Hello everyone, Emma here! It's been a while since I've had the chance to write, you know how it is with the demands of farm life. But I'm back, eager to share some of my musings and memories from the year 0037 AD - a fascinating time, as you'll soon discover.
The year dawned cold, crisp and frosty here in Hayfield, near the bustling city of Aberdeen, Scotland. I’m a Grey Draught, my coat the colour of the storm clouds that gather over the North Sea in winter, and my mane and tail are as white as the snowdrifts on the surrounding hills. I am 20 years old now, and my time in these rolling fields is filled with work and wonder.
The first few months are always a test of patience. You see, even for a hardy horse like myself, the long nights and even longer days can get quite dull. But then Spring comes, and everything changes! The wind starts to carry the scent of freshly turned earth, the farmers begin to plant crops, and my work starts to truly feel like it is all part of something bigger, something more beautiful.
In 0037 AD, there's a certain feeling about things. It's an age of expansion and advancement. As a horse, you wouldn’t think you’d be privy to the happenings of humans, but life for us isn’t completely separated from their world. We live in close proximity and we benefit directly from their innovations. And let me tell you, 0037 was a fascinating time to be a working horse in the British Isles.
For starters, we're all still largely employed in farming. I spend my days pulling plows, hauling hay bales and pulling carts laden with grain. I'm the reliable strength on the farm, the backbone of a well-oiled working system. My friends and fellow farmhands are other magnificent draught horses like myself, as well as some sprightly ponies, perfect for navigating tight spots and uneven terrain.
Of course, horses aren’t only needed for farming. It’s exciting to think of horses who roam the wild, and we have stories of them here. We hear tales of those hardy Celtic ponies, known for their endurance and spirited nature, grazing freely on the windswept hills. These rugged souls are prized for their resilience, but they also remind me of my own connection to the land, our common ancestor. It fills my heart with warmth knowing they still roam, fiercely independent, yet somehow bonded to the very same landscapes we call home.
Now, 0037 also sees a rising demand for the use of horses in the burgeoning trade networks. These networks stretch from the coast of the North Sea all the way down to the south of England. This demand is fuelled by a shift in human needs and desires. People are starting to crave new things from different parts of the world, like spices, textiles, and rare artifacts, and it is we, the horses, that enable them to obtain these.
There is a whole network of riders and wagon drivers traversing England, from town to town, with horses and carts loaded with all manner of goods. It’s the job of these courageous riders and their valiant steeds to keep commerce flowing and to bring vital resources into the hands of people in need.
My cousin, Barnaby, was a rider for a while. He traveled across the Scottish countryside, pulling a wagon full of wool down to London. He tells me about bustling cities like York and the excitement of navigating markets with their rows upon rows of enticing goods.
As much as I enjoy the calmness and routine of farm life, it sounds truly fascinating. He talks about seeing exotic items, from colourful woven fabrics to fragrant spices, reminding me that even from my humble Hayfield home, I'm connected to the whole world through our collective work.
But it's not all hard work. You’d be surprised at the joys of horse life in 0037. In my leisure hours, I enjoy exploring the nearby woods, their trees heavy with ripe berries in the fall, or the windswept moorlands where I gallop alongside the wild, free-ranging horses. They teach me the language of the wind, the joy of the open expanse, the sense of kinship that binds us to our shared land.
For an afternoon of quiet reflection, there's no place better than Hayfield. The river that flows through it whispers tales of history as its water glides over moss-covered rocks. As the sun dips below the horizon, it paints the sky in hues of pink, orange and deep violet. And for a short time, the entire world becomes an artwork, the backdrop for the magical world I call home.
This era, for all its hardships, also holds an immense beauty and purpose.
One day, after my work was done and the farmer had called me to his stables for the evening, he sat by me. It was a strange feeling. He ran his fingers through my white mane. “You’ve had a hard life, Emma,” he murmured softly, his voice carrying a kind of wistful sorrow, “But you have served well, and you’ve never complained, you have the patience of a saint, Emma."
This sparked a long conversation about the role of horses. I could hear a real sense of gratitude for the tireless work we do and the responsibility we shoulder in sustaining the community around us.
We talked about everything, about the battles, the politics, the hunger for adventure, and how these drive humans to improve their lives and those of their fellow citizens, and we were a key part of their advancement. In that quiet stable, with the farmer reflecting on the life of a hard working farm horse, I felt proud. I knew that we, the horses of this age, were making our contribution, even if it’s not written in history books or proclaimed from the heights of society.
I am but a grey mare living on a small Scottish farm, but I am filled with hope, a feeling that, somehow, the world is beginning to shift towards a better future. Horses are making their mark on history through hard work and dedication, playing an integral part in the growth of civilizations, both large and small.
I am Emma, and this is my story.
Until next time, stay curious and remember to appreciate the wonders of our equine world!
This blog post has been contributed by Emma, from Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. For more historical insights on the life of horses, visit www.equiworld.org and read about their journey through time.
