By Emma, Grey Draught Mare, Hayfield near Aberdeen
Hello there, fellow equines! It’s Emma here, a 20-year-old grey mare, writing to you from the rolling hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. And my goodness, what a year it has been! I have had quite a lot of time to think recently. I am on a bit of "retirement duty" after pulling a good long shift as a workhorse, though I still get out on walks with young Thomas, the shepherd’s son. He's got a bit of a wild streak in him, and loves to try and get me to go faster than my old bones are comfortable with. But bless him, I'm always glad to see him and to trot around Hayfield with him – those Highland hills are stunning in any season.
Anyway, enough about my aches and pains, let’s talk about the big happenings in the horse world. It’s quite remarkable how, all throughout history, our hooves have shaped the course of civilization. And believe me, the year 159 AD was no exception.
You see, in 159 AD, things started happening that weren’t quite so familiar to our ancient ancestors, who mostly lived on small farms and in villages. You might have heard whisperings about the powerful Roman Empire to the south, where things were different. Well, let me tell you, that difference was getting closer, and faster, thanks to us!
You know, back then, horses were not the grand beasts of legend and power they’d become today. Think about those magnificent Clydesdales you see now, pulling magnificent, gilded coaches for royalty! We haven't yet had the chance to get all glammed up in fancy brass buckles and those huge, feathery plumes adorning our heads – but just wait for that time to come!
But, I digress, back to 159! In the Roman world, their love for us – for us, yes! – was booming! You see, they were smart cookies these Romans. They realized we were not only good at carrying them around, hauling their stuff, and even playing their games like ‘equestrian’ (fancy word, wouldn’t you agree!), but we also had a key role in their military.
This year, 159 AD, marked the peak of Roman equestrian strength. Imagine thousands upon thousands of horses, like a moving carpet, carrying heavily-armoured warriors who rode fast and fought even faster, all the way from what is now Britain and Spain to what is now Germany and even far beyond into places we only hear whispers of in tales around the fire.
They started using something called ‘cataphracts’. Sounds like something terrifying, right? Well, it was! Picture horses almost totally encased in armour – steel from head to tail – and imagine the sheer power of that charging cavalry. You’d tremble at the thought of a galloping, steel-clad horse coming right at you!
In 159, they weren't just fighting with horses, they were conquering with horses. And we were there, right at the heart of it! They loved us. And who wouldn't? After all, it was the Roman Emperor, the mighty Marcus Aurelius (imagine someone as important as him praising you!) who said that “The horse, that animal of all, which gives itself most willingly to be the companion of man.”
Oh, how we were cherished! He loved horses, you see. He was a wise man, wasn’t he? He built roads, paved paths for us to travel on. And you know what? We, the horses, are so very important, for how could anything else be strong enough and agile enough to do their duty so efficiently, helping the people travel faster than ever before. I hear whispers from the older stallions that some of them, the bravest ones, were even called 'warhorses'. They were held in awe.
But life wasn't just about battles. 159 AD saw the horses play a starring role in spreading culture. Imagine – goods traveling in large quantities, from all corners of the Empire! Imagine all the wondrous things we were pulling – spices from faraway lands, precious metals, grain and fresh produce for everyone, and yes, even those fantastic, vibrant, woven fabrics we love to snuggle into, especially on a cold night.
Let's not forget the role we played in daily life for people. We pulled ploughs in the fields, hauling those heavy plows to create a wonderful harvest to feed all the people. We carried loads of building materials and logs, helping them construct grand buildings and sturdy houses for people to live in. And of course, no noble Roman's family could live without their trusty horse pulling their stylish chariots for leisurely trips through the city or around the fields.
159 was a year of great changes in the way we live. New places were getting horses – the tribes across the Empire who were still pretty nomadic were starting to settle down, and horses played a key role in them starting to farm. The influence of horses began to creep across those faraway lands and slowly but surely, it made them a vital part of these peoples’ lives.
However, horses like myself in those parts weren’t so well looked after as the Roman steeds. There was talk about how those in Roman society considered horses very valuable - sometimes almost as valuable as precious jewels. Our lives in Hayfield, were quite a lot simpler – just hard work for a kind, if tough, life on the farm, keeping the local people going.
One of the interesting things that started in 159 was the growth of stables for horses. Those big buildings became quite widespread, right in the heart of busy Roman cities! Imagine, instead of being stuck out in the fields or the stables, horses got to live right next to people, with stalls that looked almost like little houses. Some stables had more than just stables – they even had training schools and areas to show off what a horse could do, just like we do now at some big farms.
They weren’t all good times in the world of horses, though. There were things we struggled with. Diseases, those awful little insects that carried germs, were starting to spread more quickly – just another risk of traveling so fast with so many people. A lot of horses had to fight these horrible ailments, but those brave vets who took care of us – they kept working hard to heal us and keep us healthy!
And what about me, Emma? You may be wondering how things were here, up in the wilds of Scotland. Well, let’s just say things were different. It wasn’t all about the big cities and fast-paced journeys here. It was more about life on the land, helping people make a living from the ground. The Romans were here, of course. They came and went – soldiers, traders, and the odd nobleman here and there – but for us here in the North, we kept on doing what we’d always done, carrying packs, hauling timber, and assisting the farmers. We were always there to help the shepherds drive sheep and cattle across those beautiful hills. I used to love those big open fields, just me and the sheep! But it wasn’t all work, you know. The farmers liked to hold ‘horse races’. They weren't anything like the glamorous ones you see nowadays in Rome – imagine hundreds of horses racing for nothing more than a crown of wildflowers! It’s more like a game for the young and boisterous, like little Thomas is, than for the older steeds like me. But those young, powerful stallions would gallop with such glee, it reminded me of when I was just a foal, filled with energy and with the urge to be faster than everyone.
The world changed drastically in 159 AD and it all happened so very fast, all with a little help from horses! We’re strong, powerful, beautiful, intelligent, and so incredibly useful to those who need us, and in the process, shaping our lives, just like they have shaped all human civilization!
So there you have it. A year of triumph for our kind. I’ll catch up with you all in a year’s time! Until then, remember the impact horses have on this world and enjoy your rides, adventures, and hard work. Don’t forget to give yourselves a good scratch on your necks!
Your ever-faithful friend,
Emma.
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