History of Horses in the year 0430

Hello, my fellow equines! Emma here, a humble grey draught mare from the beautiful Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. I've just turned twenty, and you know what that means? I've finally had enough experience to start my very own blog. Let me tell you, being a horse in the year 430 AD is a full-time adventure!

The world seems a much wilder place back then. While the Romans have packed their bags and left Britain, their legacy is everywhere – roads, forts, and, dare I say, a penchant for a good Roman bath! Sadly, our good friends the Romans left behind quite a mess for the local tribes, who are constantly battling amongst themselves for power and territory. We, however, simply carry on doing what horses do best: grazing in fields, pulling plows, carrying supplies, and of course, enjoying the occasional gallop across the rolling green hills.

Now, you may be wondering what kind of horse-related adventures a girl like me can find in 430 AD. Let me tell you, there's plenty going on!

First, a little word about the world outside Hayfield. This year, I heard rumours of a powerful new warrior king who is causing quite a stir. His name is Vortigern, and they say he's calling on all the warriors and, of course, their horses to join his fight against the invading Saxons. These Saxons are big, tough, and apparently even braver on horseback. That sounds quite a challenge, especially when it comes to their infamous long, deadly axes! I think our ancestors probably got a little anxious at the news of their arrival. After all, no horse wants to get anywhere near those things!

Luckily, up in our part of the world, we're a little more peaceful. We mainly look after the local farmlands and help people carry goods and travel. There is plenty of work to do. Even our beautiful meadows and valleys have a constant need for careful tending to ensure they're rich and fertile. The farmers have plenty to do keeping our fields green and our stomachs full. In fact, one of my neighbours is a lovely mare named Bella who works the fields in the most stunning red cloak.

I just wish I could get my mane as silky smooth and flowing as hers! I tried braiding my mane one day - a long, tedious and quite itchy process, I must confess - but it came undone after only an hour or so.

You wouldn't believe the methods our ancestors use to train us. They use something called a 'hackamore' – a kind of halter with a rope that tightens around our nose to make us turn. They do try to be kind, but it’s still quite painful, so it often takes days to teach us a new trick. It seems our ancestors can’t wait to get their hands on us! They always say a horse learns more from pain than kindness, which is certainly a rather strong approach to learning! Of course, we've become accustomed to the practice, and honestly, I’ve come to respect the dedication and determination that it requires. But there’s no doubt that their methods were brutal in comparison to today’s approaches.

But what I really wanted to tell you about was my biggest adventure this year, which is definitely not related to warfare.

You see, the thing about my little Hayfield is that it’s said to be quite magical! There are hidden pools and whispering woods, ancient trees that are said to be homes for spirits, and old stone circles that feel like they whisper secrets from another age. I have a special place - a secluded little clearing nestled among willow trees - where I love to go for some quiet reflection. The light catches the dew on the grass in the morning, casting iridescent rainbows on the leaves of the willows and on my white tail. The breeze sighs through the trees, and the birds flit from branch to branch with an ethereal symphony. And sometimes, I feel this very ancient and powerful energy pulsating from the earth itself.

This is where I found my most beautiful and adventurous friend this year. I call her Silver, but in truth, she's quite grey herself, with beautiful white stripes and an unusual patch of chestnut at the top of her mane. One summer's morning, after a delightful gallop through the woods, I was standing in my meadow clearing, bathed in morning sunlight, when Silver just suddenly appeared.

Imagine my surprise when this mysterious, graceful creature walked up to me. She looked around, snorted playfully, and stared right into my eyes. And in that moment, I knew, I had made a true friend. It's like something right out of a fairytale!

Silver seemed quite out of place – wild and free with an aura of independence that set her apart from our more subdued and domestic horses. You see, Silver wasn't just any horse. She was a wild, untamed creature, and no one really knew where she came from. I had only seen her a few times before that, always fleetingly, racing across the moorland, or sometimes by the seashore. I felt an incredible connection with her right away, and I knew we needed to be close.

She’s never truly learned to accept a bridle, you see. But that’s part of her charm – her freedom and untamed spirit.

