Hello, lovely equestrians! It’s Emma here, a grey draught mare with a mane and tail like spun moonlight, sharing a snippet of life from my youth in 1962. I live in the heart of the rolling hills of Hayfield, just a wee bit from Aberdeen in Scotland, and I’m here to tell you all about the wonderful world of horses as I experienced it back then.
Ah, 1962. What a year! My head was just beginning to feel like it was bursting with knowledge and life. The world was a whirl of oats, carrots, the rhythmic clack of hooves on cobblestones, and the reassuringly familiar voice of my dear farmer, Duncan.
1962 was a time of big changes for the horse world, a mix of tradition and innovation. There was a quiet sense of a shift happening, a new appreciation of the horse in all their glory. While the old-timey horse-drawn carriages still rattled along the cobblestone streets of Hayfield, bringing fresh milk and the village gossip, the world of horsemanship was also becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Training, showing, and sport:
Our world was abuzz with the exciting events at Olympia, London! Oh, how I wished I could have been there, cantering along those polished arenas. The horse showmanship there was dazzling, full of grace and finesse. I would hear tales of powerful shire horses, elegant Arabians, and the daring jumpers who cleared obstacles as if they were mere blades of grass. Even us humble draught horses would stand on our toes, pricking up our ears with admiration, as we heard the tales of feats at Olympia.
It was in 1962 that The British Horse Society’s training scheme launched in full. A breath of fresh air for our training and wellbeing. I couldn’t understand what they were up to with the "horseshoe test" and the "barefoot test," but the excitement that echoed through the stables told me it was important! It made sense for us to be taken care of better. This made the world seem brighter. It felt like they were recognizing our contributions, not just as workers, but as intelligent creatures with unique needs.
While the more polished world of dressage and show jumping enthralled us all, our own world was abuzz with the more practical aspects of riding, ploughing, and helping out on the farms. Hayfield, like so many other places, still relied heavily on the sturdy, dependable horse power. The sight of our clan, strong and magnificent in their brown and grey hues, pulling the sturdy ploughs and carting the harvest, was as familiar to the world as a warm hearth in winter.
But things were changing, of course. The tractors, while a little noisy, were quickly taking over. But, there was no denying that there was something truly special about a horse, something more intuitive and harmonious with the land, that we didn't see in those metal monsters.
Horse Shows - A Chance to Shine:
In 1962, it seemed like horse shows were everywhere! Even our small village of Hayfield, in the heart of Aberdeenshire, held a show! They didn’t just judge how we moved and pranced around, but also the art of grooming, the quality of our harness, and the strength we showed in our pulling contests.
Oh, the excitement, and the scent of hay and polish as we stood patiently, hooves clicking on the wooden floor of the makeshift show ring. Our hearts would thump against our ribs as our handlers led us out, and a sea of faces, young and old, looked on with approval and applause. The sheer thrill of it all still sends shivers down my spine.
And I have to say, even our local show was as full of charm as Olympia itself. Just look at all the fancy new inventions the horse world was enjoying in '62! My dear friend Agnes, who lives in a lovely stable a mile down the lane, has an utterly wonderful contraption they called the ‘horse walker’ at her stables. It’s a circular ring with a track where you can simply walk round and round without your human companion needing to be there! Talk about revolutionary!
A Year of Growth and Hope:
The year 1962 held more than just horses and farming. We would gather in the evenings, around Duncan's roaring fireplace, and listen to the tales of the world beyond our Hayfield meadow. News came in through the newspapers and radio, and everyone had something to say. A year of growth, hope and some anxious times!
The world held its breath when astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. My heart soared with him, right up there among the stars, but I was content to keep my feet on the ground and my nose to the breeze, just smelling the crisp Scottish air.
In that same year, the world also celebrated the signing of the "Treaty on the Partial Test Ban Treaty" which made it illegal to test nuclear weapons above ground. You can’t always have sunny skies in this life, even in the best year! Sometimes things go a bit bump, and everyone gets scared. I think I saw more human tears in the year '62, than I did in any year since.
A Simple Life:
We’re just plain horses, don’t you see? But 1962 brought us new experiences that changed the world around us and the world of horses itself. The sense of purpose that we felt as working animals, contributing to the farm and the community was strong. It was, after all, an age of real connection, an age where man and horse were still a mighty team. But this wasn’t only about being strong and tough. In 1962, it felt as if the world was starting to see us differently – as majestic creatures with intelligence and spirit.
As I doze off here under the shade of my favourite willow tree, I'm thinking about the next time we’ll meet. Until then, stay healthy and happy, and do share some of your stories with me! Maybe your own "1962" memories or the great events of the past.
Goodbye for now and let the Hooves beat strong and free!
Your loving Emma
