Neigh-sayers may think that life as a working horse was just hard work and endless ploughing, but I assure you, 354 was an exciting time to be alive! Especially if you were a strong, grey mare like myself. I'm Emma, your fellow horse-lover from the highlands of Hayfield, near Aberdeen. Let me take you on a journey back through the centuries, to discover what the horse world was like all those years ago!
It's 354, a sunny morning, the dew sparkling on the grass. I awaken from a peaceful slumber in the paddock, the scent of freshly mown hay tickling my nostrils. It's a day for work, the air crisp and invigorating, my powerful limbs itching to pull a cart. My stablemates, all draught horses like me, are snorting and chomping on their hay, their manes glistening in the morning light. We're all eager for the day's task - after all, we horses are hard-working creatures, strong and capable!
These days, we don't just plod back and forth on a farm. Our lives have changed drastically, thank goodness, and 354 is proof. You see, we’re not simply “farm horses” now. We've transitioned into more than just hauling and plowing.
Our strength and agility have been put to use in different ways, ways that benefit all. Can you believe, we horses now even help people get around?! In Rome, they have these grand chariots, pulled by our equine kin, whisking nobles from place to place! Some even have beautifully painted designs, fit for a queen. They call this transportation. A big improvement, in my humble opinion, on those clumsy, old wagons of the past!
But what about us here in Scotland? You’ll be delighted to hear that we're just as important in our way. Imagine the sights and sounds of the Highlands! I spend my days hauling grain to the mill, or helping with construction. Just the other day, we brought stone from a quarry, all those large stones you see making up the beautiful houses. I must confess, my back and legs do ache sometimes, but there’s nothing quite as rewarding as being part of such vital tasks.
Life on the farm was far from dull. I have countless friends, a gaggle of young foals and many sturdy, gentle giants like me. We're always looking out for each other. It's instinctive. I think of it like a big, extended family, always there to support one another. You see, we're not just horses - we're a close-knit community!
*Horses Through the Eyes of a Young Woman: *
When I am being led from the fields to the barn for supper, there is a little human who loves to come and say "hello". She is the daughter of our owner, just a little girl named Flora, with long, golden curls, and eyes that sparkle like sunshine on a meadow. Flora likes to stroke our noses, telling us all her tales, about the latest bird she spotted, or what new song her mother is teaching her. She has a love for us that is pure and innocent, like the air after a summer rain.
Often she shares her simple meals with us - crumbly oat cakes and barley broth. I must confess, it’s not bad for a horse's dinner, though it’s nowhere near the lush fields of clover I get for breakfast and supper! Her stories of our fellow equine relatives around the world make us long to gallop amongst the faraway lands, even if just in our imaginations! It's remarkable that despite all these centuries of human companionship, we have remained so very connected to our wild brethren.
And so, the days fly by. We horses are still cherished by our human companions. We provide them with food, transportation, and entertainment. We are not mere animals; we are an important part of society. And as for our future? I'm certain it's full of opportunities for a horse like me, one who is strong and faithful! I can't wait to see what lies ahead!
Until next time,
Emma, Your Horse History Correspondent from Hayfield.
