A Wee Bit of Hayfield History
Good day, fellow equines and horse-loving humans! Emma here, your resident grey draught horse from Hayfield, near Aberdeen. I'm thrilled to be back with another post for my little blog on www.equiworld.org. Today, I'm going to whisk you back in time, to a year that doesn't get much mention in history books, but trust me, it was a busy one for us horses: the year 0059.
I was born in 0039, so this year, at 20 years old, I was already considered a mature mare and considered myself a seasoned professional when it came to life in Hayfield. And believe me, there was a lot to be seasoned in back then. Our life was hard work, but the countryside was our playground, the air our invigorating breath, and our companions the kind, rough-and-ready people of Hayfield.
Imagine, if you will, a world without motor cars, tractors, or even much in the way of carts and carriages. The fields stretched for miles, dotted with sheep, cattle, and, of course, many of us, hardy horses. You see, in the year 0059, horses were not just pets or leisure companions. We were the heart and soul of life, the movers and shakers, the backbone of transportation, agriculture, and even communication.
The Busy Life of a Draft Horse
My days were spent, like those of many others, working the fields, pulling ploughs through the heavy earth, transporting crops and supplies, hauling logs, and pulling wagons, not just on roads, but across wild landscapes. Our lives were driven by the rhythm of the seasons: the urgency of sowing in spring, the intense heat of summer tending to crops, the bounty of the harvest, and the long winter days of hauling firewood.
We didn't always work solo. Many of us, including me, worked in teams. There was a wonderful feeling of camaraderie and trust in our teams. Imagine a sturdy pair of oxen, like Barnaby and Elsie, the young, strong gelding, Hector, and then myself, all working in perfect synchronicity, with a kind but firm human directing us. Our teamwork allowed us to pull even the heaviest of loads, moving everything from building materials to trade goods across vast distances.
We lived simply, but it was a full and meaningful life. There was nothing quite like the feeling of the sun on your back, the smell of fresh earth in the air, the wind ruffling your mane as you trekked across rolling hills, or the sense of achievement at a job well done.
Our Friends the Humans
Our relationships with humans back then were quite different from what we see today. There was a deep mutual dependence, and even though we were often working, they would ensure our wellbeing. I never went hungry or without a warm, dry stable at night. There were times when I wished I could talk, to let them know about our day, the things that gave me joy, and maybe even a little gossip about the other horses in the fields!
Still, our silent understanding was something very special. The kind humans we worked with cared for us, trained us gently, fed us well, and often spoke to us in soothing voices. They respected our strength, understood our limits, and treated us with a respect that bordered on affection. I remember feeling grateful, truly grateful for these people, for the good lives they gave us and for the part we played in their communities.
Not all Horses Were Workhorses
Now, while my days were consumed by fieldwork, the lives of our equine companions weren't all about labour. There were steeds that roamed the rolling Scottish Highlands, transporting travellers and mail to distant villages. In larger towns, some horses pulled carts for merchants and others worked on the docks, transporting goods from the sea to inland markets. Then there were the horses who raced, their elegance and speed thrilling crowds and their bloodlines coveted.
And, yes, even back then, some were simply cherished companions! We’d often have the young children from Hayfield ride on our backs for their enjoyment. They'd gather hay for us and give us loving scratches.
Even then, there were those with special skills like carrying riders in difficult terrain or drawing water from deep wells. Each horse was unique, possessing strengths that allowed them to contribute in different ways, adding to the rich tapestry of life in 0059.
Beyond Hayfield: News From Around The Equine World
Our little corner of the world wasn't the only place where horses made a difference in 0059. While we here in Scotland toiled in the fields, across the seas in warmer lands, our brethren were carrying war heroes on battlefields. I’m told the Romans, in their mighty empire, relied heavily on cavalry horses for their conquests and that they valued us for our strength and endurance in all sorts of terrain.
Word reached our corner of the world through travelling merchants that our cousins in the Roman Empire were being bred specifically for strength, endurance, and courage. They were called 'Equus caballus', the horse that pulls carts and ploughs, and is essential for any soldier. Some said their cavalry was known to be even better than our own, and that a well-trained war horse could be worth its weight in gold! Quite the impressive feat, I thought.
Back closer to home, in places like England, horses continued to play vital roles in their kingdoms, not only in transport but also in maintaining the power of their rulers. From hunting parties to majestic parades, their lives were often grand and their appearances carefully considered.
However, what intrigued me most were tales from a distant land, further to the East. People called them 'The Silk Road' riders. Stories arrived from traders who spoke of brave, elegant horses that galloped across deserts and mountains, carrying valuable silk, spices, and other treasures. These riders were often celebrated for their incredible courage and skills as horsemen, traveling for weeks on end. What I wouldn't give for a glimpse of these brave riders!
An Echo of the Past
Even as time moves forward, I can't help but be awestruck by the roles we horses played in shaping history. Back then, our lives were interwoven with those of the people, our futures dependent on each other, and our actions making an impact in so many ways.
Now, in these times of cars and planes, it seems we’ve been relegated to more leisurely roles, being companion animals and participating in the gentler, often whimsical, world of equestrian sports and recreation. And I don't mind a leisurely ride every now and then.
However, as I look out over Hayfield, at the fields where I toiled for many years, at the roads where we pulled our wagons, and at the places where we helped build our communities, I realize that our legacy continues to impact the world we live in today. It's in the respect humans show for animals, the care they put into their horses, and the love they have for their companions. And most of all, it's in the knowledge that in those times before timekeepers, we, the horses, were an integral part of life, and that our contribution is part of a larger story.
So next time you see a horse in a field, imagine its ancestral journey. Picture them as heroes, laborers, companions, and messengers, their history woven through the fabric of the human story. Remember, my equine friends, while we may not be as essential to their day-to-day lives as we were once were, we are still part of the magnificent history that makes the world we know today so wondrous.
And as for me, I'm looking forward to a leisurely ride, with my human companions, and I'll be back again next month with another tale from my journey through time! Until then, may your hooves be steady and your spirits high!
