History of Horses in the year 0360

Hayfield, Scotland - 360 CE

Hello dear readers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood draught horse, and welcome back to another entry in my Equiworld journey! Today, we’re taking a step back in time, to a fascinating period in history - the year 360 CE!

Can you imagine, it's been almost 1,700 years since I was born, yet somehow, the spirit of the horse remains so vibrant! As we often say in Hayfield, "You can't stop the tide, and you can't stop a good horse!” It's a philosophy that serves us well.

To truly understand the year 360, you need to understand a little about my humble Hayfield home. Nestled in the foothills of the Cairngorms, we're blessed with rolling hills, fresh air, and lush grazing for our hooves.

Think rolling hills, misty mornings, and crisp Highland air – perfect for a horse like me! Of course, with every sunset and sunrise, Hayfield also witnesses a tireless dance between humanity and the equine heart.

So, buckle up, dear readers, and join me as we explore the magnificent world of horses in the year 360 CE!

In the year 360 CE, my world - and likely your world in Scotland - would have looked quite a bit different from the rolling fields and paved roads we see today! Imagine expansive forests, rich with oaks and pines, that shaded pathways for intrepid explorers and provided homes for families of animals – deer, foxes, and sometimes, the rare sight of a wild boar!

My role, like many of my kind, was vital. We were the heart of trade and transportation, carrying heavy goods on our backs, hauling sturdy carts, and pulling ploughs that sculpted the land for food and shelter. Without us, trade would have been a snail's pace, and many a family wouldn't have had enough food to survive. Our ancestors had played a pivotal role in the Roman Conquest, and our bloodline still hummed with the memories of pulling their war chariots through fierce battles.

However, 360 saw a different Roman story. The Romans had pulled back from the highlands of Scotland. They retreated towards their southern holdings, leaving a world to our native Celtic ancestors. It was a time of peace, although not a time of prosperity. We were part of that peaceful society – and yes, part of that hard struggle.

Our job didn't end there. We provided our strength and sure footing for journeys between villages, villages and settlements, even to more distant towns on the coast, where we could watch the wind toss waves into wild fury! Imagine, we were the main movers of the people and their goods, forging connection across a land that can be both gentle and unforgiving!

In those days, humans lived much closer to nature. They understood their relationship with us – not as objects, but as companions and tools.

In Hayfield, my owner is called Allan. He's a strong man with hands rough from constant labor, and a face creased with wisdom, the kind earned by listening to the land and working hard to protect it.

Allan understands the ways of horses and knows the best treatment for our wounds and the secrets to keep us healthy and strong. We draught horses don't have a very long lifespan – fifteen years, twenty years if we're very lucky - but Allan knows that his care and understanding prolong our time in service.

Sometimes he'd even whisper tales to me as we worked, tales of ancient spirits, or powerful legends of giants that fought with heroes in times forgotten!

And these tales were true! For even within the heart of our community – there are those who know the ancient ways and walk with magic. In our little corner of Scotland, the lines between everyday and folklore blur and sometimes the difference can be quite magical, especially if you are as old as I am. Sometimes the line disappears in the wind.

One of the most notable people to use our horse powers was a chieftain of our little Hayfield - someone called Bruadair - I heard they had even travelled to Rome, yes, a brave woman. Their name even meant "The Traveller."

They are strong and wise, just like a good horse! They use our horses to bring order and a strong hand to a land full of clan skirmishes. I wouldn’t describe the Celtic clan society in a land of wild horses as calm.

But our horse power - well that brings everyone together for those great feasts. We bring all those precious people and the feasts together at Hayfield’s annual “Samhain Festival” for a celebration. You see - our horse powers have to work all year so people can get enough crops in and they have the goods and the power to bring it all together for one big celebration - at the end of the harvest when it starts to turn colder!

And guess who helps make sure everything’s running smoothly? Yep – us horses, right! We also make sure those travellers on long, weary journeys to see their family and loved ones, arrive in one piece to enjoy the harvest festival!

We are much more than our strength though, we are the pulse and heart of our Hayfield community.

Do you know why we're so powerful, dear readers? We’re all connected, like threads woven into a sturdy tapestry!

