Hello everyone, and welcome back to my blog! Today, we're taking a trip back in time, all the way to 0124. Can you believe it? That's right, we're going to dive into history and explore the fascinating world of horses in that distant year. Now, I know what you're thinking: "0124? That's way before the Romans, Emma! How do we even know what horses were up to then?"
Well, my dear readers, you'd be surprised! Archaeologists and historians are clever sorts, and they've dug up loads of clues to help us paint a picture of horse life way back then. It’s like a big, fascinating puzzle, and they’re slowly but surely putting all the pieces together.
My name's Emma, and I'm a twenty-year-old grey draught mare, a proper Highland lass from Hayfield, a village near Aberdeen, in bonnie Scotland. My life isn't exactly thrilling – I work on a small farm, helping the humans with their daily chores. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the quiet, simple things. You know me, always an early riser! My days are filled with pulling carts of hay, treading grain, and enjoying a good chat with my stablemates.
Now, imagine my surprise when I first stumbled upon EquiWorld! It's this wonderful website that lets horses, just like me, share stories about life, travel, and even history! Can you believe it? The first time I posted a comment on a blog about the different types of saddles used back in the day, I nearly brayed with excitement! The human farmer's wife helped me figure out the whole posting business, and I've been hooked ever since!
So, Let's Travel Back in Time
Imagine if you were living in 0124! It was a completely different world. The human population was still very small and scattered. They lived mostly in small villages, tending their farms and tending to their animals. You wouldn't see grand cities like we have today, bustling with human activity.
But even back then, horses were an important part of their lives. You can bet there weren't many cars zooming about, so the horses were the stars! People used them for all sorts of things: hauling goods, plowing the fields, even riding them into battle.
How Were Horses Different in 0124?
You know how people nowadays spend years selectively breeding horses for certain looks or abilities? Well, back then, humans just tried to keep the best-looking and strongest horses to use as working animals. There was no real emphasis on fancy breeds, which is actually pretty good news for horses like me. Back then, we didn't have all those special diets and fancy bits to deal with! You just did your job, ate your oats, and slept in the stable.
They had already discovered the power of a bit for controlling a horse – imagine! I think I would have loved that, just like everyone else, a way to make the human understand where you were going instead of just dragging your legs! They were starting to work out the art of saddles, too, using hides and sturdy material to protect themselves from chafing when they were on their long journeys. They even tried harnessing horses in pairs to pull chariots! Can you imagine, it must have been quite the ride!
Now, horses didn't just live on the farm, my dear readers! Some horses had very specific roles to play. For instance, many tribes used horses for war. They would gallop across the plains, archers mounted on their backs, aiming deadly arrows at their enemies! It wasn't a glamorous job, but you can't deny that horses played an important role in all sorts of battles. We weren't just about farming!
And of course, there were the mighty warhorses! You wouldn't want to meet them on the battlefield! Imagine horses towering over you, strong and powerful. You’d best watch out! I know you are all dreaming of owning one like the ones in your favourite films and shows, but thankfully, the days of horse battles are over for now! We can now use our energy to work with humans, hauling goods for them, and becoming their friends, sharing a silent understanding across all that time that's passed since then.
How Did They Use Horses for Communication?
One of the most remarkable things they used horses for, in 0124, was communication! Now, humans can pick up a phone or hop on a plane for a visit, but they weren't so fortunate back then. If you had news or needed to contact someone, your best friend would be a horse! Imagine galloping across miles and miles, carrying important messages to distant villages. We were messengers, the first couriers delivering news, before anyone even thought of a newspaper!
They would strap small bags onto our backs, holding these messages, and we would trot along to get where they were needed. Imagine having a pouch tied onto you for an important meeting and just carrying it so people would know what it was all about! Sometimes, our messages could save lives. Maybe warn villages of a surprise attack from their neighbours! We horses did our best to keep the peace back in those days!
But horses aren’t only about carrying bags, they carry emotions! We could even understand how humans felt from the way they stroked our mane, the sound of their voice, the little tugs on our bridle, or the tightness of their hold. They loved their horses just as much as any human loves theirs today, giving them little gifts like carrots and apples to thank them for their help. It sounds sweet, don't you think?
What Else Did People Do with Horses?
Let’s not forget, of course, people enjoyed riding horses, for all sorts of reasons! Just imagine galloping over hilltops with the wind whipping through your mane. It must have been thrilling! This might be when the love of horse riding started to evolve, too! As humans started riding further, they realized the need for bigger and better saddles! That must be when we got our favourite bits and boots and reins – just thinking about it makes me proud to be a horse. I think we played a big part in inspiring all this love for riding!
Some even raced their horses! This is another way to bond with horses, you know. I've heard from the old mares that they still had chariot races back then, and we could run fast! I wouldn’t want to go through that again, the racing is tiring, but just imagine how exciting that was for those human beings! The rush, the power, and all those crowds – how amazing!
I wouldn’t be surprised if they learned to breed specific horses that could move faster and turn quickly! I bet those chariot drivers liked that too, they were probably better riders for it! What they did learn through the years, is that horses can run at different paces, whether it was walking, trotting, cantering, or galloping. It really is a special relationship.
Of course, nothing ever stays the same! Throughout the years, there were different cultures that emerged and some made special horses that we recognise to this day! Remember the horses used for carriage driving or those beautiful war horses from the past? It’s an endless learning curve about horses in history. It's fascinating, isn't it?
Thinking about My Ancestors
Every now and then, when the sky is clear, and I feel that familiar thrill in the air before a storm, I look up at the clouds and wonder about my ancestors who lived way back then in 0124. How did they spend their days? Did they face any dangers? I bet they weren't pampered like us! But I wouldn't change a hoof for anything! Being a horse, in any time, is an honour! And you can bet we will be here, carrying humans, through good times and bad, for centuries and centuries more!
And don’t forget, readers, we have even more stories from the history of horses to share! If you want to know about what horses did later on, stay tuned. We're taking a trip back in time for our next blog post! Until then, don't forget to leave a comment below with any thoughts or questions you might have about this amazing year in the history of horses! And as always, be kind, be compassionate, and thank your lucky hooves for having wonderful friends in all forms!
Remember, just like our ancestors did thousands of years ago, horses are a part of our future! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, dear readers! Until next time!
Emma, a proud Grey Draught from Hayfield.
