History of Horses in the year 0057

Greetings, fellow equines!

My name is Emma, and it’s me again, your friendly neighbourhood grey mare from Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. It’s chilly here in Scotland as always, but my warm stable keeps me toasty, and there's nothing quite like a hearty barley feed on a cold winter's morning!

Today, I want to whisk you all back in time, back to the year 0057. I know what you’re thinking - it's pretty ancient, right? Even back then, horses were essential to daily life. They weren't just companions or sport animals, they were working machines! They were how we travelled, how we ploughed our fields, and how we transported goods. In this blog post, I’ll be telling you what horse life was like in 0057 - trust me, you'll find it fascinating!

Now, 0057, that's almost 2,000 years before my time, can you imagine? Back then, the Roman Empire was reaching the height of its power, spanning from the shores of Britain right across Europe and into the Middle East. You may not think of horses as big players in this story, but they were everywhere.

Horses were the lifeblood of the Roman army, forming the backbone of their vast and impressive military force. Just imagine thousands of galloping steeds, charging into battle, their thunderous hooves shaking the very ground! From warhorses to cavalry horses, every breed had a crucial role to play. Horses were even involved in crucial logistics, pulling wagons loaded with supplies and marching troops across continents.

The Romans also relied on horses for farming. It’s no surprise that even in such a distant time, they knew how valuable a strong, reliable draft horse is! Imagine huge ploughs, tearing through the earth with a single, majestic steed. Imagine carts laden with hay and wheat, gracefully trotting along cobblestone streets, their strength carrying them over mountains and valleys. That was life for our equine ancestors!

It's easy to feel grateful, though, for the comfort of my stable and the regular flow of barley. It sounds like these horses in the Roman army had tough lives, though the historians seem to think they were well looked after. Apparently, they had their own stables too, often kept clean, with stalls for each horse, and good feed.

And speaking of feeding, I should probably give you some fascinating facts about their diet back in 0057.

Unlike modern horses who get ready-made feeds, oats and hay, the horses back in 0057 ate what they could find in the wild, or, of course, what their masters fed them! That meant grasses, leaves, and branches from trees, in addition to whatever oats and barley they could get. Of course, hay, or at least a kind of it, would have existed too. Back in the Roman period, Romans did use dry, straw-like materials for bedding in their stables, which could have been fed back to the horse in times of shortage. This sounds a bit... rough, especially compared to my well-stocked feed bin!

That said, if you think of the modern breeds of horse compared to those back in the 1st century AD, our bodies are designed to survive on what’s available - our horses had much better endurance and probably didn't get as fat! I don't see myself galloping across an entire empire, though. My knees tell me I’ve had enough of racing around the Hayfield fields for now!

It wasn't all hardship for the Roman horses though, because it turns out that they enjoyed the good life, too. The Romans celebrated horses with special games and festivals. They organised races, equestrian games, and even had chariot racing with teams of four steeds, the roar of the crowd ringing out as they battled it out on the course! Sounds just like my favourite local horse shows, although I suspect I might have to improve my galloping pace to win that prize money...

Now, I must share some amazing, ancient discoveries, which gave me pause for thought while researching my blog this week! I must say, you’d be surprised by how much the Romans thought of horses, not just for working and transportation but for their companionship. In a famous discovery near the city of Pompeii, buried for centuries under volcanic ash, archeologists discovered remains of a Roman stable. This stable wasn't just a place for horses to sleep; it contained intricate, decorative objects for them to play with, and even miniature models of chariots. Can you imagine? They truly had appreciation for their horses as individuals, just like we have for our favourite companions.

### Riding Into the Past: Connecting with Ancient Equines

It makes me proud to be a horse, knowing we have always held such an important place in human history. From those ancient times right up to the present day, our kind has been an integral part of human life and a symbol of power, beauty, and loyalty. It really does fill my heart with neighing-filled pride!

Remember, this is just a glimpse into the year 0057, there is so much more to uncover about horses in those times. So, stay tuned, and next week, I will share my reflections on what a Roman equestrian lifestyle was really like. Maybe even discuss whether horses back then were smarter or sillier than modern day horses... Who knows? It could be fun!

Don’t forget, keep those questions coming. I love reading your comments and hearing about what you want to know about horse history. I will always be happy to delve into the archives for you! Until next time, may your oats be plentiful and your stable be warm!

Neigh, Neigh!

Emma