfield we remain firmly rooted in the traditions of the horse. We've recently welcomed several new foals into our herd, including a mischievous bay stallion named Rory. He's all gangly legs and nervous energy, always trying to keep up with the older horses, and is just learning how to pull a cart, with a young boy holding the reins as his guide.
These new foals remind us all of our duty, which is to teach them everything we know. To pass on the skills and wisdom of our kind, showing them the proper way to stand, the best places to graze, and how to navigate the trails and paths in Hayfield. We share the history of our horses, tales of mighty stallions pulling carts filled with jewels, the horses who pulled chariots for emperors, and even those who served the king in battle. We teach them about the respect and care we owe to our human companions and how we must be their strong, silent partners.
Of course, life isn't all work and no play! There are also the social gatherings! I enjoy these occasions very much - a time for a little gossip and the latest news, a gentle rub against the fence, a friendly whinny or two. They also allow the foals to socialize with their peers, practice their manners, and learn to behave like good, strong, horses.
There are moments I feel a twinge of sadness thinking about how technology may come to take over many of our traditional tasks. I see the townsfolk now talking about how these steam-powered engines could perhaps eventually replace the need for so many draught horses in cities, and this makes me slightly anxious for our future. We know how vital we are, especially here in Hayfield where we carry so much responsibility for the success of our community. Still, as the wise old mare Daisy always says, “Let’s focus on today, my dear Emma, and keep doing what we know best – working hard, pulling our weight, and reminding everyone of the true power of a strong horse!”
Now, this brings me to something quite exciting! My fellow mare, Willow, a bay with a fiery spirit and the ability to leap over anything, just mentioned a competition being held in nearby Banff next week. It’s a big show, featuring various equine displays and competitions, where skilled horsemen and women will put our abilities on show. They'll be competing in racing, showjumping, and even dressage - a peculiar dance where humans sit on our backs, but all the while, we are still in charge of showing off our grace and control.
This year, it was decided that I will compete in the Heavy Horse Pulling contest! The idea is that a strong pair of horses must work together to haul a large, heavy weight a certain distance in a designated time. Now, I must admit, I was initially rather hesitant. After all, a good draught horse thrives on its ability to carry, pull, and work steadily – it is the backbone of a community. To compete in such a feat feels… well, almost frivolous!
However, I couldn't say no to Willow's spirited encouragement. She reminds me that “We may be workhorses, Emma, but that doesn't mean we can't also be show horses! We get to show our strength, our teamwork, and maybe even earn ourselves a little fame in the process!” So, now I find myself preparing for the grand competition! I'm honing my pulling techniques with the local blacksmith, making sure my shoes are well-groomed and polished for the grand event.
What else is new in Hayfield? Well, a lovely farmer from the next village is expecting a visit from a famous scientist - a fellow with a rather remarkable name: John Ruskin. Apparently, this Ruskin fellow admires horses very much and travels all over the land to study them! Now, we all know there's something particularly fascinating about our noble breed, but the idea of someone wanting to study us in such detail is just… Well, It gives us all something to think about, I suppose!
As we finish this entry in my Equiworld Blog, it feels fitting to say this: Even though our world is rapidly changing around us, the importance of the horse in our community remains steadfast. Whether we are helping with farm work, hauling supplies to market, or even showcasing our power at a grand competition, we continue to play a crucial role in the lives of those around us. And for that, I feel a sense of great pride. I hope I have shared my experiences well, dear Elspeth. Thank you for lending me your voice once more.
Until next time, friends of Equiworld!
Yours in Hoof,
Emma
