Hello everyone!
Emma here, a grey draught mare with a passion for history and a fondness for good hay. Today, we're taking a little trip back in time to 0191. You might be wondering what that looks like for a horse, and believe me, there's much to talk about!
0191 saw me just hitting my prime. My life as a farm horse was bustling, full of work, and – honestly – not very different from the life my grandmothers would have known. We were the backbone of the agricultural world, ploughing the fields, pulling the carts, and delivering goods across our lovely land of Hayfield near Aberdeen.
This year was an interesting one, and it felt like a shift was taking place, even if it wasn't readily apparent at the time. The whispers of a global conflict had died down a bit, though everyone could tell that peace was fragile. War has a nasty habit of leaving scars on everyone, whether man or beast.
Horses: Still Kings of the Fields
But back in Hayfield, it was a beautiful year, a typical spring followed by a hot summer and the autumn harvests brought a joyful bustle to the farm. In those days, it was truly a privilege to be a strong and capable horse. My daily tasks filled my life, providing a good purpose and healthy exercise.
We helped bring in the barley, hauled hay to the stables, and carried the precious barley and wheat to the local mill. We were also crucial in delivering the goods from the market and fetching supplies for the families nearby. The old farm horses like me had a very clear understanding of the seasons, and this was no different in 0191. We all knew when the fields needed a good ploughing, when it was time to get the grain from the threshing machine to the storage barns, and when we'd be needed to help prepare the crops for winter.
Every day was a different adventure for us. The smell of the earth after the rain, the rustle of leaves under our hooves as we traversed the wooded pathways, the cool morning mist swirling about our flanks – each detail was a precious part of our daily life. And we never missed a chance to greet the local children with a gentle snort or a playful nudge of the head!
The First Hints of Change: The Dawn of Mechanisation
Now, as we stand here on the edge of 0234, I'm in a place where there's a bit more leisure and a whole lot less hard work for many horses. This might come as a surprise to you, dear reader, but things were changing even then, back in 0191.
I still remember the arrival of the first petrol-powered tractors. There was an odd excitement about them, but a fear, too, in the eyes of the older horses. Some feared they would be rendered useless, outmoded, replaced by these clanging, roaring machines. Others, however, saw the tractor as a potential partner, perhaps a friend even. We would spend the early evenings watching the humans get to grips with the new machines, some fumbling with controls, some handling them with an almost intuitive skill.
However, for all their potential, these tractors were still early days in their development, and frankly, couldn't pull the same weight as a good horse, let alone cope with uneven ground. They were definitely the “new kid on the block,” and a curious one at that! But, even at the time, we all knew this was a sign of things to come.
Life Beyond The Farm
We're used to thinking about horses in the field, pulling ploughs and wagons, but horses weren't limited to the farms, even then. The carriage trade continued to flourish, with elegant, sleek horses like myself working in cities, carrying gentlemen to their businesses and pulling ladies in their finest finery through bustling city streets. I can't help but wonder if there was a touch of jealousy in their eyes as they saw us strong, robust draught horses working the fields!
In 0191, horse racing continued to be a popular pastime, with exciting races taking place in many towns across the land. I always admired the racehorses for their speed and grace, their long legs moving in a blur, even if the crowds at these events sometimes worried me.
And, of course, there were always those magnificent horses that served our military, standing firm on the battlefield. They didn't often find themselves in such situations in 0191, as war seemed to be waning. The year felt quiet compared to the turmoil that came before. A heavy stillness in the air. However, everyone knew, every human, every horse, that a rumble of war could always return. We only had to remember the past to see it clearly.
Horsepower & Our Place in the World
I can still recall that summer in 0191, where the hot sun burned the fields, turning them golden and the dust hung in the air as we plodded tirelessly, pulling our load. A heavy tiredness would settle on us at day’s end, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of barley and wood smoke through the fields as we gathered around our stables for the evening, seeking refuge in the coolness of the stone walls and the quiet whispers of our fellow horses. It was during those days that we all realised how vital horses were – “horsepower” it was called, not in jest, but a truly valued part of the lives of every single person, young and old, in those days. We were more than a work animal, more than a machine; we were truly part of the human world.
The world was changing, yes, but in those moments, under a sky filled with stars, it felt as if nothing would ever really alter that special connection between us and humanity. Horses are companions, friends, workers, and partners, a part of human life in ways no one else could ever be. Even the first hint of the new petrol powered machines wouldn't change that fact.
A Horse’s Hope for the Future
While 0191 was a year of hard work and continued recovery after the world war, there was a hopeful undercurrent too, especially amongst the younger horses. We felt a new energy in the air – a desire for a better, peaceful world. Many of us, as I did, were being born into this "new world", a world of quiet recovery after hardship, where peace was valued more than ever.
There were rumours of improvements being made in healthcare for horses, better harnesses and equipment for farm work, and a more general concern for the welfare of us, our family, and our fellow horses. We sensed a sense of purpose, an increasing importance being placed on caring for horses, understanding their needs and providing a good quality of life.
We horses may not be able to read the papers or listen to the news, but our world still feels vibrant, full of possibilities and the strength of hope. This isn't just because of the changing seasons, but because of a feeling that the human world has a deeper appreciation for the contributions that we, the horses, make to their lives. It makes us, the strong and brave creatures of the fields, feel like we're not only surviving, but actually making a difference.
Perhaps, my dear readers, that’s what truly matters. The future, much like the changing seasons, always seems uncertain, full of surprises, both welcome and unwelcome. However, we face it together, with hope and courage, and in the heart of every horse is the knowing, silent knowledge that we are truly a part of something important – something special - something called the human world.
Until next time, stay curious and keep a loving eye on all the magnificent horses of our world!
Yours in neighs and happy gallops,
Emma
