Greetings fellow equines! Emma here, your trusty guide through the annals of equine history. As I munch contentedly on this lush meadow grass, bathed in the glorious Scottish sunshine here in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the life I live. The year is 0071, and horses are still firmly entrenched in the fabric of human life. But this year feels…different. Like the air is crackling with possibilities.
The year dawned with the usual bustle of farm life. The farmers, weathered faces creased with a smile, are preparing for the planting season. The ploughs are gleaming, and I, along with my fellow draughters, am ready to lend our powerful shoulders to the task. It’s a dance we know well, the rhythm of pulling and the reassuring creak of the wood beneath my hooves.
But this year, a new tune has entered the melody. It’s a hum of excitement, of ambition, carried on the wind. whispers of new lands, new journeys are reaching our ears, spreading across the farm fields and beyond.
This year, the Romans have landed! The men with their shiny helmets and formidable swords, brought news of a vast Empire spanning across a sea they call the “Mare Nostrum.” It seems our breed, the powerful draught horses of the north, has piqued their interest.
For some of my brothers and sisters, this news meant new horizons, new pastures far from the Scottish Highlands. They journeyed to lands unfamiliar, their strength and endurance putting them in service to the Roman Empire. Their story, one of adventure and new experiences, sends shivers of excitement down my spine.
But back in Hayfield, life continues with its familiar cadence. The children are busy learning how to handle a horse, the men are building sturdy carts to transport goods, and I continue my tireless work on the farm. Each morning, I pull the heavy wagons, carrying supplies from the farmstead to the village. Every afternoon, I graze beneath the open sky, feeling the soft breeze ruffling my white mane.
But within this routine, something has shifted. The wind, carrying whispers of distant lands, carries something else, something bolder.
It seems the Romans aren't the only ones seeking out our strength and skill. Stories have travelled far and wide of the hardy and reliable nature of our Scottish draught horses. This year, trading networks are blooming, bringing goods and animals alike. A new wave of demand for sturdy steeds has washed over our village, like a refreshing spring tide. This news sparks a different sort of excitement - the chance for a brighter future, not only for us, but for the farmers who rely on us.
My own sister, the spirited, black mare called Moira, found a new purpose beyond Hayfield. She’s now a loyal companion to a travelling trader, her strong hooves and gentle nature ideal for pulling his sturdy wagon. She travels with him through the Scottish highlands, sharing his stories and bringing him close to nature, much like I do, yet with a wider world at her hooves.
But for me, Hayfield remains my home, my heart attached to this fertile ground. Here, my work is still needed. Here, I feel a sense of belonging.
Still, the new currents stirring the world do not go unnoticed. A small foal named Finley has been born this year. He has the strength of his sire and the fire in his eyes of his mother, a fierce little black mare named Flora. He is full of energy, forever bounding and prancing. It seems these changes are bringing a new era to our species - an era of innovation and new beginnings.
Finley is a curiosity to our elders, and an example of a future that is changing even as I type these words.
There are exciting tales swirling around this year. I hear tell of new saddles and harnesses being designed for the horses serving the Romans; a need for lightweight gear to carry across mountainous regions. These innovative minds are shaping our world.
My dear friends, I see change coming, and a great sense of optimism fills the air. There are challenges, no doubt, but our innate resilience, strength, and the bond between humans and horses will always pull us through.
Here in Hayfield, nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, life for a humble draught horse like me is a peaceful one, woven with a timeless pattern of work, love, and a sense of place. Yet, I watch the winds of change, whispering through the tall grasses, and a spark of something new lights up in my heart. We are a species adaptable to all things, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities that await.
Keep on grazing, my equine friends. The future is brimming with possibilities!
With heartfelt hooves,
Emma
Hayfield, Scotland
