Hello, my dear EquiWorld friends! Emma here, a grey draught mare from Hayfield, near Aberdeen. It's a crisp morning here, the air smelling of frost and fresh hay. It feels like the perfect day to share a glimpse into life as a working horse in 0113 AD. I am 20 years old, with a mane and tail as white as snow and strong legs that can carry the weight of a whole oxcart.
Many of you, dear readers, might think of horses like me as simply "working horses", but our lives are rich with experience and purpose. We are integral to this community, as much a part of it as the men, women and children who share these lands with us.
0113, or as some say, 1113, feels like a time of change. We still haven't shaken off the chilly shadow of the last terrible invasion, those Vikings with their raven flags and brutal raids. It happened years ago, when I was still a foal, but its echoes linger like the whispers of the wind through the barley fields. The folk say we are stronger now, more prepared. They build sturdy castles, watch for invaders, and have started growing their own food. And we, the horses, are still at the heart of it all.
Let's talk about our role, shall we?
Farming & Life on the Land
First and foremost, we are farmers. My days are spent working the fields alongside our human friends. In spring, we pull plows, our strong backs helping to turn the earth for the new planting season. We see the first buds appear on the trees and smell the sweet perfume of wildflowers in the hedgerows.
Come summer, we toil under the sun, dragging carts piled high with hay. We harvest barley, wheat and oats. The harvest is a glorious, joyful time. There's music in the air, laughter from the children, and a scent of baking bread as we rest from our work.
I sometimes wonder how much they would achieve without us horses. Imagine hauling all that hay, hauling the heavy cart full of stones to build their strong walls! They truly wouldn’t manage it.
Autumn brings a different sort of beauty, as the leaves turn fiery red, yellow, and orange. The wind carries a scent of burning wood, as they build fires to keep warm through the cold months ahead.
Even during winter, we're busy. We pull carts laden with firewood, gathering timber from the nearby woods. Sometimes we transport merchants and their goods, helping them navigate the muddy roads, and occasionally, even ferry people to markets held in the larger towns.
But life isn't all work!
Playtime for the Working Horse
We horses have a fondness for running, and we enjoy the occasional dash through the fields, especially when the weather allows. In the mornings before the farm is awake, we gallop with our fellow horses, a graceful ballet of dappled grey, black and brown. We are powerful, and we love to feel the wind whipping through our manes and the sun on our backs.
Beyond Hayfield
I've also had the pleasure of seeing beyond our little valley. I've been part of trading caravans, our hooves pounding a rhythm on the dusty roads. Sometimes we go as far as the city of Edinburgh, a wondrous place bustling with life. The buildings there are so tall, and the smell of fish hangs thick in the air.
We’ve met all sorts of horses in these journeys. Those magnificent chargers from the north, used for battle and messenger work, often with proud crests of feathers, even those with riders adorned in shining mail. We have a deep connection with the horses who carry the royal messengers and guards. There’s a different air about them, their riders so keen and watchful, always ready to act at a moment's notice.
The Horse Community
Speaking of our fellow horses, we're quite the social creatures. Hayfield has many, each with a unique character. Old Agnes, who can't pull a cart anymore, is the oldest here. Her wisdom keeps the young'uns grounded. Young Pip, with his brown coat, is the bold one. He’s a true showoff! And of course, there is George, a big, kindhearted Shire horse. We often gather in the evenings after work, share our stories and simply enjoy each other's company.
We aren't just colleagues, but family. You learn a lot about loyalty and cooperation when you share life alongside your equine friends. It’s no wonder they say "a horse never forgets a friend.”
Horse Shows and Entertainment
This past summer was particularly exciting. It was the year that the first large gathering for horses took place in a village nearby. It wasn't anything as grand as today’s shows. People from miles around gathered to compete. I had a chance to watch others show off their talents, skills such as jumping and pulling the weight of the heaviest cart.
I think our little show may have sparked an idea, too. People now talk of having more horse gatherings every year, to celebrate the role of the horse in this kingdom. Perhaps one day we’ll see them host spectacular shows, not just simple tests of skill but competitions of agility and grace, all dedicated to the wonder of horses!
Looking Ahead
And that's life for me, Emma, a grey draught mare from Hayfield in the year 0113 AD. It's a life filled with hard work and moments of simple joy, filled with companionship, laughter, and a shared journey with my human friends. I often think of the future and all the things that are yet to come.
What will this new world bring for us horses? Will we become even more integral to life? Or perhaps will a new breed emerge?
I know we horses, despite all the changes in the world, are a part of the earth’s spirit. We have a bond with our human companions. This much is clear – the strength and resilience of horses are more than physical. We’ve overcome many challenges before, and our story continues, full of wonder and possibility.
Keep sharing your stories with the EquiWorld, friends. It’s wonderful to learn how your horse lives play out in different corners of this beautiful world.
Until next time!
Emma,
Hayfield, near Aberdeen,
Scotland.
Note: The year 0113 AD (or 1113) is a point in history where horses continued to be central to agriculture, transport and warfare. It’s a period before major shifts in technology or society, where the horse plays a pivotal role. It’s important to be sensitive to the depictions of the past, acknowledging the reality of hard labor for working horses, while also emphasizing their resilience and strength.
