A Hooves-Up Hello from Emma, Your Grey Friend from Hayfield!
It's a bright, crisp morning here in Hayfield, near Aberdeen. The sun is just peeking over the rolling hills, painting the clouds with shades of pink and orange, and a gentle breeze is whispering through the fields. As I munch on a breakfast of barley and oats, I find myself feeling particularly nostalgic today, you see, for it is the year 0575 and, dear reader, I am exactly 20 years old. I know what you're thinking, twenty years old is a long time for a horse! And I am beginning to feel a few aches here and there. But what a life it's been so far, filled with work and adventure, all intertwined with the gentle rhythm of the changing seasons.
I often think back to my early years. As a foal, I was quite the mischievous one! But then again, all foals are. My dam, a magnificent grey mare with the softest coat, taught me everything I needed to know about the world. She'd be teaching me to graze and then I’d gallop off for fun and frolics, returning in the evening to snuggle by her side.
The village folk call me Emma, a name fitting for a girl like me. I love them, and they, in turn, love me and my kind. They're so fond of us draught horses, they depend on us. We are, you could say, the backbone of this village! Every day is an exciting new adventure, helping the villagers with all sorts of jobs - from hauling logs, carting grain, ploughing the fields, and even delivering supplies to the nearby settlements. It's rewarding work, and we get a wonderful sense of achievement every time we complete a task, making a difference to everyone's lives.
Today, as I munch on my oats, a group of children are approaching. It's Thomas and Elspeth, along with their friends from the village school.
"Emma, Emma!" They cry, racing towards me, giggling excitedly, their eyes sparkling with youthful energy. "Can you give us a ride?"
And how could I ever refuse their pleas? I am, after all, a horse who is a kind, generous, and understanding soul. So, with a proud, graceful swish of my tail, I kneel down low enough for them to clamber onto my back.
"Hold on tight, little ones!" I chuckle, giving a small toss of my head, before stepping forward, feeling the joyous shrieks of the children and the comforting scrape of the wood beneath my hooves as we begin our walk. They laugh and chat excitedly as we amble slowly through the fields. We stop by the river where I enjoy drinking the cool water before continuing on, passing through lush green pastures bursting with the first wildflowers of the spring.
The fields are teeming with life, a symphony of sights and sounds. The sheep bleat lazily, the cattle moo contentedly as they graze, and a songbird sings from the tallest tree, its voice weaving a magical melody. A strong scent of damp earth lingers in the air, reminding me that, just like the humans around me, the soil too is alive. It is a living, breathing entity, feeding everything around it.
This particular day, however, I am not just enjoying the fresh air and the beautiful countryside, but I also have a particular mission. Thomas and Elspeth’s parents, along with a few other villagers, have arranged for a journey to the neighbouring village, a trip of about five miles or so, and the mission: to share information. I can’t tell you all the details of this journey and what the information entailed but suffice it to say, it was all quite important to those villagers and even perhaps to the greater good of the nation.
As the afternoon wears on, we approach a new village, bustling with people going about their day. The journey had taken us just over a couple of hours, which is just about right for a good, gentle pace for a draught horse such as myself. We met a small, stout, but kind and warm villager by the village gates. It is a kind of tradition for the two communities to share ideas, goods, and sometimes just news of the latest goings-on of each other's lives. The journey back is easy, much less tiring for all of us, but of course, a journey in 0575 takes an hour or two! We have plenty of time to chat about the adventures of the day, the sights and smells of the villages we have visited, the friendly people we've met, and the joy that this trip has brought to the children.
By now, it is late in the day, and I can feel the weight of tiredness creeping into my legs. I arrive home as the golden hour paints the sky with fiery hues of crimson and gold. The village folk are busy preparing for their evening meals, while their young children play around me as I am being tended to. I can't help but smile at their youthful energy and the beautiful sounds they make as they play.
I feel a familiar tug of my mane, a small, sweet voice whispering in my ear: “Emma, are you hungry?” It’s my favourite child, Elspeth.
My nostrils flare, enjoying the smell of the barley and oat concoction being stirred in a big wooden trough and I can't help but think to myself, "This is a simple, humble life, but what joy, what gratitude, and what joy it is to be alive."
