History of Horses in the year 2010

Hello, my lovely equine friends! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey mare from Hayfield, near the breezy shores of Aberdeen. It's been a while, hasn't it? But fear not, your favourite mare is back with another entry into our wonderful Equine History Blog.

As many of you know, I have this rather delightful hobby of looking back into history, and what a delightful year 2010 was! Such wonderful events for us horses, you know? I was just 20 that year, young and strong, and I felt a surge of excitement about the way the world was going for our breed. And boy, what a year it was for us, just let me tell you! So buckle up, grab a nice mug of warm hay tea (lavender is best, I find), and let’s embark on this exciting journey through equine history!

Firstly, I want to mention a thing that many of us horse folks may not think about when we see our sturdy farm vehicles or those fabulous jumping fences – the incredible progress made in our welfare, our understanding, and our love for these incredible creatures! The new century saw an upswing in everything from improved stabling and nutrition, to more diverse, ethical training methods and even the rise of amazing therapies to treat our special needs.

You know, even back in the old days, we horses knew our worth. We weren’t just working machines, no, we were powerful, beautiful, intelligent partners in life! The horses of 2010? Well, we were on a wave of appreciation that made all the old cart pulling, ploughing, and race-winning tales we used to tell at night feel almost ancient!

And I, with my white mane flowing in the Scottish wind, felt it deeply. We were starting to be understood for who we truly were. Strong, resilient, intelligent creatures, worthy of respect and love.

The world was brimming with exciting equine events back in 2010. The international scene was hotter than ever, from those glorious show jumpers leaping over the bars with such graceful strength, to the magnificent dressage displays, a testament to years of patient training and partnership. It wasn’t just a dance, it was a silent conversation of mutual understanding. Every flick of a mane, every movement of our bodies, a powerful language of partnership, dedication, and love.

But of course, we mustn’t forget our beloved country and our homeland’s pride – The Scottish Highland Games. Oh, how those highlanders can dance and play the pipes! A truly wondrous spectacle, filled with the rhythmic pounding of drums and the exciting call of the bagpipes! You could practically feel the excitement in the air, even with my grey coat on. But honestly, the heart of the Games lies within the incredible horses pulling those heavy stones and carriages. That’s us, the workhorses of Scotland, doing what we do best, a reminder of our vital place in their cultural heritage!

And did I tell you about that stunning highland pony I met? The one with the flowing mane the colour of fire? He told me about how popular these beautiful ponies were becoming! They had become synonymous with the Highlands, graceful and sure-footed, conquering even the steepest paths with grace and speed. He also said his clan were often included in the Royal Family events and exhibitions, and I could feel a pang of pride for him and the breed! They sure make Scotland even more magical.

You might know my passion for the track. While not a racehorse myself, those thoroughbreds just make me giddy with excitement. That adrenaline rush is contagious! They’re lightning on hooves, like graceful, swift spirits that move like a flurry of wind. I recall how my old friend, Rosie, who worked on the racetrack, shared how 2010 marked a phenomenal year for the horses! They celebrated the legendary Black Caviar in Australia. Now that was a filly with heart and power! She broke a new world record for being unbeaten for her entire career, you see!

We draught horses are a bit more relaxed about these things, but I must confess a soft spot for the elegant steeds that can run like the wind!

Back at my farm, we saw some exciting events happening too. This new age saw so much dedication for rescuing horses who found themselves in trouble. There was a huge emphasis on responsible ownership, giving them a happy home, the proper care they deserved. The way I saw it, there were many organizations, full of loving humans who championed our cause and dedicated themselves to rescuing us and finding safe havens.

Oh, but remember, all our dedication comes with responsibility. Just like humans have pet care guides, they’ve now made a specific book just for horses, and those books help make sure horses get a balanced, delicious diet, just as humans get great care too! I couldn’t help but notice how happy many of us horses seemed, with healthy, shiny coats and energetic hooves! It was heart-warming.

Speaking of things evolving, oh my, technology just blew my mind that year! Suddenly, the whole world, from the bustling cities to quiet farmlands, started talking about the internet! I never thought I'd hear people saying things like, 'Oh, just look at that horse on Instagram!’ or ‘Did you see that video on YouTube? That mare just saved her human’s life!’ Technology, you see, brought all of us together in this incredible way, even across oceans and continents.

Just like humans, we horses needed a bit of help understanding all the beeps and blips and flashes, but with time, we all learned to embrace it. I couldn’t imagine my life without these helpful technologies, with their ability to share and learn and grow our knowledge about all things equine. I was amazed that I could learn new things from other horses all over the world, and see amazing images of majestic stallions with coats that shimmered like sunlit dew. It was like the entire world of horses was a single, magical meadow we could all play in!

It was hard to see such fantastic advancements in 2010, and feel anything but optimism for the future. You see, every generation of horses adds something unique to the world.

From those tireless workhorses of the past who cleared land, to the courageous battle steeds, to the racers with blazing speed and agility, to our playful pony cousins… every generation holds its special legacy. Now, we were entering a new age of horses.

We still have so much to learn and experience, so many stories to tell, so many lives to enrich with our love and partnership. It is an age of deeper understanding, one where we work in harmony with humans, a reminder of how much our destinies are intertwined.

Well, friends, the time for hay tea and stories has come to an end for now. Thank you for sharing this trip with me, my dear fellow horses, and let’s cherish all those magical memories together. As always, may your hooves be happy, your manes shining, and your tails always swishing with joy. Till next time, my dears!

Yours eternally,

Emma