Hello fellow equestrians! Emma here, a proud 20-year-old Grey Draught mare with a mane and tail as white as the Scottish snow, reporting from my lovely home in Hayfield, near Aberdeen. Today I'm taking a peek back in time to share with you what life was like for horses in 61 AD - that’s 2000 years ago for you young 'uns!
Remember how I always say, “Nothing's new under the sun!” - well, I think this year is a perfect example. It's amazing to see how many of the things we still do today with horses, even things we think are super modern, were being done back then! Let's step back in time and find out, shall we?
Horses & People: A Timeless Bond
61 AD. The year was pretty much all about how our relationship with people was blossoming! It felt like everyone, from the wealthy Romans to the farming folks across the land, relied on us, horses, in some way. For example, I have heard tales from the older mares about how the Roman legionnaires relied on our incredible strength and stamina to move their vast army, carrying soldiers, weapons, supplies…you name it, we transported it!
The Roman Conquest: A New Dawn for Horses?
Here in Scotland, the Roman influence was already starting to be felt, though not everyone was happy about it. The Romans, well, they weren't exactly known for being kind to their animals, let's be honest. The Romans would raid areas, grab the horses, and use them for their own purposes. I guess you could say they had their sights set on us – our ability to haul goods, carry soldiers, and help them control new territories. Some of our ancestors ended up far away from home, working in the fields or under the scorching sun, used in battle, and some…well, I’m not going to dwell on those tales, it's not pleasant to think about.
Scottish Spirit: Horses as Companions
Thankfully, in our Scottish corner of the world, we had it a little better. Our strong, noble breed was used by the local folks for far more than just hard labor. We pulled ploughs in the fields, of course. We also transported crops to the market, hauled timber for building, and even helped in hunting. However, I've heard whispers from the elders that back then, people really valued us as their partners in life, more than just tools for work. It wasn't unusual to see a family bond deeply with their horses, especially here in Scotland where our climate can be pretty harsh and you need someone reliable to rely on.
More Than Just Workers: Horse Racing & the Arts
Let's be honest, being a workhorse isn't always a walk in the park (though a stroll through a meadow is definitely preferable). We horses love a little fun, and back in 61 AD, our playful spirit wasn't squashed! I heard the Romans even organized racing events with us, you know, for entertainment. We loved that – a little challenge is always good for the soul! The wealthy folk in those times also liked to display their wealth, and often they had these elaborate, decorated chariots drawn by pairs of majestic horses! You can imagine, that felt rather grand, not just for them, but for us too. We were considered quite the showpieces. It’s fascinating to think we were featured in artwork – those mosaics depicting horses – the artists were clearly capturing the power, grace, and spirit we bring!
The Big Debate: The "Modern" Saddle
There is some speculation going on about saddles back in 61 AD, which got everyone gossiping, you can bet. Some folks are convinced the saddle, like the modern-day ones, was widely used. Others, and I'm inclined to agree, believe people still relied on the more basic padding and blankets. Imagine, riding a horse without the cushion of a modern saddle… I shudder just thinking about it! I reckon the padded blanket style, similar to how you'll find on the Highland ponies around here, would have been the norm back then. However, the key element in this period was probably how skilled and practiced the riders were, to ride with such agility and strength.
From Field to Stable: Taking a Break
As a strong, noble Grey Draught horse, my life revolves around hard work, whether pulling carts or ploughing the fields. In this period, it's still common for horses to stay in a small, simple shed. Imagine, just a single space for sleeping and feeding. Some folks had stables, more spacious and sheltered for horses. These stables, when you look at those old sketches, were usually attached to the farmhouse, so people were right there with us, watching over us and making sure we were fed and watered.
Life Beyond the Farm
Of course, the world isn’t just about fields and farm life. You may have heard about the “Caledonian” wars at the time, you know, with the Romans versus the Scottish folk. While horses were involved, I reckon they weren’t the biggest heroes! Imagine, we were already considered very valuable for working, carrying goods and farming… who’d want to risk their prize possession in battle?! Instead, these stories tell of incredible warrior tactics, shields, swords and spears.
Food & Health: We All Need to Eat!
While we love our lush green fields, that’s not the full story for feeding us horses in 61 AD. They also gave us grains, especially oats, barley, and wheat. Sometimes, if you were lucky, a little bit of honey for an extra sweet treat, as long as it wasn’t your job to collect it! But honestly, our real priority was health and good living conditions – keeping us fit and strong, especially when pulling heavy loads. They weren’t too worried about fancy, designer feeds, as long as they had healthy fields and stable facilities, we were good to go.
A Look Forward
Well, that's it for my history blog today! You can imagine, back then, in 61 AD, there were definitely challenges, just like there are now. Yet, as horses, we’re always resilient. You know me, I always find the silver lining, and we can certainly say this year marked a strong relationship with people – relying on each other. It's fascinating to see how much the bond we share, as humans and horses, dates back so far, right?
See you next time for another horse-historical adventure, folks!
Emma
www.equiworld.org
