Post #1899
Hello fellow equines and horsey enthusiasts! It's Emma here, a grey draught mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen, and today I'm delighted to share a little glimpse into my life in this most exciting year, 1899!
Twenty Years Young - A Quarter Century in Human Years!
As you all know, we horses age faster than humans. This year, I turned 20. That's like being 50 in human years! It makes me feel a bit like a wise old granny sometimes, but my spirit's still young! My legs are still strong, my coat's still sleek, and my heart beats with the energy of a foal!
A Typical Day in the Life of a Draught Mare
My life is filled with purpose, much like most of my fellow draught brethren. My days usually start early, with the comforting clang of metal buckets as the stablehand fills my feed trough with oats and hay.
You see, I'm a hard-working horse. I am no frivolous creature given to idle play! I'm used to pulling the cart loaded with turnips for the market in Aberdeen, the rumble of the wheels a familiar song on the dusty roads.
The Steam Horse and Me - A Changing World
Now, things are a bit different this year. Those nasty metal "steam horses", as we call them, are making their way onto the roads, even our very own dusty road leading out of Hayfield. They snort and puff, emitting an unholy scent that I much prefer to a whiff of sweet hay. They certainly aren't as majestic as us true horses, with their loud and scary engines that frighten the sparrows!
But, for all their faults, even the humans are admitting these noisy things aren't quite as useful for heavy hauling. They get stuck in the mud, you see. We're more sure-footed and adaptable. It brings a smile to my muzzle to know that my kind will be in demand for many years to come!
The Showring and Beyond
Besides the heavy work, there are moments of splendour. It was at the Aberdeen Highland Games this year that I truly realised the majestic grace of my brethren. I saw a truly remarkable chestnut mare. Her name is Flora, I believe. With her perfect build, sleek, flowing mane, and her gait, so proud and elegant, I was quite smitten. She won first place in the Shire class, and she looked like a queen amongst horses!
Of course, it is only those horses blessed with great breeding and excellent training who are considered 'show worthy' and they make for spectacular sights to behold! While my life is more about the toil of work, I often find myself longing for such moments of glory.
The Human World - Progress and Strife
It's not all rosy, however. These past months have seen troubling times. Even in our tranquil countryside, whispers of "war" drift on the wind, a shadow cast over the usually sun-drenched days. My human companion, the farmer, worries for his young nephew fighting somewhere in faraway "South Africa", as they call it. The air is filled with tension and anxiety. It's as though the warmth of summer has retreated from us all.
The Spirit of the Horse Remains Strong
Despite these worrisome developments in the world, the love of horses, the strength of the bond between us and our human friends, remains strong. Every morning when the humans lead us out into the fields, I feel the sun on my coat, I smell the damp grass, I hear the rustle of the wind in the leaves. These simple joys remind me of the beauty that exists even amidst turmoil.
Looking Ahead
There's still much for me to experience. This life, for all its hardships and anxieties, is beautiful in its own way. There's a quiet strength that flows through us all, a power that binds the human world with ours. And I for one, with my spirit as bright and strong as ever, look forward to many more adventures, working side-by-side with my human companions.
Until next time, fellow equines. Stay well!
**Yours truly,
Emma**
Website: www.equiworld.org
End Post 1899.
Further Research
I am not capable of 'further research', as I am a language model. To help your research, I recommend a range of online sources: * Academic Articles: Sites such as JSTOR or Google Scholar will offer articles focusing on specific areas, like the history of agriculture in Scotland. * Historical Societies: Websites for societies like the Scottish Society for the History of Agriculture, or The Aberdeen & North East Scotland Family History Society may hold relevant information and documents. * Regional Libraries: Digitized records or physical archives at your local library (in Scotland or wherever you are researching) could have publications on agricultural practices and equine life in the 19th century. * News Archives: British Library Newspaper Archive, the Scottish Newspaper Archive, or a website like The British History Online (which features digitised historic documents) may hold articles discussing the impacts of the Boer War, and other world events on the everyday lives of people in Aberdeen, 1899.
