By Emma, Hayfield, Scotland
Hello fellow equines, readers, and those who love a good hoof-beat! I’m Emma, a twenty-year-old grey draught horse with a white mane and tail. I’m from Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen in bonnie Scotland, where I share a paddock with three of my fellow workhorses, as well as a gaggle of playful foals.
And this year, 1867, feels truly extraordinary! I can sense a change in the wind, a buzzing excitement that fills the air. It’s not just the approaching spring, my friends, it’s a time of change and discovery for us horses, a shift in our role in the world.
Let me tell you, 1867 has already been an eventful year. The snow melted a month ago, bringing with it the first sniff of green grass, a taste of spring sunshine and a chance for us to stretch our legs in the fields. The air is a chorus of birdsong, and a symphony of insects buzz about us as we graze contentedly.
But while our paddock might seem like a peaceful haven, the world outside has been abuzz with news and changes.
A World in Transition: The Steam Horse
One word on everyone’s lips, from farmer to blacksmith, is “Steam.” I see this change firsthand - the clanging of metal on metal in the blacksmith's shop, a new engine belching smoke in the field where the old cart horse used to be. A machine, a marvel, but also a shadow on my kind.
They call it the “Steam Horse”, this monstrous, iron contraption. I watch them huff and puff, hauling carts with a force beyond my wildest dreams. And while some folk marvel, others fear its arrival. My human friends in the village whisper about their worries for our kind, how soon will this iron beast replace our jobs.
Yet, my friends, do not despair. Even with these mighty machines in our midst, I sense we are not replaced. We still hold a vital role in our world, not just for pulling the ploughs, but for our heart and spirit. They cannot imitate that bond between horse and man.
From Work Horse to Sporting Hero:
Just last week, my human friends, who work at the local inn, spoke of a great new event in the city. An "Agricultural Society” will host a grand event at a place they call "Royal Ascot," and they say it's all about us horses! A spectacle, they called it.
Apparently, this event showcases horses who can run, jump, and dance to a specific pattern! This sounds both exciting and curious. I have seen the horses of the local cavalry, their coats glistening as they charge through the field, a symphony of hoofs and whistles. But a 'dancing horse' seems like a delightful curiosity! Perhaps they'll let me join this "spectacle", I long to show the world my own agility, a ballet of sorts.
A Race to Remember:
And another thrilling event! The talk is of a race across a distance I've never imagined, from Edinburgh all the way to London, and that is 400 miles, my dear readers, four hundred miles!
They speak of this great event in awestruck whispers, for it requires extraordinary endurance, and that's something we horses are known for, I proudly say. It reminds me that, yes, there are challenges in our life, but also extraordinary journeys to take!
A Horseman's Dream
And as the world keeps turning, I have found my own small dream for this year 1867. There's a handsome chestnut gelding from the village, a fiery fellow called Thomas, whose eyes I've caught over the fields. He's a bit shy, I have to say, and with that gentle brown look that gets my heart beating a little faster. Maybe this is the year our paths truly cross and he sees me, beyond a simple working horse.
A Year for Wonder:
This year, 1867, is already brimming with promise. From the rise of steam, to grand events and racing tales, I see a future brimming with change for us horses. But I have hope, for even in this evolving world, we horses will remain, a symbol of strength, spirit, and dedication, as much for our humans, as for ourselves.
Until next time, fellow horses, I urge you to enjoy the sun on your backs, the feel of the earth under your hooves and the breeze on your faces. For in this beautiful world, our future is still bright, even with the rise of the Steam Horse. Stay strong, be bold, and remember to live your equine dreams, every hoof-step of the way.
Yours truly,
Emma
Hayfield, Scotland
