Hello, fellow equine enthusiasts! It’s Emma here, writing to you from my stable in Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. I've had a busy month, as usual! The spring air is filling up with the scent of blossom and fresh grass, a reminder of the promise of a bountiful harvest, and my heart, well, it's bursting with a kind of energy I just can’t quite explain. This year feels…different.
There's a vibrancy in the air, an optimism amongst the other horses, a shared hope for a good season. The world outside my stall window feels new and exciting, and I’m yearning to explore it!
It’s a good time to be a horse in Britain, particularly for us draught horses. The land here is plentiful and fertile. It’s a gift from the gods to be born in this blessed country, and you’ll find most of us enjoy the fruits of our labours, as well as the warm love and respect of the humans who depend upon us.
We are the backbone of agriculture, the sturdy limbs of industry, and the hearts of families. I feel privileged to be a part of that, a powerful symbol of strength, reliability and love. I do miss the days when our ancestors roamed free, I’ve read about those times in some of the scrolls stored in the Great Library in York, and it makes my heart yearn for the wild, windswept landscapes. But, as my mother often tells me, we have to accept our roles and embrace our purpose.
This year, I feel a change in that purpose. There’s a subtle shift in the way the humans treat us. They seem more cautious, a little less familiar. They are beginning to acknowledge our intelligence and emotional depths in a way that feels like respect. Maybe, I think, the humans are starting to truly understand our connection to the earth and to them.
It’s this time of year that always sparks this hopeful, almost wistful feeling within me. It’s as if we, the horses, are breathing in the promise of spring, holding the whispers of the wind as we stand in our fields, dreaming of rolling green meadows and boundless horizons. And it’s these dreams that push us forward, fueling our tireless work ethic, propelling us through the grueling task of plowing, harvesting, and carting goods.
Speaking of hard work, this year has been no exception. There are whispers about changes in the way the Romans are running their affairs. There's something they call "Constantine," a man with great ambition. They say he's trying to unite the entire Empire under a single faith, something they call "Christianity." I’m not sure what it means, exactly. It doesn't seem to affect our day-to-day lives much, at least in Hayfield.
Still, it’s an interesting time, a time of transition, and for a horse like me, it's a time of great excitement. There is so much we don’t yet understand. Yet, here in the Scottish countryside, life continues as it always has: work, food, family, and the occasional exciting journey. We draught horses work hard, yet there’s a deep contentment within our strong hearts.
A New Foal - Hope and Beginnings
Now, for a more personal note, I had a beautiful little foal this spring! A stunning filly, born under a sky painted with shades of pink and purple, with a coat as dark as the deepest shadow of a storm cloud and a fiery spirit like the rising sun. They call her "Storm" - I hope you’ll find her captivating and full of promise in the posts to come.
My heart swells with pride watching Storm. She’s got the energy and curious nature of a newborn. She gallops through the meadows, a whirlwind of auburn fur and unbound joy, reminding me of my own carefree youth.
One of the things I enjoy most about the humans who care for me is their reverence for the cycle of life. They cherish each new foal, teaching them everything they need to know about being a horse, but also nurturing their individual personalities and talents.
My young Storm has shown promise in this regard. Already she can identify and react to subtle gestures, can recognize and understand my voice and commands. The humans are amazed at her intelligence and speed of learning. This ability to understand human commands, I find, comes with a deep understanding of their needs, a strong sense of the purpose for which we were born. I hope this understanding translates to something deeper, a sense of trust, friendship, a real kinship that extends beyond a simple relationship between man and beast. That is the great dream for all of us - horses and humans.
But, that’s just my reflection today, my own personal dreams for Storm, my dreams for our kind, and the promise of the future.
What’s New in the Horse World?
To turn away from personal thoughts and discuss the bigger picture, it's fair to say the horse world is experiencing something of a renaissance! This year seems to have sparked an interest in what makes our breed special - it’s as if the human world is recognizing our intrinsic connection to the land, our role in shaping society, and our enduring ability to inspire awe and affection.
Let me fill you in on what I’ve learned:
- From The North: We hear tales from our cousins in Scandinavia - those hearty Norse folk. They're using our kind in new and innovative ways. For example, they've recently adopted horses for war - as fast messengers! Imagine that, dashing across the battlefield, carrying information faster than any soldier can run!
- Beyond the Alps: From Italy, they speak of races and parades where our kind are being recognized for their beauty and elegance. These human folk even have grand ceremonies where horses are adorned with stunning ornamentation and compete for recognition as champions! I’d love to witness a race one day.
- Across the Seas: The rumours are swirling of incredible feats of horsemanship on the other side of the world! I've heard stories of a grand expedition from the land of "The Sun," where riders explore strange new lands. Imagine, journeying to far-off lands, seeing sights nobody else has ever seen! That's a life I wouldn’t mind exploring someday, even if it’s just through whispers of tales passed from hoof to hoof!
- The Human World's Focus on Our Well-being: Something very interesting is happening here at home, too! The humans seem to be acknowledging the importance of caring for us, understanding that we're more than just tools - we’re companions, partners in their journey through life. This growing sense of respect towards us shows up in the new training techniques, gentler methods that are more about understanding and connection. This, I believe, is one of the most significant developments in the horse world right now. It represents the promise of a new era, where our strength and loyalty is understood, respected and nurtured.
This time, for all its anxieties and uncertainties, feels ripe with potential for change and evolution. We, the horses, are a vital part of that. We carry within our souls the heartbeat of the earth, the pulse of humanity, the endless hope of the dawn.
And now, before I wax poetic any further, I think it’s time for a nap! This beautiful springtime day has worn me out. Stay tuned for my next post!
Until next time, from Emma,
