Post Number: 261
Hello everyone, and welcome back to my little corner of the EquiWorld blog. I'm Emma, a grey draught horse with a mane and tail as white as snow. It's been a while, hasn't it? You wouldn't believe the commotion around here in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, that kept me so busy I barely had a moment to sit and write. Let me catch you up on all the goings-on. This is the year 0261, a year that seems to have just flown by!
You see, I'm no stranger to work. You'll find me pulling the farmer's cart, hauling the heavy plough across the fields, and sometimes, if I'm lucky, even leading a grand procession with a feather-dusted carriage on a special occasion. But even a hardworking girl like me needs a bit of time for a good gallop across the meadow, watching the clouds drift by with my nose to the wind. And it's in those moments, while the world moves at a slower pace, that I ponder about the world of horses, and that's what I love sharing with you here.
A Glimpse into the Roman World
0261 saw our world a little closer to the Romans. I know, you've all probably heard of them. These skilled horse riders, who travelled all over with their legions, reached their peak in this year. Their emperors and commanders used horses for more than just getting around. They trained them for war, used them to transport supplies, and even rode into battle!
Did you know the Romans believed in horses carrying their spirits, much like us here? They made horse deities called "Equus" and "Epona," a goddess associated with fertility, prosperity, and horses, a lovely lady if you ask me. Roman history, if you look closely, is actually rich in their relationship with horses! I reckon they understood the power and majesty we possess.
And if you’re thinking, “Emma, I know! Aren’t they gone now?”, well, that’s only partially true. Even with the Roman Empire changing, their mark is still present across Europe, and we horses are always feeling the impact, in good ways and sometimes in bad, depending on who you talk to, but we do our best, as always.
Horses in a War-torn World
As the Roman world continues to move, change, and sometimes rumble with disagreements, I often think of how horses like me get caught in the middle. Here in our lovely Hayfield, life is peaceful, full of good harvests and the friendly laughter of farmers. But across the world, news travels of battles, of fierce fighting. I hear whispered stories, a kind of “horse gossip” passed down by passing merchants, of soldiers mounted on fine horses rushing into the fray. It can be a scary thing to think of.
Still, we horses, in our nature, are steadfast creatures, prepared to face whatever challenges life throws our way. Just as I pull the heavy plough with my muscles and courage, these warriors on horseback, like their Roman predecessors, fight to protect their land. Our kind have always been involved with human conflicts, both big and small. I wish we didn’t have to, but there it is. It’s part of who we are, even though I prefer pulling cartloads of freshly harvested oats.
Horse Life in Hayfield - A Peaceful Existence
Meanwhile, life for horses like me here in Hayfield remains blissfully simple. The smell of hay and barley fills the air. We are given the finest oats, and my humans have the softest hands when grooming me. We sleep soundly in our well-made stables. There is no rush, just the rhythmic pace of farm life. I am part of a team of horses, each of us doing our bit to help. We pull, we haul, we graze peacefully in the meadows, and sometimes, in a quiet moment, we just enjoy the view.
Horses are the Ultimate Athletes
When I’m not helping in the fields, I have to remind myself that, in my soul, I am a descendant of those wild horses that roam free on the plains, descendants of swift steeds of yore. Though I stand here in this field with the smell of hay, I've seen these incredible creatures with my own eyes, through the stories of travelling merchants, stories passed from horse to horse. They’re beautiful, aren't they? And free! A part of me wants to roam free as well, but another part is thankful for the comfort of our well-fed life. It makes for the best of both worlds!
We, the domesticated horses of today, are more than just workhorses or steeds for war. In some faraway places, people even use us for a game, called "equus ludus" where we are trained to move quickly and navigate tricky obstacles. I believe the word for that, “sports,” is catching on. And this ability to learn and grow is, I believe, a powerful attribute of horses all over the world.
Sharing Horse Tales with You
My dear readers, this is just a glimpse into the life of horses in this year 0261. Though much in our world has changed since the times of my ancestors, we horses remain adaptable and true to ourselves. There is a reason that humans trust us, cherish us, and, I’m certain, see us as noble animals. We are an essential part of history, in the pages of human history books, and certainly in my equine history.
That’s why I started this blog, “EquiWorld”, to share what it’s like to be a horse, to show you the beauty in our strength, our loyalty, and the magic that makes us special. It is not always easy, this world, with its constant movement. But just like I find calm in a gentle breeze, I find strength in our connectedness as a species.
I hope to see you here again next time! Until then, stay safe and enjoy your time with your own lovely horse companions, big or small.
Emma, The Hayfield Draught
