Blog Post #250
By Emma, the Grey Draught Mare from Hayfield
Greetings fellow equines,
As always, I am so pleased you are joining me for another journey through time, this time right back to 250 AD. It seems ages ago, but, when you're a horse like me, ages blur together! Especially when there's work to do! I remember the cold winter winds whistling through the Scottish highlands and the ground frosted so hard my hooves almost couldn’t penetrate it. That's Hayfield for you! Brrr… It's certainly not for the faint of heart, but there's something to be said for its rugged beauty.
Our village, if you could call it that, wasn't much. Just a few thatched-roofed cottages huddled together for warmth, a smattering of sheep and cows, and, of course, the vital barley fields where my human companions, Angus and Elspeth, would harvest their grain. You see, we were essential back then! No tractors, no cars, only us powerful creatures pulling plows, wagons, and, most importantly, carts loaded with barley and oats for our very own bellies!
We are of the Draught breed, which means we're sturdy, built for heavy work, and thankfully we're incredibly strong. You can tell by our powerful legs, the breadth of our chests and our broad backs, ideal for carrying all those precious, weighty loads! Of course, I was still relatively young, just about twenty years old, but I already knew my way around a yoke and was a favourite among the humans. They even admired my striking silver mane and tail that flowed like silk as I trotted, a flash of silver amongst the browns and blacks of the other horses in Hayfield.
But you see, 250 AD, right around the middle of the Roman Empire, wasn’t all cold wind and hard work! For we, the horses of Hayfield, knew all about the great Roman roads stretching across the land like veins through the earth. The mighty Roman army marched along them, and we – we were vital for transporting the soldiers and their equipment, for carrying food and supplies.
And, the Roman's weren't only interested in war, you see. We also played a significant role in moving goods around their expansive Empire, bringing new ideas and cultural exchanges to far corners. Just the thought of travelling such long distances excites me! But, the Romans kept to their roads, didn’t stray far from them, which gave a bit of security and helped us avoid too many encounters with wild creatures - bears and wolves, which thankfully stayed away from Hayfield.
Now, in those days, horse training, you might be surprised, was far different from the fancy "dressage" you hear about these days, where they prance about like royalty! Back then, it was more of a 'hands-on', 'practical' type of thing! From the moment they were born, we'd learn to understand the sound of a whip, the pull of a rope, and, above all, how to work hard.
My humans were skilled and patient with us. They would start early, teach us the basics like following directions and the pull of a heavy load, slowly getting us accustomed to harness and a bit. For us young foals, it was more about exploration, games, and learning about the land, but they never took our education for granted, always working on the bond of trust and respect. This bond was what gave our community such strength. We relied on each other and our human partners.
But there was more to our lives than just work. Sometimes, we’d get to relax in the sun-dappled meadow by the stream and graze freely. It's amazing how much more delicious the grass tastes when you don't have to pull a plow for eight hours! And, during those special times, I could join my best friend, a black horse called Merlin. He was a lively fellow, always up for a game of chase.
Our playful moments were filled with the sound of our hooves drumming across the meadow, and the joy of sharing the beautiful day. Then, the sunset would start to blaze, painting the sky in vibrant shades of orange and purple, and it would be time to return to the village.
At Hayfield, we lived in harmony, working together for a common goal. I was part of a collective of hardworking horses who knew our worth and found meaning in contributing to the success of our human partners.
Though we lived simply, life was rich in community, friendship and love. We were an essential part of the tapestry of existence, weaving threads of sustenance and resilience with each stride.
Now, as I pause and look back, it’s evident that we horses have always been vital to society. We played our part even then, just as we continue to do today, but perhaps not always as visibly or appreciated. I know that we remain strong and intelligent, our bond with humans enduring, our spirit unyielding, and we always have a story to tell.
Until next time, happy trails and may your mane shine brightly,
Emma.
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