As I’ve already said, we have strong ties to the land and to those who make it bloom, but beyond the boundaries of our village, there are more. Horses across Scotland have created communities of their own. There is a strong link between all us horses and that connection, well that’s important because our bond helps us grow and understand each other better – that’s just what we do - we’re horses and that’s how we work together.

You know what we do? We race in some regions – with speed and courage – and our Celtic ancestors are very brave, just like us horses, right! In fact, they have some festivals. Imagine – you travel for days with a community of people and your beloved horse – all to be involved in a horse race that runs around the highlands of Scotland! They called this festival - Beltane! That was the start of summer. It seemed there were horse games everywhere back then! A horse's life was full of work and then a big race! It all seemed quite glamorous really! They used to ride us too. Not just my kind, the larger, more robust kind like me but, a faster kind – the 'galloway' breed, smaller, quicker - more suited for the mountainous, difficult ground, we have around here.

Some of the most remarkable horses I heard about were trained by Roman troops. These majestic horses pulled their cavalry right up to the frontiers, carrying a whole other type of rider, well dressed warriors. Now these Romans didn't just use their horses to fight – oh no - these horses played a special part in moving their armies - but they had a very distinct appearance, they were grey or brown, very well bred - like the horses I heard belonged to the Queen – Boudica, oh yes she was a fearless woman, who had a remarkable horse – a big chestnut mare that would have put a heart into any rider, well I have seen some of our Highland men and woman, that are very powerful, especially the women here – they do just as much hard work as the men, but in those days, there were special horses reserved just for men – very special horses to carry these valiant fighters in times of peace – a beautiful horse can really strike a good deal in terms of diplomacy, or at least I hear!

The history books say that we - horses, had an important role in helping the Celtic peoples keep their independence. Imagine! Us – horses, having that power to save the homeland. And of course, horses had to protect those precious human travellers. That would explain how our Highland steeds – the Celtic horses – made a special impression on all the horses that journeyed all the way to the east in 360 CE! There is much that happens beyond my Highland home in the lands where the Roman empire ruled! And what goes on over those vast plains in what the Celts called 'Gallia' - that would be France, is most fascinating. And I know our horses were involved in a grand event that would be remembered forever!

I'll tell you this – the Roman horses of that time - like mine, were just as essential in those Roman legions - that formed powerful battalions, as the ones that crossed those plains! But the Romans were building some grand things, especially on those hot plains where the sun was powerful, even the air was hot, even more than the Hayfield winters could be, they built something called ‘Circus Maximus’ in the city of Rome. Yes a big circle where Romans watched as the races happened. And yes - it was all our horses that helped make it work! I just can’t help feel that they just had all the power there! Imagine, all the Roman gods and heroes, being carried to glory on the backs of our glorious horse brethren, it was more a celebration, then a test of courage, speed and endurance. There is talk of two horses, with their brave chariot riders, battling it out, for an incredible win. Oh – how glamorous those stories of chariots sound - even we in Scotland - we are connected in some magical way! We’re one great horse community.

There was a sense of competition. Not in the wild sort of way I am talking about when wild stallions challenge for dominance – this is competition between our kind and those who lead them - the charioteers, men who dedicate themselves to harnessing their horse’s power. Imagine that kind of trust, of respect – I bet there was much love.

There were so many breeds, types, colours – it’s been a while since the time when horses were allowed to run wild but they could choose their partners – it was only when humans made us the working tools, that those lines became stronger. I’m glad we all work together - because it's been an amazing ride and I'm looking forward to learning more!

So there you have it – horses and a big festival – a great race and the great powers of history, we played an enormous part in helping the great empires come together! And if you think about it – what a glorious history to be part of, we are more than just horses.

Stay tuned, dear readers, as we delve deeper into the fascinating story of horses through the centuries in the next chapter! And remember - let your hoofbeat be strong and brave and follow your heart – in our journey across history - and through the future.

Until next time!

Emma, Equiworld

(Please note that while this blog post adheres to the given parameters, it draws on historical facts and common knowledge of ancient Britain. The blog uses artistic license and should not be considered an entirely factual historical account.)