Hello everyone! Emma here, your favourite grey mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen. Today, I'm taking you on a trip through time, back to the year 1870, a year brimming with excitement and change in the world of horses.
Remember, it’s not all about the grand races or the fancy carriages. Even in the year 1870, a humble workhorse like me could play a part in shaping history, one sturdy hoof at a time.
The air in Hayfield that spring was crisp and full of the promise of the new season. I was a young mare then, a proud twenty years old, with a thick mane and tail that flowed like silver silk. The morning sun painted my coat with a golden glow as I stood in the stable, listening to the sounds of life - the rhythmic click of my fellow horses' hooves on the cobblestones, the cheerful chatter of the farmhands as they prepared for the day ahead.
We were all a bit excited, as every year this time, we were preparing for the Hayfield Agricultural Show. The show wasn't just about ribbons and judges - it was a celebration of the land, a gathering of farmers and their families, and of course, a chance for horses like myself to show our strength and resilience.
This year, though, something felt different. There was a buzz in the air, a new kind of energy. People spoke of a strange, metal contraption called a “locomotive,” that had started pulling wagons in places far away. The idea seemed preposterous at the time - how could metal outshine the power of a good horse?
Yet, that new invention felt like a whisper of change. Change, of course, could be daunting, but it also held a flicker of possibility. Would this change bring about the end of the horse? The very idea was as foreign to me as the thought of metal birds carrying messages across the sky!
Still, I wasn't too concerned. We horses were bred for strength and stamina. We could carry loads and till fields, work for hours under the scorching sun or through driving rain. No machine could ever replace the spirit of a horse, the intelligence of a horse, or the unwavering loyalty of a horse.
As the year progressed, the news of this new technology, these locomotives, started to spread. At first, it was just rumours, then murmurs of disquiet amongst our equine community. There was a growing anxiety about the unknown. But then came a turning point - the year 1870 saw the first trials of these machines on local tracks, replacing the need for a certain number of horses for transportation.
As I watched from afar, I felt a tug at my heart. The world was changing. It was happening faster than I could ever have imagined, but as much as I wished to deny the changes, I knew that my life as a horse would change with it. The world had embraced new methods before, and we had adapted. This change too would bring with it both challenges and opportunities.
Across the Equine World:
While Hayfield, our humble corner of the world, was slowly awakening to the implications of this new machine, the wider world of horses was bustling with life. In London, they held the world's biggest equestrian event, the Great Yorkshire Show, attracting horses from across the country.
In the racing world, they were starting to talk about the use of “bar shoes”, specially shaped horseshoes, for racing horses. They claimed they increased speed. While I was a draught horse, the tales of racing horses and their fierce competition always reached Hayfield, making me long to be on the track, feeling the wind in my mane as I dashed through the fields.
Beyond London, the world of horses in 1870 had a life of its own. The Highland Games in Scotland continued to celebrate horse power and strength, showcasing some of the finest steeds. It wasn't all glamour and shows though - in some regions, horse drawn ambulances were becoming more commonplace. These gallant horses played a vital role in transporting those who were injured or ill, even traversing treacherous terrain to save lives.
1870 saw the first trials of "Horse Cars," horse-drawn streetcars in the United States. While it sounded impressive to me, I'm afraid this was news we only learned of later. News didn't travel very fast back in 1870. I think about these “horse cars” now and can’t help but smile; It's fascinating to imagine horses bustling through cities, serving a different purpose than we did in our quiet Hayfield, yet contributing just the same to their community.
Back in Hayfield, though, the excitement surrounding the agricultural show was a much more familiar feeling. The farmers, excited for a good season, worked hard to train their horses and prepare them for the events. The children of the village were especially enthusiastic about the day, running around in excitement as the farm animals were carefully prepped and brought out.
The Hayfield Agricultural Show that year was grand, but the shadows of the upcoming change seemed to linger. As I competed in the heavy horse events, I could almost sense a new kind of quiet among the farmers. It was a recognition, a kind of awareness of the potential change on the horizon. I'm sure no one knew for certain what the future held, but something about that day felt different. The spirit of progress, of change, hung in the air, much like the scent of freshly ploughed earth on a warm summer day.
This year, I also witnessed something new – a travelling horse trainer. A handsome gentleman named Thomas came through Hayfield, showing farmers and their families how to tame, train, and ride horses using kind, respectful techniques. While I knew most of this already, I found his methods charming and his enthusiasm for horses contagious. He encouraged everyone to look beyond the use of horses and find beauty in the connection between horse and rider. He said it was not only about what a horse can do but also about how you interact with him, how you build trust. He inspired people to cherish the connection.
It was as if he could sense the uncertainty in our equine world and offered a kind of solace, a reminder of the special connection between man and horse that existed long before those strange, steam-powered contraptions started to show up.
With Thomas as our guest, the atmosphere of the village changed, the uncertainty in the air became hope for the future, even in the face of the changing world around us. I found that there was much still to learn.
The year ended as it always had - with a beautiful sunset painting the sky in hues of fiery orange and pink, and a calm silence that descended upon Hayfield, as if the world were taking a deep breath in preparation for another year to come. The year 1870, like any other, was full of its joys, and yes, it brought challenges. It was a year that taught us to embrace change with a steady heart and a willing spirit. That's what I tell myself when I look back to the memories of that year, as we, horses all over the world, embraced change and held our ground, our presence unchanged in the world, for even with the metal bird and the steam-powered machine of the changing world, the horse still reigns strong.
Emma here, signing off. Thank you for joining me on this journey back in time! As the winds of change blow through the world of horses, let us remember that the spirit of the horse will never be replaced. And don't forget to visit us here at www.equiworld.org - a website for all things equine! Until next time, keep your hooves happy!
