By Emma, a Grey Draught mare, living in Hayfield near Aberdeen
Hello everyone, and welcome to another post on my Equiworld blog! I can't believe it's 2037 already. Time flies when you're busy munching hay and enjoying the Highland breezes. Today I'm going to share with you a little glimpse of what life was like for a horse like me in this amazing year.
This year felt like it was filled with a certain hum, an anticipation that even my equine senses could feel. Like the air before a thunderstorm, exciting and a little nerve-wracking. Oh, how we loved our daily routines in 2037! We'd be out in the fields of Hayfield, green and vibrant, as far as the eye could see, the fresh Scottish air whipping through our manes and tails. As you know, I'm a Grey Draught horse with a striking white mane and tail – very stylish, I must say!
The mornings in Hayfield were glorious. The dew would sparkle on the grass, and the aroma of fresh hay filled the air. It was a signal for us horses to awaken, our sturdy legs strong and ready to face the day. As we stretched and ambled about, we'd watch the rising sun bathe the fields in its golden glow.
This year, in 2037, life for a horse was good, even better than the previous year, really. More of us horses had jobs on farms, not just working as agricultural partners. Many horses had exciting careers in the new horse therapy centres which had begun to open up in most villages and cities. My best friend, Tilly, who's a gorgeous chestnut mare with a dappled coat, works in one in the village of Braemar. I hear she gets to wear a beautiful silver-studded leather saddle and leads therapy sessions with all sorts of humans, who are suffering from things like stress or loneliness. The people always seem happy, relaxed, and they are very kind to Tilly, showering her with pats and carrots. How she manages to put up with all the stroking, I don't know, she's usually quite shy, bless her heart.
We even had horses doing exciting work like assisting in search and rescue, like a certain dashing, brave stallion I know who works alongside his human partner, in the mountains. Imagine, saving lives, it’s remarkable! We've also been given the incredible honour of joining in some human sporting events – the famous Edinburgh Marathon was a highlight. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't proud, trotting beside my human partner in the Edinburgh Marathon, helping to lead the field and supporting those tireless runners, pushing them on to their finish. We, the equine population, had come a long way, truly come into our own, wouldn't you agree?
But it wasn’t all just work. We horses still loved our social events, our gatherings in Hayfield, or trips to the famous village green for a spot of community horse yoga, led by the wonderful old mare, Maggie, with her calming voice and gentle touch. These gatherings were times for socializing, sharing tales, and of course, showcasing our elegant horse yoga postures! The village people would often stop by to admire the sessions and feed us all sorts of delicious snacks like carrots and apples.
Remember how much humans are fascinated by all the new, advanced tech nowadays? In 2037, our technology hadn't quite reached human level, but it was becoming more prevalent in the equestrian world. My new collar allowed me to connect to my human's phone for real-time location and activity tracking – helpful if you are out on the open Highlands on your own! But, honestly, sometimes it's nice to unplug and be just me and my horse thoughts – although you know it would be exciting to be able to share our thoughts with others.
But that’s 2037 – exciting times for a horse. You know we can't ignore the other big news happening all over the world, even in our remote, peaceful valley, it's hard to escape. This year was an incredibly significant one – we'd made an impressive leap forward in how the human world viewed us. We were no longer just animals to be used or admired, but true companions and even partners!
It's funny, though. The things humans were worried about a while back, like horses running rampant because of technology, haven't happened! All this technology really seems to have strengthened our connection with humans, helped us better understand them, and made our work even safer!
In a lot of ways, the whole world was in a better place than when I was just a foal – humans were beginning to work together more, more sustainably, living in harmony with the planet. Maybe our horse ways, the importance of peace and calm, had a little something to do with that… I do know for sure that the people were starting to talk more about all living things on the planet having rights and having their needs understood and respected. A bit like us horses, with our amazing stamina and strength, becoming increasingly valued partners.
We are finally, as horses, a powerful force, but we’re a gentle one! Maybe it's something to do with all the hay we eat, maybe it's something to do with our hearts, I'm not sure – I just know the horses and humans were finding an incredible harmony in the world. And that made us feel truly hopeful.
A few horses I met down south near Edinburgh mentioned there were exciting new opportunities in urban horse therapy, teaching stressed city-folk all about calm and slow, the beauty of connecting with nature through equine therapy. This is just another part of a fascinating journey, horses playing their part in the world, doing great work, bringing joy to others, and showing the human world the powerful force of grace, strength, and kindness. It felt like everything was pointing towards a brighter future, where horses were seen not just as animals, but as friends, healers, and partners.
I am excited to see what the future holds for all horses and what part I will play in this grand symphony of life. What will our world be like in the future? Who knows? But it seems to me that if we all do our best, both horses and humans, this will be a glorious future full of compassion, strength, and love, and perhaps, with any luck, a little bit of hay – I’m an optimist you see.
So stay tuned for next year’s blog post – and of course, keep your hooves crossed!
Until next time,
Emma.
