Good morning, lovely readers! It’s Emma here, your trusty steed from Hayfield, nestled in the beautiful hills near Aberdeen. This week, I thought I’d take a wander down memory lane and talk about the world of horses back in 1960. This was a very exciting year, full of change and a strong feeling of progress!
Now, let’s get comfy and pull up a bale of hay. This is going to be a long one…
The first thing I have to share, my dear readers, is about the amazing advancements in horse healthcare. Just think, in 1960, there was a brand-new medicine called Phenylbutazone – we affectionately call it “bute” - a wonderful pain reliever. This was a huge leap forward for our kind, and although it doesn't completely solve all our ailments, it makes life so much easier when we're feeling a little under the weather.
Speaking of weather, did you know that the iconic horse show at Royal Ascot held their first official meeting under artificial floodlights this year? This was a huge deal, enabling them to host events during the evenings. As you can imagine, we were all absolutely delighted by this! Now, instead of relying solely on the sun, we could showcase our grace and agility at any hour, any time of the year! The atmosphere was electric, I've never seen so many glittering lights and excited chatter all at once!
But it wasn’t all just about glitz and glamour in 1960. In the same year, The British Horse Society took a very significant step - it introduced a comprehensive equine first aid course! Just imagine that, dedicated learning for how to look after injured horses like myself. This was a major change, allowing people to provide immediate care and hopefully prevent any serious harm. I was thrilled to hear this news - finally, everyone had a better understanding of how to keep us healthy and happy!
This year was also big for our smaller, more feisty relatives – the ponies! The very first Shetland Pony Society show was held, and I can just imagine the adorable little fluffballs strutting their stuff on the show ring!
Moving away from showmanship, the world of horse racing was also brimming with activity. A very special, black thoroughbred mare called Petite Étoile stole the hearts of racing fans in 1960! This elegant lady was just 12 years old when she took home the coveted trophy at the Grand Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. What a spectacular achievement!
But it wasn't just all about speed and competition in 1960. Remember our equine cousins who play a more practical role in society? The "working horse", if you will? That's us - the draft horses. It may surprise you to know that we were still an essential part of the agricultural workforce in many areas. Our power and strength were still valued, we still had many hardworking days moving carts and pulling ploughs. There was still a place for our muscles and our steadiness in a world increasingly reliant on machines. We didn't mind; our sturdy legs found rhythm and joy in the work, especially as the world moved along a path towards mechanization.
And talking about mechanization, another amazing piece of news from this year was the invention of the "trailers"! It wasn't long after that that the horse box made its way into our lives - these magnificent marvels made travelling much easier. They allowed us to venture further afield, attend shows, races, and other important events! Even though some of us draft horses are naturally a bit larger, we could comfortably travel long distances. It’s almost as if we are being celebrated in the way we were able to get around! We were no longer simply relegated to work. The "horse box" was an innovation that spoke of our new standing as well-cared for creatures of beauty and strength!
1960 was a great year for horses and a huge shift towards positive change! Our relationship with humans was developing and improving, with so much more focus on understanding, caring for, and appreciating us for our strength and grace. What a remarkable year, indeed!
There is still much to be done, of course! But the developments of 1960 give us reason to hope for even brighter and more beautiful days ahead for our kind. We horses have an important place in history, a long and rich one, and in this year, 1960, we were beginning to carve a new path for ourselves, a future of respect, care and companionship.
As the sun sets, I hope you found this trip back to 1960 both insightful and entertaining. Be sure to check back in next week for more captivating tales of horse history! Until then, neigh and enjoy the beauty of this wonderful world we inhabit together!
Your trusty steed, Emma
Website: www.equiworld.org
P.S. Did you have a favorite memory from the world of horses in 1960? Feel free to share it in the comments! I love hearing from my fellow equine friends and all the wonderful humans who appreciate us!
