History of Horses in the year 1918

Hello fellow equines, and welcome to my little corner of the web! I'm Emma, a proud 20-year-old Grey Draught mare from the lovely village of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland.

Now, I know you've probably been wondering - "what's with the strange number?" Well, this post, just like the others, corresponds with the year I'm talking about - 1918! So, get yourselves a comfy bale of hay and get ready for a little trip back in time...

This year has been… intense. You see, our whole world has been plunged into the Great War, a dreadful conflict that seems to stretch on forever. My beloved stablemates - the likes of strong Billy, spirited Bess, and gentle old Maggie - have all felt its impact, whether it be through their service to the war effort or the sheer lack of food and resources it’s brought upon our world.

Here at Hayfield, we're lucky to be tucked away in a little corner of the world. But the whispers of the war come through with the news and with the men who leave, returning changed and battered, with memories I can only imagine. I've seen their expressions - hollow, etched with a grief and a fear I just can’t grasp. Yet, in the face of such devastation, we’ve found strength in each other and in our connection to the earth. We are creatures of nature, after all, built for strength, endurance, and love. And our human companions rely on us - perhaps even more now than before.

Now, back to the exciting (well, kind of exciting!) news from the horse world!

There are millions of horses serving on the battlefields across Europe - transporting supplies, carrying riders, pulling artillery - everything is on the line. Their courage is legendary, their loyalty to their human comrades unquestionable. I've heard tales of bravery from the horses returning from France, tales that stir the spirit and make my hooves tremble with admiration. The bravery of these steeds makes their hardship so much harder to bear - a hardship many of them don’t even return from.

Yet, there's a new, unsettling trend starting. The 'motor-car' - the loud, clunky machines with four wheels - is increasingly being used for transportation. These machines are no match for the elegant gait and enduring power of a horse, but they have their own kind of appeal - they can travel faster and can be used to move cargo over long distances without needing rest or care.

Of course, many of us still stand proudly against the threat of the motorcar. We, with our natural resilience, our deep-rooted love of the earth, and our unbreakable bond with our humans - are here to stay.

Though our role in society is changing, new opportunities arise as we face the changing world. Here at Hayfield, we've seen a lot of development in horsemanship techniques, specifically with the development of the “Natural Horsemanship” movement, a trend focused on understanding the horse's language and applying positive reinforcement methods to training.

These techniques aim to build trust between horses and humans. It involves teaching without brute force, instead working through mutual respect, a more humane approach that recognises our innate intelligence. We all strive to understand the nuanced signals in the human world – a pat on the neck, a change in voice, a pull on the reins – all require an understanding of the mind of the horse. The 'Natural Horsemanship' method teaches humans how to approach us with a soft, respectful hand, understanding our emotions and building trust through patience and gentleness.

Even now, as I munch on my breakfast, the scent of a new foal is in the air. Our trainer, young Thomas, whispers about the importance of this new philosophy in raising this young one, aiming for an empathetic and gentle approach rather than a forceful one.

For us, in 1918, the world is filled with a mixture of grief, change, and anticipation. While the war still rages, the seeds of new ideals are sown in our care, a new hope in our shared world, a future built upon understanding, empathy, and connection. We might be faced with the challenges of new technologies, but I know in my heart, the bond between human and horse – built on trust, respect, and love - is a strong thread, woven deep within the fabric of time.

Though our lives are about to be touched by a whirlwind of change, the timeless connection between horse and human, etched within the fields of time, will forever be there, in every soft snort, every affectionate nuzzle, and every determined stride we take.

Keep your ears up for more on our world here at EquiWorld!

Yours sincerely,

Emma, the Grey Draught