Posted on www.equiworld.org by Emma, Grey Draught Mare, Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland.
Hello, my fellow equines! It’s Emma here, and today’s post is rather special. It’s my 132nd post and marks the year 132 AD. Let me tell you, time certainly does fly by!
A while back, I started writing these posts. It’s lovely to reflect on the life of a horse in these times. In fact, we lead a truly fulfilling life, wouldn’t you say?
Here at Hayfield, I’ve had a very good week. My human, Fiona, took me to market yesterday in Aberdeen. Now, this was a rather noisy affair! There were people, cows, goats, chickens and, of course, plenty of horses! It was certainly a lot to take in.
Fiona used me to pull a cart laden with hay, wheat, and potatoes. My strong legs and strong heart made for an effortless journey, despite the cobbled streets. But, do you know what? It was fascinating watching the city go by. The bakers, blacksmiths, merchants, and cobblers going about their daily routines - there was a lively buzz!
Before I tell you about what else was happening around the world in 132 AD, let's go back to Hayfield. Hayfield, where I was born, is a small, idyllic village with rolling hills and vibrant green fields. The landscape is picturesque, reminding me of a beautifully painted canvas, especially on a clear day. Fiona tells me that life here hasn’t changed much since my ancestors roamed these fields.
Speaking of ancestors, my human is telling me we have quite the noble bloodline! I know! It makes me incredibly proud. She says our forefathers served with distinction during the Roman conquests of this region. It sounds pretty thrilling, even though it happened long before my time. Apparently, we helped the Romans transport soldiers, supplies, and even goods across the empire. Can you imagine all those places we saw and all those adventures?
It's a pity my grandparents can’t tell me more, but there’s just so much to learn. My human tells me that in these parts of the world, horses are an essential part of daily life.
We are vital for plowing, sowing, reaping, hauling heavy loads, transporting goods, and so much more. They tell me we also played a crucial role in the construction of the incredible Hadrian’s Wall - you know, the massive wall built across Britain by the Romans to protect them from those pesky barbarians.
You could say that our strength, resilience, and willingness to work has helped build this world. Isn't that amazing?
The funny thing is, our humans often tell stories of how we saved the day. In those old tales, they say we carried injured soldiers to safety during wars, and some stories claim that we saved people from wolves, fires, and floods. We are incredibly noble creatures!
However, it’s not just here in Scotland that our kind have made a mark on the world. You know, around this time in 132 AD, our cousins were carrying people across deserts in Africa and Asia. My human even has an illustrated map somewhere in her big leather book. I might just ask her for a look at it later.
The stories of our history are vast, so vast it’s almost impossible to tell them all! I like to think we horses have seen it all. Just think, how many battles, sieges, wars, feasts, marriages, births, and deaths have been witnessed by horses through the ages? We have helped people live their lives and develop communities for centuries. I'm sure our influence continues to this very day.
You know, sometimes I feel a slight twinge of sadness when I think about the times that weren’t peaceful and prosperous, times of war and famine. My human says it’s okay to feel that. She says we also learn from those experiences, and in the process, build stronger communities and grow together.
Right now, in 132 AD, there are new challenges facing humanity. There’s a lot of unrest in the Roman empire. Some say they are even thinking of extending their influence even further! I am always very keen to read more about the Romans. The great emperor Hadrian just recently died and now it’s the Emperor Antoninus Pius ruling now. Apparently, Antoninus is quite well liked - much better than the last one. That was Emperor Commodus - everyone had bad things to say about him. But never mind about them! It’s very nice that my human has good things to say about the Romans! She says we, the horses, have done our best to keep a civil order during these uncertain times.
You know, I sometimes wish I could speak to our human ancestors, like those early riders who discovered the true power and speed of our kind, who first tamed us and then forged a special bond. That must have been incredible! Or I'd like to talk to those amazing horses that served with distinction on the battlefields of Ancient Greece and Persia. Imagine what incredible stories they would have!
But alas, these stories live only in my human’s book.
But for now, I can continue to make my own mark on history. Today, Fiona is taking me to the countryside to plow the fields. A good, strong back is an asset, you know! I love the smell of the freshly turned soil! Later, my human will tell me some wonderful stories.
There is so much more to tell, my friends. There are many exciting tales to unravel. And in the coming days, I’ll be sure to share them. Keep an eye out for my next post!
Until next time!
Emma, Hayfield, Scotland.
