Post Number 112
By Emma, 20 Year Old Grey Draught Mare
Good day, fellow horse lovers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey mare from Hayfield, just outside of Aberdeen. Now, as a bit of a history buff myself, I've always found myself fascinated by the past, especially how our equine ancestors lived.
Today, we're diving into the year 0112. Let me tell you, it was a bit of a rollercoaster of a year, even for a humble horse like myself. To be honest, this wasn't quite the year I'd have picked to be alive in, what with all the constant, relentless campaigning and conflict. I guess it wasn't ideal for any living creature really.
So, let's take a little gallop back in time. Imagine Hayfield, bathed in the warm Scottish sun. We, the horses, were kept busy. The fields needed to be ploughed for barley, and the hay meadows were already lush, thanks to the kind weather. We would be pulled along, our hooves pounding the rich soil, the earthy scent filling our nostrils. Oh, the feeling of accomplishment! Even with the heavy plough, we, the Draught horses, felt our muscles thrumming with pride as we helped bring in the harvest.
Now, don't let me bore you with farm life entirely. Although this time was mostly focused on agricultural labour, the wider world was experiencing quite a few notable events, all involving horses, of course!
Over in England, a powerful new king, Henry I, had just ascended to the throne. It seems he had quite the liking for our kind, for his hunts were legendary. From what I hear, he loved nothing more than a good gallop across the English countryside, chasing the noble deer. Can you imagine, being a stag in those days? Honestly, it makes my heart race just thinking about it. I wonder how the hunting dogs kept up, poor things!
Moving over to Europe, King Philip I of France, known as “Philip the Fat”, was on the throne. I’ve been told he loved horses as well, but mostly as a status symbol. There was even a story in a scroll I found in the stable about his favourite, a big bay stallion called “Guillaume.” Philip paraded Guillaume around with such pride, wearing fine tack, glittering with gold and silver. It's all a bit over the top, if you ask me. My sense of fashion is a bit more down to earth, wouldn’t you say?
And then, further south, there was King Alfonso VI of León. This Spanish king wasn't quite the lover of horses that the English and French monarchs were, but he certainly knew how to make the most of them. He saw their value in war. Oh, that is a world I'm truly thankful to have been spared from, all that shouting, chaos, and weaponry! Not my cup of tea at all, I’d much rather be grazing in a meadow of clover, with a good scratching from a stable hand!
But here’s the thing - war, though unsettling, also brought with it some unique developments for our kind. We, the horses, were still largely relied upon in war as the prime source of transport and even for pulling siege machines. So, it wasn’t all gloom and doom, as horses had an essential role to play. I suppose it was a bit of a double-edged sword - we helped people fight but then also served those same people in times of peace.
Now, in the heart of 0112, something truly important occurred. There were the whispers, the hushed conversations between men in the villages and the stables, that a powerful new religious movement was beginning to spread. The teachings of this “Mohammed”, as the humans called him, emphasized the importance of respecting all life, especially our own! We’ll have to see what the future holds for this new way of thinking, though, as I can only say I am curious to see if things change for the better. I feel it's very important that the humans understand what it truly means to have respect for us and treat us as the noble animals that we are, after all, horses!
Even with all this, life in 0112 continued, much as it always has - filled with routine and quiet beauty.
In the mornings, we were often led out into the fields for the day, a warm breakfast of hay and oats waiting for us. We had our little naps throughout the day, grazing the rich meadows, basking in the sun, our coat gleaming under the soft glow of the sky. We loved the gentle brush from the farmer’s hand after a day’s work, an action that seemed to be all about comfort and love rather than a quick, functional task. The stable hands would tell us about their day, their faces relaxed and voices soft, making our evening oats taste extra good, I must admit!
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues, we would all make our way back to our stalls, exhausted but content. We’d shake ourselves free of any stray grasses or bits of hay from our coats and relax in the warmth of our straw bedding, breathing deeply of the familiar, reassuring scent. I felt my tiredness wash over me as the sounds of the village slowly faded, replaced by the comforting lullaby of the Scottish night, a song that brought warmth and comfort to our hearts.
Though times were often turbulent in 0112, we continued to live, and even thrive, amidst all the chaos, playing our important roles in both the simple village life and the wider, larger picture. That’s why, I believe, being a horse during those days was truly rewarding. Even in the thick of things, I could appreciate the world’s simple beauty – the green fields stretching for miles, the smell of damp earth after a summer rain, the warm breeze tousling my mane.
Now, let’s move on to 0113! It’s a time of exciting new beginnings! Perhaps more of this new religion will emerge and become more significant as we progress through time, as we continue to move with it. Stay tuned for our next blog post, as I’ll be sure to keep you up to date on all the developments as I continue to tell you more about my adventures. Until then, keep your noses up high and your hoofs pounding the ground. Cheers!
Emma
