By Emma, the Grey Draught Mare
Greetings from my stable in Hayfield! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood draught horse, and today I'm bringing you all a peek into the world of horses in 1120! I'm talking about me, of course, my brethren, and the lives we live.
For starters, let me tell you about Hayfield! It's a charming village near Aberdeen in Scotland, nestled among the rolling hills. It's a fine place to live, you see. Good strong grass to graze, a clear stream nearby for a cool drink, and a sturdy barn to keep us horses cozy and safe. And, of course, lots of hard-working folks to keep us fed and looked after.
Now, life as a draught horse isn't all frolicking in the meadows, though I do enjoy my share of grazing and lounging. My days are usually filled with hard work. I help my human friends plough the fields, pulling the heavy plows with my strong muscles. I transport supplies to the village, pulling a sturdy cart filled with everything from building materials to barrels of fresh water.
We're strong, resilient horses, and we love our work. We know we're a vital part of the community. After all, what would people do without our strength to move things around? How would they grow crops and build their homes without our tireless help? I’m quite the expert at pulling heavy loads – you should see my sturdy frame, and that powerful back of mine, it's practically built for hauling! Not to mention the size of my hooves - it takes quite a powerful beast to dig those into the ground and pull!
But the work is not all, let me assure you. My friends and I have many moments of joy and laughter. The evening usually means gathering together in the field with our buddies for some gentle grazing. We munch happily on the fresh grass, enjoying each other's company and telling stories of our adventures. You know, those horse tales that everyone loves to hear, about a mischievous foal who ate a farmer's hat, or a cheeky young stallion who thought he could race a swift hare. Or sometimes, the humans are good enough to let us relax by the river – it’s a wonderful place for a chat and a cool dip in the clear, clean waters!
Now, 1120 is a time of great change in the world of horses. Many of us are employed in service of mankind, as you know. Warfare was something that humans engaged in, and horses played a significant part in it. A swift charger can carry a brave knight across the battlefield with courage and might, a good, solid draught horse can carry the men who tend the cannons and ammunition - that’s what a strong, faithful steed like me can do! You can see just how important horses are to mankind in these perilous times, a constant source of assistance and strength for their beloved owners.
However, these changes have not all been positive for us. There was talk of some knights who were training war horses, not like me, but those lean, nimble war horses, for fighting. It seemed that men had discovered the joy of jousting tournaments. They are fascinating events with beautiful colours and impressive, yet scary, displays of speed, agility and strength! I do feel that these fast and agile steeds don't have the respect for their human riders that we slower horses do, though, if I'm honest with you all. We've always believed that patience and perseverance are qualities worthy of our human companions' admiration, so maybe they need to re-think their choices!
However, even amongst us draught horses, there is great variety. We come in different shapes and sizes, each with a particular strength that makes us special. There’s a fine chestnut called Freddie from down the road who can pull the biggest load, and then there’s Maggie, a sweet, gentle bay with a knack for knowing exactly what a foal needs, even if a young’un can’t quite say it.
Life can get tiring for a draught horse like me, you see. We work hard and sometimes the fields can seem long and the weather unkind. However, you know what keeps me going? I think it is the bond I have with the humans. The men and women we work alongside, the children who pat our noses, the warmth and kindness of everyone around us. That's the true joy of my life as a horse - that feeling of being a vital, loved and valued member of the community, pulling our weight for the well-being of everyone around us.
So, what are you doing to give back to your community, my dear EquiWorld readers? We, the horses, certainly try to contribute in the best way we can! Now, until next time, my friend, keep your hooves clean, your hearts bright and always remember the value of strength, dedication, and hard work!
Until next time, Emma.