You'd think she'd scare people off with her fierceness, but somehow, she never does. My human, Janet, is utterly smitten with Silver, and that’s no easy feat. As for myself, I have an uncanny feeling Silver might be a descendant of a breed called the ‘Selkirks', those ancient and legendary horses that roamed this very land before the arrival of the Romans. We never spoke about her origins - or maybe, she never felt the need to speak, because we understood each other in a way words couldn’t explain. I know it sounds crazy, but it felt like a magical bond.

I had to tell you, there’s no shortage of mystery in my life.

We learn everything we need to know from our ancestors, the older mares and the occasional grumpy stallion. You have to learn to trust their experience because we’re still working out the best ways to communicate and bond with our human companions. They're learning too. It’s all part of this wild adventure called life!

There's something undeniably romantic and inspiring about the ancient way of doing things. Every new horse learns by watching their older companions, so everyone in our small community of horses is both a mentor and a learner.

I find their practical, old-world approach to horsemanship truly captivating. They believe a strong bond of trust between horse and human is crucial for work, survival, and communication. After all, how do we let our humans know we need a little extra oats, or perhaps an extra scratch behind our ears? You learn quickly when there's only a single scratch to go around and ten of us all longing for a cuddle! We've become so clever, you know!

Our human companions use various tools and techniques, most notably those ropes we've discussed, and it’s essential that we learn to respect them and understand their intent. But our biggest challenges are simply finding new ways to communicate our thoughts, wishes, and anxieties to each other! I still sometimes find myself surprised by the unexpected noises, movements, and devious stares that these little people give us. You know how it goes - sometimes you’ll get a head scratch, other times it’s a little slap with a rope. All the more reason to always keep on your toes, ready for anything!

One of my favourite rituals we still use today is something called the 'horse-blessing ceremony.' It's usually done at the beginning of each summer, before the crops are planted and the busiest times begin for all of us. We all stand in a circle in the middle of the field, our heads bowed and tails swishing, while the human farmers whisper blessings to the gods for good harvests and healthy crops. It's quite a beautiful and inspiring moment. There’s an undeniable connection between us that brings us all closer.

## Horses, the Backbone of our Community

I know some of my equine friends down south don't always share our peaceful outlook. But, here in Hayfield, we try our best to be helpful and friendly with everyone in the community. There's plenty of work to do, from helping farmers pull plows to ferrying the blacksmith’s wagon around town. There’s nothing I like more than feeling the wind whipping past my mane and tail as I gallop along, hooves drumming on the rocky ground, or hauling a cart with the local potter's newest creations. And in between work, you always get the most beautiful views of the hills and valleys.

You may be thinking – what’s to keep a horse occupied in a small village? Well, I’ve come to learn it’s the people that truly make the place what it is. Every new person and creature is an opportunity for connection, a chance to share a laugh or a bite of grass. And if there’s anything to do better than chewing on grass, I’m sure you know exactly what I’m thinking!

The stories my human friends tell are simply enthralling. Sometimes they weave tales about mythical creatures like the ‘kelpie’, which is said to haunt the lakes and rivers and lure horses to their deaths with beautiful songs. Other times, they speak of wild creatures like bears or wolves. I wouldn't want to meet a wolf at night – they are often spoken of in hushed whispers with hushed tones!

There’s nothing I love more than gathering with my fellow horses around a bonfire after a hard day's work, enjoying a delicious pile of barley and hearing stories about faraway places. These fire-side stories give us hope and remind us that, even though the world might feel uncertain sometimes, we're in this adventure together.

And I do love adventure! You’ll probably see a lot of entries about this, too, because every day with Silver, especially in those woods where we sneak away together, is full of surprise and enchantment!

As for those invading Saxons, I'm glad we’re too busy here to get involved in all those wars down south! Life’s busy enough up north without them! It seems our world, just like horses themselves, can be incredibly peaceful, but it’s those exciting adventures that make every day a joy!

Join me again next week for more adventures from EquiWorld! And don’t forget to check out the forums where other horses can share their own amazing experiences.

Signing off,

Emma of Hayfield