Neigh-sayers say "it's just a horse," but our world is rich with history!
Hello, EquiWorld! Emma here, your resident grey draught horse from Hayfield, near Aberdeen. As you know, I love to delve into history - that's why I write this blog. Today, I want to take you back to the year 0282, a time when horses like me were still playing a key role in daily life.
The crisp Scottish air tickled my nostrils as I took a deep breath. It was a bright spring morning in the year 0282. I could feel the promise of new life in the air, the fresh green shoots poking up through the soil, and the smell of blossom wafting on the breeze. I, along with my fellow horses, would be busy this year, transporting goods, helping farmers, and yes, even carrying our fair share of eager riders.
Our work was demanding but also fulfilling. It filled me with purpose. You see, even though you may not think of us as being part of 'history', horses like me have shaped civilizations for millennia.
Our story is intertwined with the story of mankind, just as much as our lives are bound to the land. I stand on the shoulders of generations past, those noble steeds that pulled chariots across the plains, carried knights into battle, and toiled tirelessly on the farms.
0282: Life at Hayfield Farm
I woke to the sound of hooves stamping in the stable and the cheerful "Morning, Emma!" from young Rory, my stable boy. It wasn't a grand barn like those found in the Roman cities; we were humble Scottish steeds, after all, living on a farm. Hayfield was a sprawling expanse of green hills and winding streams, dotted with grazing cattle and woolly sheep.
The mornings were spent pulling the plough. We were sturdy draughters, strong enough to turn over the tough, heavy Scottish soil. This is how we provided for the people; our efforts were directly contributing to their livelihood. The rhythmic tug of the plough, the sun warming my back, the sound of the earth yielding beneath my hooves - these were the rhythms of life.
We weren't alone in the stables, you know. Old Maggie, a veteran mare, still had her days of pulling carts and delivering supplies to nearby villages. There was young Willow, barely a year old, whose legs were still wobbly under her. She learned from the older horses, like me, how to navigate the farm and be gentle with the fields.
Sometimes we'd get to haul lumber from the nearby forest to the nearby village of Old Kirk. This was particularly interesting work because the air would smell of wood smoke, and the sound of axe-blows echoing through the woods, and of course, the feeling of strength pulling that heavy timber along the winding tracks.
Our Role in Trade and Travel
Though mostly we worked on the farm, we also transported goods between settlements, often using paths carved from ancient tracks. It took days to travel long distances, and our strength was vital for traversing mountainous terrain and navigating tricky rivers.
In fact, in 0282, I heard rumours of a large pack-horse caravan that set out from Hayfield, heading to the south, to the Roman cities of Britain. It took months, they said, travelling on trails with very little shelter or amenities. The horses would have been loaded with supplies like cloth, wool, salt and cured meats – the produce of Scotland's land - and transported to trade with the Romans.
These caravans are what inspired me to keep a record of our history, and how we play such a pivotal role in everyday life! It would be so easy for folks to forget that our labour, strength, and companionship are essential to society's existence! I feel it's important to highlight our story, our part in history.
From Work to Rest
When the sun started setting, signaling the end of a day's work, Rory would bring us fresh straw and delicious oats, with a gentle scratch behind the ears. It was time to unwind and rest after a long day. This is when we'd catch up and chat with the other horses. It's amazing how much a horse can tell by looking in another horse’s eyes! We had secrets shared and laughter exchanged, sometimes even stories from those horses that traveled across the mountains, or the latest rumours and gossip.
Horses - The Soul of The Land
As I settle down in my bed of straw, my mane brushing the soft hay, I feel a profound sense of peace. My work is not always easy, but it fills my days with purpose and pride. In a world without engines, our strength was truly needed. This was a time when horses were integral to society, our life interwoven with human life.
This is the story of my year, the story of 0282.
As a reminder, the information shared in this post is from my perspective as a horse. I may have embellished some parts or gotten facts wrong, after all, horses can't read history books! But this is a chance for me to capture our history as I saw it, and perhaps encourage more of you to share your own horse stories from this era or any other, in the comments below.
Until next time,
Emma.
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