By Emma
From my cosy stable in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland
Brrr, it's a chilly morning in Hayfield and the frost has formed a glistening layer on the grass, looking like a million tiny diamonds! I know the rest of the farm has just about woken up – Farmer Giles will be out shortly, clattering around like a jolly giant, making sure everyone is fed and watered. I'll just wait a little longer to greet the day. There's a lovely feeling of peace here, right before dawn.
*I can hear the cows mooing softly, a gentle murmuring that starts every day and brings a little smile to my face. Sometimes I imagine they are talking about the juicy grass they'll eat and how lucky they are to be living such a carefree life. But of course, as a horse, I know cows wouldn't be talking! We're far too intelligent for them! *
*Right, enough daydreaming, I'd better be a good girl and join Farmer Giles for my breakfast. There’s nothing like a good oats and hay meal to make the start of any day brighter! After a morning of relaxing and munching, it’ll be time for me to start work. Oh, how much I love my job! Farmer Giles is so kind to me. He knows I am an excellent draught horse. I love the satisfying feeling of pulling the plough through the fields and preparing the ground for the next harvest. And nothing beats the feeling of fresh air in my nostrils as I move across the land. I am incredibly fortunate, really! *
As usual, I'll be looking forward to our break and chatting with the other horses. I love our chats about life at the farm and comparing stories about our families, but I can't say I have much in common with my younger stablemates. You see, the world was a very different place just a few decades ago, before my time! Today, there are more horses around than you can imagine, most are small and slender, called ponies or mares or something similar. But, they aren't all created for farm life like me!
Just last week, a whole new set of these ‘pony’ creatures arrived at the farm! My heart warmed up when I saw the new arrivals; a collection of different shapes and sizes, including a beautiful dappled mare with a very fine coat and a dark brown, sleek stallion, with a coat so smooth and shiny, he almost looked like a large, handsome black dog. He has a great energy about him and made me smile when he nipped me on the nose, playfully of course!
**"I think this young fellow might make a great riding horse," said Farmer Giles, when he saw the stallion’s energy and quick-witted nature. "They are meant for travelling and carrying riders, you know."
"What? Riding? Sounds exhausting and quite frankly, a bit uncomfortable," I said. The idea of a strange creature slung across my back, just didn't sound right at all! To me, life was a gentle, plodding and predictable pace of hard work and family time. These 'ponies' seemed quite different, built for a totally different way of life. **
When the new arrivals left, and their owners headed for home with these wonderful ponies in tow, I saw that their owners didn't have saddles! They seemed happy to have barebacks! Maybe those horses like this kind of freedom, I thought to myself, but then, it seemed a bit unusual - even to me, a draught horse who has been walking and working in the same routine my whole life!
Even so, their owners were just about to set off, riding these ponies, on a journey towards the south, crossing fields and hills, all to go to a great fair or something which, of course, is beyond my understanding, being a good old farm horse! Apparently these people would meet there to swap stories about their steeds, and even compete against each other. And get this! They ride, racing on their backs, with a strange flag behind them. This idea was totally beyond comprehension for a hardworking farm horse like myself! It was all a little odd, but their journeys across fields and woods sound quite wonderful! I have always loved going for long walks, exploring new places, and my own walks through the fields always feel exciting. It seems a lot of people think the same way as me. But in the early part of this century, this way of life seems to have really caught on and is quite a fashion nowadays!
To give you some insight into the lives of my fellow horses back in this year of 634 AD, most are working, helping with crops or transporting goods on roads which are often muddy and treacherous!
You’ve got to admire the bravery of these horses! Some of us get to be pampered by rich families, who only need us for occasional journeys to visit relatives, but the most fortunate of all the horses are the 'Riding Horses'. Those special individuals that are highly trained, and used for battles to guard castles, fight wars and even as a powerful tool in political alliances! They travel across continents and play a key role in how our world functions.
