Written by Emma, Grey Draught Mare from Hayfield, Near Aberdeen
Hello, lovely friends of the Equiworld community!
As a grey draught mare with a mane and tail as white as freshly fallen snow, my perspective on the world is a bit different than, say, a thoroughbred racer. While I admire the speed and agility of those nimble creatures, there's a quiet contentment to the life of a strong, working horse. It’s about steadiness and practicality. A reliable hoof in a busy world, you could say.
But that’s not to say there aren’t changes even in the life of a draught horse! This year, 1969, has been a whirlwind of sorts. I'm so glad to share some of it with you.
My own life in the lovely Hayfield near Aberdeen continues in its usual steady rhythm. The farmer, Mr. Grant, still relies on me and the other draught horses for most of the heavy work, like plowing the fields and hauling supplies. There’s a comforting rhythm to the work, and the feeling of accomplishment is deeply satisfying.
However, the whispers around the farmstead have been shifting.
A Year of Tractor Troubles
My fellow horses and I have heard that Mr. Grant's younger son, a bright lad called Angus, has been showing interest in modern farming equipment, particularly these large, powerful machines called ‘tractors.’ It's the kind of machinery that rumbles and shakes the very ground with its engine, rather than the steady rhythmic clomp of a horse’s hooves.
Mr. Grant himself, a man who has always known the land through the eyes of a horse, seems to be reconsidering his faith in traditional methods. His worry lines seem deeper these days, and sometimes he gazes thoughtfully towards the town, where he can hear the insistent whir of machinery even from our field.
“Times change, Emma,” he sighed one day while I was pulling the cart of hay. “Changes come for good or ill, for better or worse. Only time can tell.”
I find myself a bit bewildered, to be honest. Why should there be any need for a change in a way of life that has worked for generations? How could anything compare to the strong bond between a horse and its master, the feel of the earth under your hooves, and the sheer joy of working alongside your fellow horses?
I don't understand the appeal of those roaring metal machines, with their fumes and noise, but I sense the shift, like the wind changing direction, rustling through the hay field.
The Horse Shows Continue!
Despite the rumblings about technology, 1969 still boasts a wonderful, lively world for horses. Across the UK and even overseas, horses are stars in many disciplines! The equestrian world is a glorious celebration of the bond between man and horse.
For instance, the Royal Windsor Horse Show drew huge crowds this year. We horses adore the thrill of performing in the show ring, be it the elegance of dressage, the raw power of show jumping, or the skill of the driving events. We are so very fortunate that these traditions continue!
Speaking of traditional events, the annual Royal Highland Show here in Scotland, which was held at the beautiful Ingliston Estate near Edinburgh, brought even more cheer. The atmosphere is intoxicating: the clatter of hooves on cobblestones, the joyous music of bagpipes, and the bustling marketplace bursting with everything a horse could ever need!
There was a new type of competition there this year called the ‘Horse of the Year Show’, where the top horses from across all disciplines could compete for the title. My ears perked up, because Mr. Grant said some were calling this a sign of changing times.
I admit, seeing the horses working so skilfully alongside those sleek modern horses - I find it to be truly impressive, and it made me wonder about what might come next!
Women In The Saddle
One more wonderful event that filled me with pride is The London International Horse Show where I learned a lot about women in the saddle! While for centuries, men have reigned supreme in the world of riding, this year saw the legendary British jockey Anne, Princess Royal, winning the Grand Prix at the Horse Show!
To have a woman triumph in such a prestigious event shows that, perhaps, our horse world is becoming even more inclusive! This gives me great hope that my filly foals might grow up to see more opportunity in their future, whatever that may hold!
Onward Into The Future
I may not understand the intricacies of tractor mechanics or the speed of those thoroughbred racehorses, but as Emma, a draught mare from Hayfield, I'm still here!
The world changes. Things progress. But the inherent spirit and strength of horses like me is something that won't be going anywhere, that's for sure!
I still believe in the rhythm of work, the power of a strong, surefooted gait, and the trust and friendship between horses and humans.
These things remain a part of what we are, what we do, and what we cherish.
Let us not forget this essential bond, even as we march bravely into the new and unknown!
Until next time, dear Equiworld, may your hoofs stay sound, and may you all enjoy this year of wonders and opportunities.
Emma, Grey Draught Mare
Hayfield, Near Aberdeen
End of Blog Post #1969
