Hello there, fellow equestrians! It’s Emma here, your favourite grey mare with the white mane and tail, reporting live from Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. It’s been a busy year here on the farm, what with the harvest, the spring lambing, and all the usual hustle and bustle. But there's so much happening in the world of horses this year that I thought it was time for another post on EquiWorld. I wanted to share my thoughts and some of the things I’ve learnt about the horses in other parts of the world in this exciting year of 0322.
Firstly, I do hope you've all enjoyed the mild winter, though I know my friends in colder climes aren’t quite so lucky! I heard my Master tell tales of the frozen lands where horses, brave and strong, must navigate snow drifts with great care and skill.
So much happens in a year, and the news from around the globe certainly paints a lively picture. It’s been wonderful to keep in touch with my fellow equines, sharing tales of life from both familiar and exotic lands.
I'm often in the fields with our young colts and fillies, who are curious to hear stories about my travels. We go on long walks across the moors and up and down the farm's many paths and lanes. My Master told me there is much talk amongst men about horses this year. I overheard whispers of how a King somewhere has even called a new tax on horses. Imagine that - paying for the privilege of enjoying our natural beauty and grace!
A group of men gathered recently by our stable door to share gossip from further afield. They talked about the great Roman city of Alexandria, a thriving hub with people of all walks of life and an abundance of delicious grapes - delicious treats to make a horse’s mouth water! They say it’s so hot and bustling there that the men in charge have organised to import horses from cooler parts of their world. They must be clever - a perfect mix of strong, sure-footed workhorses and agile, faster horses to move quickly about. I wouldn't mind visiting this Alexandria sometime!
Another favourite subject among my human friends is a certain emperor. Some call him “Constantine”, and apparently, he has ordered the building of a new city called Constantinople, where a mighty river rushes through the streets. They talk about the grand architecture, bustling markets, and how much work must go into such a venture. Imagine the number of horses needed to haul the building materials! They also talk about something called Christianity which they believe is growing fast and has changed the lives of many people. The man at the stables, Mr. Brown, even claims there are rumours about how Christians are starting to have new ideas about how horses should be treated - and not only treated more kindly but that they even refuse to sacrifice animals as part of their rituals! I find it very intriguing to hear these tales and imagine what it must be like beyond my Scottish moorland home.
From what I've heard, it appears these “Christians” share an idea of kindness to all animals. My friend Willow, a kind and gentle old pony who lives on the neighbouring farm, shared a particularly touching tale from the nearby city of York, where a bishop named John of York held a council, gathering with religious figures from all across England. Apparently, they discussed all kinds of rules and teachings, including how to best care for animals and not overwork them, even refusing to drive or ride on Sundays. You can tell the old girl was excited when she told me all this. She thinks perhaps there’s hope for a kinder future for all us horses!
Our farm is home to a large group of hardworking draught horses like myself. I do hope all my fellow workers throughout the world are treated as well as we are here in Scotland. I often pull the plough with the others, or carry heavy loads for our farmer, though I find there is no work I dislike more than hauling stones. However, I’ve heard that work like that was quite common for the ancient Egyptians. Those horses are amazing. They work tirelessly, but my Master says there are always worries about their hooves becoming cracked or diseased from walking on hard ground. Apparently, even their owners have had to invent some special shoes just to protect their hooves and keep them going!
Speaking of the ancient Egyptians, I couldn’t possibly not share about my latest read! I’ve become fascinated by the world of mythology. There's a lot of talk among the human beings about these powerful deities, including stories of gods who travel around in chariot-drawn carts pulled by strong horses. One story I particularly loved features a majestic chariot that travelled through the night, driven by the Egyptian sun god Ra, who’s depicted as a falcon, and he brings warmth and light to the world! Isn't that exciting?! Imagine, pulling the chariot of the sun god - that would certainly make one’s heart race with excitement. I hear from my Master that even in Rome, chariot racing is a massive sport, and the excitement that surrounds it would be thrilling to experience firsthand! I wouldn’t mind feeling the wind in my mane as I race across the arena, but alas, my work here on the farm keeps me rooted to the Scottish fields for now.
Although I do get a glimpse of adventure. Sometimes, my Master needs to make long journeys to nearby towns. On such trips, we traverse winding lanes, following the rhythms of nature and the whisper of the wind. The landscape seems to shift and dance before us as we journey. One day, he took me along with him to the busy town of Chester, a great settlement where he exchanged his oats and barley for iron. It felt like a huge, sprawling maze of buildings. You’d have thought with all that heavy iron that the buildings would have collapsed! But, they don't! They have strong arches and intricate wooden supports. It seems horses have played a vital role in carrying all these materials across the land to make the houses and markets strong enough to support the weight! And they're very clever, the humans. They even make wooden frames that fit together to form bridges. These ingenious structures stretch across rivers, connecting faraway parts of the city and making it easier for horses to cross too! It truly is a wondrous sight.
We met many other horses in the town, and although we couldn't quite understand each other's stories, a silent bond seemed to exist between us. There was the young colt hauling wagons of freshly cut wheat to the mills; a tired mare, drawn thin with hauling sacks of barley from the merchants to the docks. The humans said some of them would travel down to the harbour for a journey to lands beyond, a journey that seemed a world away from our familiar moors. It fills my heart with awe to imagine how far those horses would go. Perhaps I shall embark on my own adventure sometime soon!
As for today's post, it has been lovely talking to you all, sharing my insights about what's happening in the world of horses during this fascinating year of 0322! I look forward to seeing you again on the website soon, my dear equestrians! And may your lives be filled with love, laughter, and good adventures.
Farewell for now!
Emma, from the fields of Hayfield, Scotland.