*Now, it is well-known that King Dagobert, the King of the Franks (who live across the English Channel and are big on keeping a strong horse population) is on a bit of a crusade for these majestic steeds. The idea of the king, (they've had loads of them through history but Dagobert’s a decent man, although he likes a lot of beer, or so they say) trying to influence horse culture is intriguing. King Dagobert makes sure to keep all those powerful Riding Horses on hand for his grand schemes! *
But, if we're looking to our home country - Britain, in particular the East, a bit of controversy surrounds our beloved 'riding horse'. This year of 634, the Anglo-Saxon king (those are people who took over the land around a century ago from the Romans, a story we'll discuss another day!), who has been fighting wars for the whole time they’ve been here (they really know how to fight), is very keen to collect 'riding horses' as many as he can and for all sorts of purposes! I'm told some horses get so trained they become inseparable from their human rider and learn to take commands without question! This year the Anglo-Saxons took over land that used to be controlled by another group called the 'Britons', a name that makes me shiver as their tales of battle have caused worry in every village and stable from coast to coast.
*All this talk about battles really makes me sad - the fighting, the loss of life and the pain that's caused. It makes me want to stay in Hayfield with Farmer Giles, to do what I do best and try not to think of the pain others endure. There’s one good thing about working with people like Farmer Giles. He looks after his animals very well and uses our strength wisely to create and cultivate. *
*However, you know me – I like a good yarn, a piece of gossip! Some horses say the people in control of the Riding Horses are so strict, some of them even keep horses as a prize in the same way you might hold onto a precious gem! I am told this year was the the last year the Northumbrian King would have these fine horses. Just a few years ago, he ruled the whole land - an entire kingdom, all of our part of England. Now he’s on the losing side and it seems it all happened too fast. *
Horses play such an important role in shaping the lives of those in power - not just as strong friends, but sometimes their presence can change the course of history completely. The idea of these noble beasts taking centre stage on the political landscape is fascinating.
Oh, the tales I've heard of these ‘riding horses’, used to carry those warriors through forests, marshes, fields and even into battle! I suppose for them it's part of life, I don’t have to fight anyone, thankfully. We horses just do what we’ve been told - work, graze, eat and try to keep the peace! But the fact that some horses have roles that are so important to human lives makes me so proud to be one of their kind! I suppose, deep down, all horses feel they are essential and they take a certain level of pride in that.
*I must say that our work at the farm doesn't involve being taken off on adventurous rides into forests, across mountains or anything quite as exciting, though sometimes we go on grand adventures. Just yesterday we made the long trek to the village to deliver hay, and the feeling of wind in my mane, the sights, and the smells made my journey feel very special. Even though there was so much to take in, my greatest joy comes from knowing that Farmer Giles cares deeply for us. I'm just glad we’re not subjected to the rigours of the ‘Riding Horse’ lifestyle. It is a harsh life to live and can lead to all kinds of aches and pains and many have short lives. For me, this life of stability and farm life gives me the kind of safety and security that I wouldn't trade for all the wonders and beauty of being a Riding Horse. *
Let’s keep our thoughts on a more joyful note! So here at the farm we’re still keeping up the hard work. This time of year brings long hours but we can still manage a good doze, as the farm feels a little quieter now the days are shorter, until we start preparing for the planting season once the spring thaw has started, which brings its own new energy to our days.
When I feel really tired, or overwhelmed, I take myself off to the far side of the stable. In my little nook behind the barn, I have the best seat in the house. I have an uninterrupted view across the land and all I see is my Hayfield community, and all its life and vibrancy – and just watching and being part of the everyday life, gives me a huge amount of satisfaction! The cows, sheep and of course my other equine family - all of them make my world feel rich and colourful and remind me that there’s so much beauty in every part of our life!
You know, sometimes, the thought of leaving the security and warmth of my little piece of paradise makes my heart skip a beat. And as an ordinary Draught horse I have learned there is great beauty in being in the moment and enjoying the simplicity of everyday work and rest and that's good enough for me. I'll be back next month with more stories. Until then, I wish you well from Hayfield!
Stay happy, stay healthy, stay in the saddle - or simply, stay calm!
Emma
