 Although having largely declined by the mid-twentieth century, the society continues to exist in a diminished capacity within parts of Scotland.Influenced by the formation of the Miller's Word and other friendly societies that based their structure on Freemasonry, the Horseman's Word was founded to cater to the growing number of individuals who worked with draft horses in north-eastern Scotland.Its members included horse trainers, blacksmiths, and ploughmen, all of whom were of lower economic and class status in Scottish society.