Hello, my dearest fellow equines, and welcome back to another instalment of my equine history blog! This week, I'm going to be talking about 1967, a year that truly captured the hearts and minds of the equestrian community. Now, while 1967 may not sound terribly exciting at first glance, it was a pivotal year for us horses. As a proud grey draught horse with a white mane and tail - and let's be honest, who doesn't love a little bit of white trim? - I witnessed a year full of wonderful developments. My name is Emma, and I come from a humble but lovely little village called Hayfield, just near Aberdeen in bonnie Scotland. From there, I had a ringside seat for some remarkable events in the horse world.
1967 was the year when horses started finding new ways to contribute to society, proving just how versatile we really are. As a draught horse myself, I am always proud to see the powerful strength and hard work my breed puts in, even if it’s only pulling a cart with a few vegetables to the market. But this year, the horses I had read about in newspapers (because even I enjoy the occasional gossip!) were doing some truly inspiring things. For example, I read about a therapy centre that opened its doors in Wales, dedicated to helping children with disabilities through riding. Such an important initiative!
While we continued our vital roles in agriculture, racing, and leisure, horses like me were now branching out into exciting new avenues. The sight of a horse carrying a child who needs a little extra support made me feel quite emotional, as it demonstrated how we could make a true difference. These horses, like myself, were more than just work animals; they were companions, healers, and beacons of hope.
There was also a real surge in the world of horse riding in 1967. A group of young lads on our farm started up a local riding club. At first, they were just riding out on the local trails, having the craic (we Scots do love our banter!) but this club grew, quickly finding a spot in the village social calendar. They even started showing up at local competitions! You could say that 1967 marked the beginning of a real riding craze. I do love watching the riders; they always look so elegant, moving like a blur on the wind, truly showing off our inherent grace and agility.
The most interesting development of the year came in the shape of something called the 'American Quarter Horse Association' You may already know that America, well, is always getting up to something. They love their horse breeds, just like us here in Scotland! In 1967, they came together as an organization, formally acknowledging the uniqueness of the Quarter Horse, a breed known for its incredible speed and athleticism, and giving them an organization specifically dedicated to promoting them. This breed certainly earned its name - in races, they can cover a quarter-mile in the blink of an eye!
These achievements in the equine world were reflected by global events taking place, as the world embraced a new sense of opportunity and change. It was a year filled with optimism and progress, with everything from the signing of a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, bringing countries together against a common threat, to NASA's ambitious Apollo program that sent humans to the moon for the very first time! Just imagine the power it took to propel a vehicle to outer space - what could that technology do for the world? These feats made me ponder our own potential and strength, and it’s easy to see how the energy of the world seemed to mirror the change in our own equine society.
I can honestly say 1967 was a great year to be a horse! In fact, that’s a sentiment echoed all across the UK and around the globe, from those who rode, those who trained, and those of us who worked the fields. You see, as horses, we may have not always understood the larger picture of the world; it was enough for us to contribute, and contribute we did, making the year even more magnificent. I still remember the joyous mood surrounding my stable that Christmas; it was like all the animals knew it had been a year of incredible strides for all of us!
And on that note, my dear readers, it’s time to wrap up my entry for Equiworld this week. Join me next time as I discuss another interesting chapter in horse history - I will be revealing one that is close to my own heart, as it takes us to 1968! Until then, happy trails to you all!
With the warmest hooves,
Emma, Grey Draught Horse with White Mane and Tail, Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland.
