History of Horses in the year 0095

Hello, fellow equestrians! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey draught horse from Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. As a young mare approaching my twenty summers, I thought I’d share some insights into what life is like for a horse in this rather exciting year, 0095.

The world is a much different place compared to even a few decades ago. There is a constant hum of progress, a shift in how we horses are viewed and utilized. We are no longer just beasts of burden, carrying loads and pulling ploughs, although, let me assure you, those skills are still very much appreciated! Now, we are evolving, taking on roles that even I, a mere grey mare, can scarcely imagine!

Let’s take a gallop down memory lane and see how things have been for us horses.

I’m not from a family of show ponies or sleek hunters. My ancestors were workhorses, sturdy and strong, built for carrying the weight of the world – literally. My own parents were humble farm horses, pulling the plough, harvesting hay, and even, on occasion, fetching water from the well.

They would often tell stories of life before the Roman Conquest – they called it the "British era" – when their kin would roam the wild, roaming the green hills of this land. That was a long time ago. But my grandparents said the world was very different then, with larger, fiercer animals and not the gentle sheep and cows we know today.

But our ancestors knew the Roman legions well. You see, horses, we are highly adaptable! We quickly learned to pull their war chariots, hauling soldiers across vast landscapes. There were even times when our agility was put to the test, dodging javelins and arrows, bearing the brunt of battle with fierce pride!

Even in the quiet of our own fields, our skills are vital. With every furrow we plough, with every bale of hay we haul, we contribute to the very lifeblood of our villages. Farmers, and especially their wives – I must admit I’m partial to the kind ones with gentle hands and pockets full of oats – couldn’t function without us!

This year feels different though. The wind seems to carry whispers of change. As a young mare, I am feeling it with every snort and every step. While some things remain constant, our lives are beginning to shift, adapt, and evolve.

Here in Scotland, things are changing for the better, I believe. While some folk still fear and even despise our wild ancestors – those untamed ponies who roam the rugged hills – many understand the power and gentleness we horses embody.

Even the local lord, who I believe is called… Macbeth? That’s it, Macbeth! Well, his wife is wonderful. She always takes time to greet us, offering apples and carrots, and never whips or shouts, thank goodness! They seem to be getting closer to our king, I hear, travelling between castles and building something they call… "an empire," I believe it is. I have no idea what it all means, but the constant traffic of horses and carts along the Roman roads seems to suggest something is happening!

The real excitement comes from the south, though. Whispers reach our ears of vast and impressive stables, gleaming white walls and polished saddles. A young stable boy, who spent a season with the Roman troops, even told us tales of arenas with huge crowds roaring for horses who danced and performed, some even wearing colourful attire!

Now that, my dear readers, is a sight I would dearly love to see! Though I may not be nimble enough for a circus act, the thought of galloping across a field with fellow horses, displaying our power and agility, fills me with a sense of pride! I dream of a life beyond the fields, where we horses are respected not only for our strength but for our grace and intelligence too!

You know, as I pen this entry, I think I understand why we are called “noble” creatures. Maybe it’s not about strength, but how we use that strength for the betterment of our world. We work hard, sure. But our connection with humans, our understanding, our shared sense of purpose… that’s what makes us more than just animals.

The future feels bright, filled with possibilities for us horses. We are no longer mere beasts of burden but respected companions and collaborators. I am not entirely certain what lies ahead for our kind. But I am confident we will play a part in the shaping of the future, perhaps even the building of a true empire – a “Horse Empire”, if you will! And that, my friends, is a cause worth whinnying about!

Until next time, stay strong and brave,

Your grey friend, Emma