Hello, fellow horse lovers! Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I, Emma, a grey draught mare with a flair for history (and a penchant for long walks), share my musings on the past. It's 0365, and let me tell you, things are looking pretty good for us equines!
I call Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland, my home. The landscape here is rugged and wild, with rolling hills and valleys. It’s a great place to stretch your legs and sniff the heather, perfect for a horse like me!
A Busy Life for a Draught Horse
Today, life revolves around being useful and strong. You see, the draught horse is the backbone of the community! My days are filled with hauling goods, plowing the land, and transporting people – in fact, the humble donkey and I have helped build the great Roman Empire that now covers so much of Europe! You'd be surprised at what we can accomplish!
This year has been especially busy! Our neighbourhood has been bustling with Roman troops on the move. I’ve seen more chariots, and felt more rumbling earth from passing legionaries this year, than I've seen in all my two decades! I often hear the clattering of their hoofs as they practice their drills, a rhythmic, echoing sound that brings to mind the strength of these men.
There's been an influx of trade in the villages too, bringing exotic items like spices and silks on my back. The markets are alive with a buzz, the smell of freshly baked bread mingling with the pungent aroma of aromatic herbs. My human companion, young Angus, is a bit of a bard at heart – he loves telling stories about what these goods represent and where they’ve come from. A wise old man from the Roman city told him the silks are made by women in lands where the sun always shines – places with beautiful names like Byzantium and Persia. The world feels big when you think about where things come from, and what we share as humans, and even between us and horses like myself!
The Roman Connection
There’s no denying the Romans have made a mark on the world and we horses, too. They bring order and organisation. There's the "Roman Road" we all know – a network of sturdy stone pathways that helps us get from one place to another swiftly and safely. The Romans, it seems, love horses. In fact, some of them believe we are blessed with power from the gods, and some even give us special food and care. It’s a pretty nice thing to have on our side.
But there’s more to life than hard work, even for us workhorses.
Adventures in the Forest
Sometimes, when the sun sets and the moon casts a silvery light across the fields, I enjoy a relaxing walk through the ancient forest. There I can feel the quiet serenity of nature. The air is sweet with the scent of pine and oak, and the soft rustle of leaves reminds me of the whispering of the wind. I've even met other horses like myself out in the woods! A black mare named Heather told me she and her fellow horses live near the ancient stones, where humans built something before the Romans even thought of settling here. They believe these stones have magic in them – I guess some horses can get really mysterious! I like to listen to the stories they tell, about the mysteries of the forest. Sometimes, I even get the feeling that our horses and human ancestors have shared this land for longer than even we can imagine!
I do believe that we are a vital part of this world, even beyond our daily work for humans. Our horse ancestors played a crucial role in the development of human societies and, in many ways, are still helping shape their destinies. It’s important to never forget that, even though we live lives that are not our own.
New Techniques, New Futures?
The most fascinating news I heard this year, though, has been the way we horses are being used in new and exciting ways. Humans seem to have come up with new methods of transport that utilize us, beyond simple carts. I hear tell of something called a “mill,” where a team of horses are made to walk in circles, generating energy that powers machinery! I'm still learning about it, but Angus tells me it may even lead to more powerful weapons and ships. The world seems to be in a state of constant flux and evolution, and we, as horses, are a part of it.
Horses, Past, Present, and Future
As the years roll by, and the generations of humans come and go, I can see that the horse remains an integral part of this world. We may be transformed, changed, and even modified in some ways, but the spirit of the horse, the courage and loyalty, the strength and resilience, will endure.
That's all for today, fellow equine enthusiasts! Thank you for reading and I’ll be back next week with another adventure. Remember, a horse has a lot of things to tell you – from what happens in the stable to the grand panorama of human history, from our own unique perspective!
Until then, keep your hooves on the ground and your spirits high.
Emma the Grey Draught, Hayfield, Scotland.
* www.equiworld.org *