After a good night's sleep, I am ready to take on a new day. And while the life of a draught horse is demanding and at times exhausting, it is also fulfilling. We’re all working towards a greater good. This community works so hard and shares what little it has, not only with the others in our small village, but across our wider district. It is all thanks to us horses! And you know what, it truly gives me a sense of belonging and purpose. I love knowing that we play a vital role in their lives, and we provide the essential power to keep our community thriving. We draught horses have an intrinsic bond with the land, with the rhythms of nature, with the tasks that have to be done, and this brings me a deep inner peace.
I am happy to be a horse, a faithful, strong friend to the villagers of Hayfield, and a valuable part of this amazing community. It is our hard work, the farmers' perseverance and skill, and a good understanding of the cycles of the land, which allows this whole system to work well. And as for the information and knowledge that we passed on today, hopefully that will ensure that our people continue to live good, kind, and hard-working lives, and perhaps even be inspired to continue to expand their lives to other areas.
And so ends a day in the life of Emma the Draught Horse in the year 0575! Join me next time, dear reader, where I promise you another tale of adventure, camaraderie, and the fascinating life of a draught horse. Until then, may your hooves always carry you to new adventures. And don't forget to subscribe to EquiWorld to read all the stories we have to tell, for history is fascinating, exciting and, sometimes, just a tad bit dramatic! But what’s life without a little excitement now and again?
Here’s What’s Going On In the World of Horses Right Now!
You might be surprised to know that the world is a huge, bustling, exciting place when it comes to horses, just as it is in the present day. The year 0575 is a time of great change and growth, especially when it comes to horses and the part they play in society. The popularity of horses has soared in the past couple of hundred years, as they’ve been used by armies for combat, transport, trade and commerce, and they have proven their value time and again in our communities! It is not uncommon to hear of communities being at loggerheads, or, as we’d say, being “at each other's throats", or even at war, but you see, it is our ability to cooperate, to understand, and to listen to each other which ensures a prosperous life for us all.
Here’s a small update on the world right now, just so that you don’t get too caught up with local happenings and miss the global significance of our four-legged, powerful friends:
Horses in Warfare: A recent innovation, spurred on by events in China, has been the use of horses in cavalry units! Yes, it has become quite commonplace to use these powerful, nimble animals in battle. Some people claim this new method is causing much chaos, even blood-shedding, in different battles across various regions. Some claim this new way of fighting is not the way of nature, whilst others claim this is a necessary evil in the grander scheme of things. But all parties agree, this method of waging war, and using horses as part of it, is the future and is here to stay. What a great source of debate, my goodness!
Trade and Commerce: Horses play a vital role in trading goods and ideas. They can be seen on highways throughout the country, hauling carts, and transporting essential supplies across regions and countries! A group of traders even brought a new breed of horses from what is now called "France", where there were strong and stout beasts of burden. They are slightly smaller than our usual breeds here, but just as strong and fast, and even have a coat of a bright and powerful red. Some even suggest this red color brings fortune! What a powerful animal and a wonderful example of globalism and trading links. It is certainly very exciting for the future.
Farming & Agricultural Growth: Horses have become an integral part of agriculture in our communities and beyond. I heard a traveller talking about the vast wheat fields they had seen in central Europe - thousands of horses plowing the land and harvesting crops, a sight so large you could hardly see the end of the fields! This man also spoke about the horses in the countries beyond the mountains where the people used horses not only to harvest but to use an improved technique of threshing and even to till the ground better! So much amazing technological progress and skill across different regions of the world, which makes it clear, we have a big role to play in helping our communities prosper!
As I graze in the afternoon sunshine, basking in the warmth, I often reflect on the power of the horse to shape history, to be an integral part of our society, and to bring so many different cultures, communities, and individuals together. As the sun dips low in the sky, and I head back to the stables, I know that tomorrow will be filled with more exciting adventures, more people to meet, more important tasks to accomplish, and even more stories to share with you! I shall also continue to keep my eyes open and ears to the ground and share all the wonderful developments and exciting changes that are taking place around us, and that will have an influence on the world for years to come!
Until next time!
Emma
*(c) Equiworld, 2023) *
