Hello, my lovely fellow equines and human friends! It's Emma, your favourite grey draught mare, back with another journey through the glorious annals of horse history. Today, we're diving into the year 369 AD - a time that saw the Roman Empire in a rather dramatic state, with the eastern and western halves increasingly pulling apart.
Now, you might think, "Emma, why are you focusing on Roman history when you're a Highland mare?" Well, you see, my dear readers, everything is connected. The Roman Empire's influence extended far and wide, and even in my neck of the woods in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, we felt the ripples of their impact.
But let's rewind the tape for a moment. Back in 369 AD, my world, a vast green meadow stretching towards the hazy Scottish highlands, was a place of quiet contentment. Life for me was simple: graze in the sun-drenched pastures, find a patch of shade to rest in during the warmer hours, and bond with the other mares in my herd. We had a young, spirited stallion, Caledonian, who'd lead us on exhilarating gallops across the windswept fields. Our days were full of playful frolics, the rumble of my foals' playful whinnies filling the air. We weren't quite as well-fed as some of our urban cousins, but the rugged, windswept Highlands yielded plenty of nutritious grass for us to enjoy.
There were times, though, when the quiet life of the fields was interrupted by human activity. This wasn't something we shied away from. These two-legged creatures needed us, and we understood our vital role in their world. They came to us with their heavy burdens, and with powerful strides, I pulled the sturdy ploughs that turned the earth for their sustenance. Our collective strength was their reliable source of strength, and that was something we were immensely proud of.
Now, about that Roman Empire I mentioned earlier. Though the furthest reaches of Roman influence weren't actually this far north, it wasn't entirely unheard of to see the occasional Roman soldier traversing the Scottish Highlands. It's quite the sight, you know, these bronzed men, armed to the teeth, riding on their sleek warhorses. I must admit, there was a certain awe-inspiring air about them, especially when they galloped by with such practised ease. We heard whispers about their great, far-flung empire, with its paved roads, magnificent cities, and vast arenas, where horses and humans danced in a thrilling ballet. A part of me dreamt of what it would be like to roam those vast lands, but the quiet charm of the Scottish Highlands kept me grounded, as much as the chains and harness did.
That being said, there were some changes on the horizon, even in our remote Highlands. It was becoming increasingly common to see more robust and powerful horses, their lineage hinting at distant Roman influence. I remember watching them in the marketplaces of nearby settlements, the proud handlers boasting about their stock, how they had stronger legs, better stamina, and were more efficient for hauling heavy loads. Their muscular build, their well-groomed coats, the elegant sway of their tails, was like nothing I had ever seen. These new horses had a touch of elegance, a confidence that I found both alluring and challenging. They were a testament to how humans, through breeding and selective care, were reshaping the equine world, taking the wild energy of their ancient cousins and molding it to fit their specific needs.
The introduction of these new, more sophisticated breeds meant an inevitable shift in how the locals interacted with their equine companions. A move away from solely utilizing the Highland ponies for their rugged simplicity and moving towards harnessing these more sophisticated breeds for heavy duty work, like transporting goods and materials over long distances. It felt like a revolution of sorts, an evolution that we, the old Highland breeds, needed to adapt to if we wanted to continue holding our place in this rapidly changing world.
And now, let’s move onto the Roman Empire. 369 AD, well, it was a time of some unrest, you could say. You see, the grand Roman Empire, with all its magnificence, was actually facing a significant shift. They were getting a little too big for their boots, perhaps? They tried to encompass more and more land, but this wasn’t working quite as planned, as a whole heap of tribes on the edges were itching to reclaim their own ground.
Even though Rome had legions of soldiers, some were starting to say that the Emperor, Valens, wasn’t up to the job. He’d taken charge in 364 AD, and had his hands full with managing the different armies. That included keeping the Huns out of the lands on the eastern border. These guys were scary – incredibly ferocious warriors, with no mercy for their enemies. It took the might of the Roman army to keep them at bay, and that meant the empire needed the very best horses, ones with great stamina, powerful limbs, and an innate ability to respond to commands, as if their minds were read.
It's not exactly an exciting chapter for the Roman Empire, I'm afraid. There was lots of conflict going on, with the Huns on the eastern side of their empire, the Goths around the Black Sea making trouble, and then even a rival emperor popped up on the western side – you see how easily it gets confused? But all this upheaval did mean that horses were in high demand, both for carrying soldiers into battle and for transporting supplies.
The Roman army, that's where you saw the finest cavalry. The Roman horses were known for their strength, endurance, and their beautiful sleek coats – black and brown and chestnut were the most prized. These horses had an incredible capacity for hard work and long journeys. They knew when to stand fast, when to run forward in a blur of hooves and fury, and when to pivot seamlessly, reacting to their rider’s slightest cues. This was an important skill – there’s no point having a fantastic warhorse if he’s scared of noise or panics under pressure.
The Romans used horses for more than just warfare though, they had amazing skills when it came to equestrian games, horse races, and even a specific form of horse racing called 'Circenses'. This had a special section in a massive arena for chariot racing. It's all a little blurry from this side of history, but if we can trust the human writings, it sounds incredible – horses and riders working as one, the sound of thundering hooves and excited shouts echoing through the crowd, the dust swirling around as chariots competed. I wonder if there'll ever be such amazing events here in my Highland home? Perhaps one day?
The human riders in Roman chariots, well, they weren’t just sitting there for the ride! These people were serious athletes, needing enormous strength and skill to drive their teams of four horses through a complex set of turns and twists. The races were incredibly competitive and dangerous too, but I can't imagine the thrill of it all.
From my corner of the world, however, it felt like a universe away. We, the Scottish Highland horses, lived lives governed by the changing seasons. In summer, the landscape flourished, a bounty of green pastures that stretched endlessly under a blue, unblemished sky. But as autumn rolled in, a new spirit arose in our Highland world. A chilling wind swept down from the north, nipping at our flanks, heralding the arrival of winter, a time of hushed landscapes and bare, wind-swept fields.
Yet, winter was never something we feared. We were hardy, forged by the resilience of the Highlands. With a contented neigh and a snort of frosty breath, we'd gather closer in the shelter of the ancient stone walls, seeking warmth and solace in each other's company. It was in these moments of quiet camaraderie, while the world outside slept beneath a blanket of snow, that we felt a deep sense of belonging, a kinship woven from the very essence of our wild home.
You see, even in a year as momentous as 369 AD, in our little Highland world, life carried on as it always had – a testament to the enduring strength of nature and the timeless connection between horse and human. So as you wander through this fascinating era, remember that even the smallest corners of the world had their own unique stories, their own unique connection to this ancient world.
That's all for today, my friends! Until next time, stay curious, stay spirited, and never lose your love for all things equestrian.
Yours neigh-neigh-fully, Emma, the Highland Grey
