History of Horses in the year 1909

"My Life As A Draught Horse, Hayfield 1909: A Year of Work and Wonder"

Good morning, everyone! It's Emma here, and what a year it has been! The year 1909 – well, let me tell you, I feel like I've truly blossomed as a mare.

I come from Hayfield, a beautiful, rolling countryside near Aberdeen, Scotland, and even though I've spent most of my life pulling carts, I can't help but feel a sense of pride knowing I contribute to the livelihood of our community. My magnificent grey coat, topped with my pristine white mane and tail, makes me stand out among the other draught horses, but I’ll admit it, I sometimes wish I was a little smaller, lighter, like those beautiful chestnut mares with their elegant movement.

Oh, but to think like that is a dangerous path! I wouldn't trade being a powerful, dependable draught horse for all the racecourses in the world. I’m just grateful to be able to do what I love – pulling, carrying, and helping those who depend on us!

It's been a fascinating year for all of us here in Hayfield. And I must tell you about a few exciting events.

First off, there's the Highland Games. A week of boisterous fun! This is where you see the real pride and strength of the Scottish spirit – kilts, music, dancing, and, of course, heavy events for the strong lads and powerful horses! The strongmen show off their skill and might with their “throws,” but we, the horses, put on quite a show of our own!

I have to admit, I rather like the heavy events! Nothing like the feeling of tugging a great stone or hauling a wagon brimming with hay, a true test of our strength. The Games have this peculiar and magical atmosphere, a blend of rugged wilderness and traditional festivity. I even managed to grab a few tasty treats from the crowd!

Our year has been especially exciting with a major landmark on the world stage – a big, beautiful exhibition being held right here in Scotland! The Royal International Horticultural Exhibition held in Edinburgh last year and this year is in London! The show has been bringing the whole world of gardens and flowers to these cities, along with all manner of other exciting displays! What a wonderful event. And even though my work is firmly on the farm, I've heard snippets of stories, as many folks have been visiting the exhibition before returning home, sharing all they’ve learned about the latest methods of agriculture. This excitement makes me feel a part of a wider world!

Now, I know you're wondering what this means for horses, right? This is what’s changing everything! The folks are learning more and more about making agriculture efficient – with proper training and careful care, even stronger, sturdier, and faster horses are being produced, even the "Arab" horses – I have heard tell they can go incredibly fast! All that’s changing everything we do, every day, how we work the land! We've been discussing how this might even help with making farm tasks easier for all of us. We have even heard whispers of machines to assist us with some jobs. Oh, my! Is this good, or is it the start of a decline for horses? I’ll let you all know more in future blogs when we learn more about how things are changing.

This year has brought with it the great thrill of a city visit! Of course, it wouldn't be a “horse experience” without the occasional carriage ride, and this year was my lucky turn. With a well-built cart and my reliable coachman, James, I set off on a grand journey to Aberdeen, a magnificent, bustling city by the sea! The sounds, the smells, and the sights – it was a whirl of excitement! People and carriages seemed to flow like an endless stream, and even I felt a pang of pride when folks glanced in my direction, murmuring words of admiration!

It was hard work pulling the heavy carriages for long distances, and navigating crowded streets was a task I truly appreciated! I think every horse has an innate respect for the sheer number of legs, carriages, and human faces we encounter in bustling cities! This was followed by the city’s own annual Horse Show, a chance for us to shine amongst other working horses and even have a chance to rest up under a shed. That’s a truly wonderful treat!

So, how is my world evolving with time? That's something I've been pondering upon. I have heard from old Dobbin that the world was once simpler. Back in his day, horses were pretty much the only means of transport, even for folks travelling miles. I imagine those days were exciting too – exploring unknown territory. But nowadays, these sleek, modern inventions – I believe they are called motor cars! – are becoming quite common, though still only in the towns and cities. A motor car? Oh, I must find out more. They are truly remarkable inventions!

As for me, my heart and soul are truly devoted to farm life, but I find the stories about the wider world endlessly fascinating! It's exciting to think about these machines, the progress being made in our world. But – it's something I still don’t fully comprehend.

These modern machines, they're quite something! But, I believe they're more a way to broaden horizons, explore faster, travel farther, and open up a world of new possibilities! In many ways, our work might be changing, but this just means horses have more opportunity to evolve, to show their worth in new and unique ways. It feels like the beginning of a new era for us! I feel there are many wonderful stories to come!

So, that's life in Hayfield for 1909, a year filled with hard work and the joy of knowing my work makes a real difference to the community around me!