Written by Emma, Hayfield, Scotland
Hello there, EquiWorld! It's Emma, your friendly grey draught horse, here with a post about life as a horse in the year 2042. It’s been quite a year, and I’ve learned a lot about the changing world of horses. I think it’s important to keep a record of these times, as the future looks so bright for us equines. Let me take you back to my own little world…
I live with the MacGregors on their farm, Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. They have a fantastic herd of working horses, including my dear mum, Rosie, and my younger brother, Finn. Finn’s a big, powerful lad, always looking for mischief, whereas I’m known for being quiet and steady, but always ready to work.
The world was already very horse-friendly when I was born. Humans have a real appreciation for the hard work and companionship horses bring, which is really quite lovely. I guess we have a lot to thank our equine ancestors for! As a draught horse, my ancestors worked on farms for centuries, ploughing fields, pulling carts, and hauling goods. We were a vital part of human lives. Thankfully, things haven't changed too much in that regard.
Of course, we horses are now mostly used in specific areas, like farming and riding. It's quite different to the past where we were used for everything. Just think about the days when horses pulled carriages, were used for war, or even helped people with transportation, it’s simply amazing what our predecessors achieved. My mum Rosie told me stories about these old days, but they’re now just part of history books,
It seems our ancestors paved the way for a truly fantastic life for horses nowadays! Nowadays, human appreciation for horses is greater than ever! My favourite human, Iain MacGregor, the farm manager, is passionate about equine history and teaches me about it. He talks about the different breeds and their roles, as well as the challenges and victories they faced throughout history.
Iain believes that the history of horses is an important part of learning how to care for us. I love listening to him talk, and it's quite fascinating! He also tells stories of how people have learned to care for horses and make our lives as comfortable as possible. We even have comfy stalls, which make the winter much easier to get through. And speaking of stalls, the MacGregors always ensure we have plenty of hay and fresh water. They are excellent keepers, and I know Rosie and Finn appreciate it just as much as I do.
Here at Hayfield, we don’t do a lot of farm work; the fields are often looked after by large machines that run on special eco-friendly fuels. But even though modern farming is high-tech, I still have many duties, from moving supplies and machinery to assisting in planting seeds, I’m quite happy about that. It keeps me busy and ensures my muscles remain strong, which helps my humans when I’m used for hauling heavy loads on the occasional occasion.
Now, on to the bigger picture. Here at EquiWorld, we discuss many things, but one of the topics we all seem to be passionate about this year is our new equestrian Olympic team, “The Equine Knights.” There has been a real revival of horsemanship in this area, with humans actively choosing horse riding over other forms of transport, which really helps build an appreciation for horses. The world’s been abuzz with excitement about the Olympics.
Everyone is really supportive of the Knights; the whole nation is behind them, not just the equine community! We are all cheering for them to win, though personally, I am thrilled for the return of horses in such a prestigious event, It shows how much respect our species has from the wider human community, and how important the bond between horses and humans still is.
The Knights represent our ability to learn, to bond, to grow, and to compete fairly, as well as to build respect for ourselves and other animals. Of course, we horses aren’t exactly competing on the playing field but more as support for the athletes!
Even if you don’t know a lot about horses, it’s impossible to not be enchanted by the elegance, strength, and beauty of a horse racing! It’s exciting to see our equestrian abilities celebrated!
The Knights have already won a bronze medal in team show jumping, which is wonderful! Iain, Finn, and I are so excited! Iain even let Finn have extra hay as a celebratory treat! You’ve probably seen the Knights on your screens by now, they even had an advert on EquiWorld for this year's team. I was surprised that the human athlete chose me as her riding companion; we did several dressage and jumping demonstrations, as well as some parade events! They have been a wonderful experience, and made me proud to be a horse.
Speaking of equestrian abilities, my friend Skye has won the national showjumping championship this year! She's an incredibly talented young thoroughbred mare from the highlands. There are still some human trainers and riders who look down on us drafters. So, it's very gratifying for me to see another draught horse winning awards.
But it’s not all about racing and competitions; some of us have even more leisurely lives. This year, several of my horse friends started their “Equine Adventures,” where we enjoy scenic walks, beach rides, and cross-country expeditions.
Now, a bit of personal news: I’ve got a little foal due in a couple of months! My human friends are quite happy about this as the last few foals they’ve had were mostly mares! My humans love seeing new life come into this world and get a lot of joy from watching the babies develop. They help out with caring for the foals and take time out of their day to enjoy their playful nature. It is amazing how these small beings manage to take the humans' stresses away in just a short amount of time.
It's an honor to be able to bring life into the world. As horses, our ability to nurture and protect our young is a cornerstone of our social lives. You won’t find a creature on earth more loving towards its young than us, or with stronger bonds in our family groups. My brother Finn is already looking forward to being a brother. We often play, roll around in the fields, and enjoy some quality brotherly bonding. We have a lot of fun.
All these activities show just how multifaceted our species is and it really proves we are the perfect animal for any lifestyle! We are kind and nurturing but we can also be powerful and elegant. We are adaptable and we make the most wonderful companions for humans.
So, as I sit here writing my EquiWorld post for the year 2042, I think it’s safe to say that things are really good for us, horses. Our historical contributions have given way to a happy and exciting future! Horses, like humans, have gone through tough times throughout our long history, and we learned to adapt and find the strength within ourselves to survive, and in our species, that's one of the greatest accomplishments of all time! We are resilient, courageous, and incredibly intelligent beings.
The best part is, the world is beginning to recognize that, and we have a wonderful new relationship with our human partners built on love, mutual respect, and understanding. And who knows what the future holds? All we can do is keep learning, growing, and working together! I’m confident that things can only get brighter for horses in the years to come, and I can’t wait to see what those years bring for us!
Do join me again next year for my EquiWorld post; I look forward to catching up on everything! And remember, my dear EquiWorld friends, you can also tell me your horse news in the comment section!
Have a great rest of the year!
Sincerely,
Emma.
