Good morning, fellow equines! Emma here, a grey mare with a heart full of oats and a head full of history. Today I'm taking you back to the year 1898, a year of remarkable change, not just for our kind, but for the world as a whole.
As I write, the crisp Scottish air bites at my muzzle, reminding me of home – Hayfield, near Aberdeen, where I was born and spent my early years. 1898 saw me enter my twenties, the prime of my life, strong and steady with the wisdom of years under my saddle. But let’s journey back, shall we, to those days?
Back then, 1898 was the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. A year for grand celebrations across the nation, even in the quiet corner of Scotland where I called home. People spoke in hushed tones of this magnificent lady, the Queen who had reigned for six decades, her love for our kind legendary! Many, like my dear owner, Mr. Campbell, had even travelled to London to witness the pomp and splendour, returning with tales of regal carriages, adorned with gleaming silver and pulled by magnificent teams of bays.
As for myself, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the festivities here in Aberdeen. I pulled a sturdy farm cart laden with vegetables for the market, returning later that day with sacks of flour and grains for the local baker. A day’s work felt more special than usual, the celebratory atmosphere making every stride feel a little lighter. The air hummed with happiness. Even the gruff old stable hands at the farm, usually a grumpy bunch, shared in the collective spirit with a twinkle in their eyes.
And it wasn't just our own land celebrating. News of the Diamond Jubilee travelled the globe, and across the ocean in the bustling American city of New York, another landmark was being celebrated. The world marvelled at the magnificent construction of a new bridge, named the Brooklyn Bridge, a colossal wonder built for humans to walk and drive upon. It seemed an extraordinary feat, a testament to human ingenuity. I do hope one day our hooves might tread upon such a magnificent bridge too, but that, I suppose, is another story for another time.
Speaking of feats of ingenuity, I must mention the ever-growing use of the "iron horse" in 1898. You've heard me mention the railway, haven’t you? While these mechanical beasts of metal, hauling trains of cargo and people, do a good job moving things about, it cannot compare to the spirit of a well-trained team of horses!
The railways did, however, have their part to play in our lives. They enabled us, both in harness and for riding, to carry supplies to build those trains themselves! Many of our kind were brought by train, for example, from across the Scottish Highlands to the industrial heartland of England to build new factories and power plants. We carried everything – iron, steel, timber, brick, and stone – for the grand work that the railways demanded.
And just as the steam engines were bringing our country closer together, our lives as horses continued to change too. As the world of mechanisation continued to spread, harness horses, like me, were in higher demand. The need for faster and efficient transportation meant that pulling carriages for delivery, or moving goods for businesses, had become vital in the larger towns and cities.
You wouldn't believe the incredible progress in the way humans train us! Back in the days of my childhood, a rough hand and a firm voice was the norm. But today, kindness and a gentle word seem to have become more favoured.
This year saw the invention of what the humans call "The American Coaching Whip." While I haven’t yet felt its sting, it looks to be much less severe than the whips of old, more of a tool to guide than to punish. Thankfully! Now, while we still have to carry heavy loads and perform long tasks, our lives are becoming safer and easier!
Of course, for our equine brethren working in the mines, it is still a tough existence. Working in the darkness, hauling loads of coal out from beneath the earth is no easy task, but they are strong, enduring souls, much like myself.
But there's much more to our lives than simply working, isn’t there? This year, many of my kind were chosen for sporting events like racing, shows, and hunting. My cousin, a fiery chestnut mare named Maisie, lives a life of pure luxury in the highlands. She's a part of a well-respected hunting pack and her stories of exhilarating gallops across the hills make my hooves tremble!
The world of sport was not just a source of entertainment. The breeding of new races and training methods were continually evolving, striving for bigger, stronger, and swifter steeds! We, horses, are an essential part of these noble pursuits, demonstrating our spirit, courage, and athleticism to humans who love and appreciate us.
However, as much as we adapt, and progress happens, there's also a need for reflection. As we face these changes, and the increasing presence of the iron horse, it's important to remember why humans rely upon us so.
We, the horses, bring something more than speed or strength. We bring loyalty, companionship, a bond that stretches far beyond mere labour. We are intelligent, with minds keen to understand the desires and intentions of those who choose to share their lives with us.
As I look back over the past years, I see progress, innovation, and the evolving roles of us horses. But I also see the enduring strength of that human-animal connection – the respect for each other's strengths, and a love that continues to unite our hearts despite the changes of the world.
I hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into my life and our world. Until next time, may your oats be sweet, your stables be warm, and your hooves always be strong!
Emma, the grey mare with the white tail.
Hayfield, Aberdeen, Scotland.
