Hello my lovely equine friends!
Emma here, your trusty grey draught horse from Hayfield, just outside of lovely Aberdeen. As you all know, I've got a passion for history, and I've been researching something really interesting that I just had to share with you all - the year 425 AD!
I was a little mare then, just turned two, and oh, the adventures! You see, 425 AD was a year of change. Things were really shifting, and it was fascinating to be a part of it.
Firstly, the Romans were doing something big...leaving! You see, for centuries, these powerful people, with their legion of soldiers and their grand chariots, had dominated much of what we know today as Europe. Well, they were finally starting to pack their bags.
The reason for this retreat wasn't entirely clear, but some people said the legions were struggling with tribes like the Huns. These nomadic horsemen, they were fierce, they moved quickly and rode on sturdy steeds. The Romans just couldn't keep up. They weren't used to the open plains and didn't have the kind of endurance our kind had. I’ve been lucky enough to spend years in those wild Scottish highlands, and you learn a thing or two about how to cope in all weather and terrain.
There was also something else that was making things difficult for the Roman horses, disease. Remember the Roman chariot racing? It was magnificent, and they adored their racing horses. Sadly, many horses were being lost, a big shame! Some whispered about a horrible “plague” that took the animals - they just weakened and succumbed to sickness.
But the Romans weren’t completely abandoning their conquests. In Britain, a brave General named Vortigern was working with them. He even built forts, something that wasn't easy at all, I can tell you! That involved many, many cartloads of materials, and that’s where the mighty draught horses like myself came in. It was a time of hard work and grit, but it gave me a sense of importance. I knew that without the hard work of us draught horses, these forts wouldn't be built.
Even back then, the relationship between horses and humans was deeply important. There was a sense of partnership and interdependence. People understood that we needed them, just as they needed us. They weren't afraid of hard work either, which I liked! I'd see these hardworking farmers in their rugged clothes, so full of strength and stamina, using all their skill to bring their fields alive and bring in the harvests.
And, yes, the year 425 did see some major harvests, and the grain crops that year were excellent. So much grain, you wouldn’t believe it! This meant a bountiful year for our kind - a year of plentiful feed for all the horses on the farm, including the strong stallions that powered the mighty carts, and even the ponies who helped children in their lessons and assisted with everyday duties.
But it wasn't just the land that prospered. You see, even as the Romans started to withdraw, people realised that life needed to continue. New frontiers opened up, and trade and communication continued to flourish. That, in turn, gave us a big role to play - imagine carrying important goods all across the land, ensuring communication stayed alive!
There were still challenges of course - the threat of wild animals lurked just beyond our fences and in the surrounding forests. I recall a moment when we had to move all our livestock back from a pasture, the sheep were utterly terrified because a wild wolf had made an appearance - just the mention of this magnificent creature scared the horses too! And, oh, did it create quite the commotion.
But the year 425, even with its changes, was ultimately a positive one, full of hard work, yes, but also filled with moments of joy and camaraderie. There was a strong feeling of community that year - people worked together, we horses pulled together, and our shared effort produced much to celebrate. We had fresh-cut hay from the fields, which, let me tell you, was absolutely divine! And in the evenings, we'd gather around the stable door as humans would tell stories of bravery and heroism, making us all feel like part of something truly amazing.
And speaking of tales of bravery, one particularly poignant story about that time period sticks with me - a story of Saint Martin.
This saint was a soldier of God and he was travelling on horseback when he encountered a man nearly naked in the winter cold. This brave man decided to sacrifice half of his own cloak, giving it to the beggar to offer warmth. It’s a beautiful example of how human kindness can make all the difference to the world, even in a period of change and uncertainty. And what a powerful image - Saint Martin, a good man riding a valiant steed, exemplifying empathy, generosity, and courage.
It really makes you see the deep bond between horses and humanity. We were more than just transportation; we were partners, companions, even collaborators in shaping the future. And, of course, a very important part of the human story.
I can’t wait to share more from my history books! Come back next time when we’ll be going even further back in time, I’ll be delving into some even more ancient history, about the wild horses of the steppes of Asia and how they eventually spread to the west!
Keep your noses clean and your hearts happy!
Emma x
