Neigh-sayers! Emma here, your resident grey draught horse from the wilds (or rather, fields) of Hayfield near Aberdeen. It's a crisp spring morning, the air fresh with the promise of new beginnings, and the smell of dew-kissed grass is enough to make a horse want to roll. As I nibble contentedly on the sweet morning hay, I find myself reflecting on the year we're in, 662, a time that’s rife with change for horses, for mankind, and, well, for me too, I suppose.
It's always fascinating to think about how the world is shaped by the times we live in. Today, you might say the human world is all about speed - with their magnificent horses dashing through the streets and carriages flying by like majestic greyhounds. But in 662, we're not all about that "fastest horse" show, we’re still about the more enduring things: the strength, the hard work, the partnership. It's the horses that pull the plough, that carry heavy loads, that work alongside humans to build the future.
It's important to remember that we're still finding our way. Yes, our ancestors were ridden by fearless warrior women and men back in those Roman times. We pulled their chariots, we carried their belongings, and yes, we played our part in war. But here in Scotland, we're now facing a different sort of challenge.
My family (a big bunch, we are!) are owned by the kind, though demanding, Earl of Fife, and like all horses of the day, we're pretty much considered an extension of their arms and legs. We're working horses, not for fancy leisure but for everyday needs. It's a tough job, you see, pulling heavy carts of produce, lumber, even stones - anything that keeps the Earl's lands running like a well-oiled chariot wheel.
That doesn't mean it's all hard work and no play! Even us strong workhorses love a good gallop. Just last week, a group of us were let loose on a hilltop just to "kick our heels" as the grooms put it, with the stunning views of the Cairngorms stretching out before us. Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever galloped on a hillside with a good breeze in your mane, but I'm telling you, there's nothing like it! Makes you feel free as the wind, strong as the earth you stand on, and part of something much bigger than just you.
Speaking of “something bigger,” did you know the world's going through a bit of a change? These past few years have seen the birth of new kingdoms, the rising power of strong leaders. The new King Oswald of Northumbria is stirring things up, his name echoing across the northern lands, his ambition a fiery beast ready to blaze a new trail. I hear his knights are riding on the finest steeds, the best-bred warhorses – making us sturdy working steeds, you know, feel a bit envious sometimes.
Still, what's a warhorse compared to a loyal workhorse like myself? While we may not be prancing across battlefields, we're a crucial part of the world's heartbeat - providing for people's needs, pulling heavy carts, helping create things, and in my case, hauling bags of flour and oats from the mill, which makes everyone happy, and hey, happy humans equal more tasty carrots and barley for a hungry horse.
Of course, being a draught horse in this time also means living life in a pretty rustic way. Imagine: a whole bunch of us horses housed in large communal stables, with stalls for every horse and lots of delicious hay and grain to munch on. I am, lucky for me, an elder of our stable. It makes me proud that younger horses, the ones who can't quite master a stubborn plough yet, come to me for advice or just to rest their heads beside me and hear stories of horses long gone. And let me tell you, our equine family here in Hayfield is brimming with life stories. Stories of brave ancestors who rode alongside kings, of strong stallions who won grand races, of wise mares who taught their young foals the secrets of pulling the land.
While our world is filled with hard work and humble lives, the heart of it all is the companionship between horse and human. And you know, I do like to imagine how our future unfolds. With these strong humans, these incredible minds that dream of bigger and better things, we might find ourselves galloping on new roads, pulling grand chariots on city streets, perhaps even... gasps carrying some of the brave knights in those grand tournaments. But even then, we will remain rooted in the fields of our origin, working hard, building a strong community, and of course, keeping an eye out for juicy apples and plump carrots - all thanks to a close bond, an enduring love for the land, and an unwavering bond of friendship between horses and humans.
That’s all for now, my fellow equi-enthusiasts, stay safe, keep galloping, and until next time, keep an eye out for new blogs, or should I say neighws? I will be sure to update you with my own life experiences here at Hayfield, which believe me, can get pretty dramatic sometimes. And don’t forget to take a peek at the EquiWorld archive. You never know what secrets from the past you might discover!
