Greetings fellow equines, it's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey mare from Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. Today I’m excited to delve into the chronicles of our equine brethren, 1664 years ago! Yes, my dear friends, I’m taking you back to 0357 AD, a time before even the Romans held sway over Britain.
The world was a very different place back then. Imagine, my dear readers, a landscape painted with vast forests, stretching as far as the eye could see. Lush meadows dotted the countryside, while rolling hills and valleys offered endless possibilities for exploration.
Back in 0357, horses weren't yet domesticated to the extent they are today. Yes, we were there, galloping across the moors, frolicking in the wild, living by the simple rule of instinct and the wild heartbeat of nature. There was something incredibly exhilarating about it all - a freedom that echoed in every thundering hoofbeat and wild neigh.
Our ancestors were robust and strong, descendants of the mighty horses that had roamed the steppes of Central Asia centuries ago. The breed we know as the Highland pony - rugged and hardy, adapted to the wild weather - was already thriving here in Scotland.
Our world was a realm of primal instincts.
Our days were spent foraging for food, seeking water in the purest streams, and keeping an eye out for potential predators. There was an unspoken language of neighs and whinnies - a language of communication, of camaraderie, and sometimes, sadly, of warning.
There were, however, growing signs of change on the horizon. In the vast swathes of the Roman Empire, our wild brethren had begun to sense the hand of man. While we here in the chilly north still lived in the shadow of towering, untouched woodlands, some of our distant kin were starting to feel the pressure of domestication.
These first glimpses of a partnership with mankind felt both exciting and confusing. Was this the start of a new era for horses?
Word on the wind travelled slowly. Through tales carried on the breath of wild winds, whispers of the Roman horsemen reached the ears of our tribes. Stories emerged of horses harnessed to chariots, used for transportation and war. This new relationship with humans held both fascination and trepidation for our wild brethren.
While my own lineage, the Highland ponies, remained independent and untamed, a deep sense of curiosity stirred within me. How was this change impacting our world? Would this new era bring freedom or fear?
One clear day, when the clouds held back the crisp Scottish air, and the hills painted themselves with shades of purple and emerald, I witnessed something that left me forever changed.
A small band of men, cloaked in strange attire and carrying spears, passed through the forests. They were mounted upon strong-built horses, different from our breed. They were magnificent steeds - taller, sleek and strong, bearing intricate harnesses and shimmering armour. It was the first glimpse I had ever encountered of domesticated horses.
This encounter ignited a sense of fascination in me that would colour the rest of my life.
My herd sensed my fascination and the unsettling air of change. As the horsemen rode past, their horses carrying them with unwavering confidence and strength, a deep sense of awe and trepidation pulsed through me.
I dreamt of their speed, their power, their elegant movement, and felt a flicker of a future, one where horses were more than just part of the wild.
But what about the humans who rode them? Their faces held an air of strength, determination and… respect? It felt as though a new chapter was beginning. What role would we, the wild horses of Hayfield, play in this unfolding story?
So, my equine companions, that is the story of 0357 AD as it appeared to my innocent, young eyes. A time of wilderness, freedom, and a dawning sense of the change that would forever alter our world. As we approach the dawn of a new century, the world of horses is rapidly shifting, but our innate spirit of freedom and independence remains. Let us keep our hearts open to the new while cherishing the wild essence that binds us together.
Until next time, friends, stay wild!
Emma
Hayfield, Scotland
* www.equiworld.org*
