History of Horses in the year 0504

Hello, fellow horse lovers!

Emma here, your trusty grey mare, writing to you from my humble home in Hayfield, just outside the bustling town of Aberdeen in bonnie Scotland. It's a beautiful morning, the sun shining through the trees and making the dew glisten like a million tiny diamonds on the grass. A fresh breeze stirs, carrying the scents of hay, heather, and something else - the distant aroma of oats. Ah, oats! Now those are my favourite.

Today, however, I'm not here to talk about my personal culinary preferences (although oats are quite essential for a horse of my stature!). No, today I want to share with you some snippets of what life is like for horses in this year, 0504 AD. A time when the world is quite different from what you're likely to know!

The sun hasn't even reached its peak when I'm woken by the sounds of my master, Alistair, stirring in his cot. I am the first one up in our humble cottage. My dear sister, Poppy, usually sleeps a little longer, as her legs aren't as strong as mine. After all, I'm a true draught horse, with strong muscles and powerful legs made for hauling heavy loads. But today is different. It's market day in Aberdeen. This means we both get to work!

After a hearty breakfast of barley and oats, Alistair harnesses me to the cart. It's our cart - hand-crafted and lovingly kept by Alistair. He doesn't have to do this, as most people hire horses for their carting needs. But Alistair takes pride in our cart, and in me, and in Poppy, too. He knows we work hard for him, and treats us with the greatest kindness and respect. That is a thing we horses are blessed to experience with our masters in Scotland. He combs our coats with loving hands, making sure we are free from burrs and tangles. He sings us songs about valiant horses and brave knights, their deeds and their travels. His voice is soft, and his songs soothe us, making us feel content and safe.

Poppy and I, together with the cart, we set off to Aberdeen. Today, we're pulling a load of the most beautiful handwoven woolen cloth, hand-dyed in the finest shades of blues, reds, greens, and golds. These colours are woven by my mistress, Fiona. They are beautiful and I feel honoured to be transporting them. I'm strong, and I can pull much weight with a quick, confident trot. Fiona knows it. She strokes my neck with a gentle hand, thanking me in a soft, whispery voice.

The bustling city greets us with an exhilarating rush. The streets are filled with a myriad of sounds – the clanging of metal from the blacksmith, the chatter of people haggling prices, the rumble of carts, the playful yelping of small children, and the calls of hawkers proclaiming their wares.

But most captivating is the symphony of hooves that echoes in the cobbled streets. The smell of fresh manure mingles with the smells of wood smoke, fresh bread, and seawater. You see, Aberdeen is a coastal city, and we horses are an integral part of its heartbeat. We carry goods from the harbour to the market square, and back again. We transport goods from the bustling farmers’ market – baskets overflowing with produce, honey jars, fresh vegetables, juicy fruits, baskets of bright wildflowers, and much, much more. We are an essential cog in the everyday life of this city.

Even though today's load is primarily woven cloth, we encounter other fellow horses on the journey to the marketplace. There are sleek, chestnut thoroughbreds with proud bearing, trained to carry noble knights. There are the stout Clydesdales with their magnificent feathering, their heavy strides sure to carry heavy carts and wagons with ease. Then there are the robust Dales Ponies, with thick coats and sturdy builds, meant to transport children on short journeys and provide companionship on lonely walks across rolling hills.

We encounter a group of sturdy ponies. They have shaggy coats and strong bodies. Their keepers – a family of travelling tinkers – proudly show off their craft. I admire their workmanship. It’s a stark contrast to the crafted elegance of Fiona's handiwork. I think each brings beauty into this world in their own way, and I am grateful to be surrounded by such skilled artisans.

And then there is that wonderful sight of all the farm horses gathered together in the market square, where our own Alistair's wares will soon be displayed. Each horse has their own story, each one brings their own unique value to the market. There is an unspoken sense of solidarity, an acknowledgement of shared experiences, between every horse in the market square, no matter their size, breed, or task.

Today, as I journey through Aberdeen's streets, my mind races back to a time when the relationship between humans and horses was far less developed. Our ancient ancestors, the horses of the steppe lands, were fleet-footed wild beings. It's said that humans tamed the first wild horses as far back as 4000 BC. Our kind travelled with nomadic tribes across vast stretches of land. Imagine, a horse was once a sign of freedom, strength, and speed. This has been lost on some, who view us as mere working beasts.

Then, with the development of agriculture and civilization, horses became much more than simply wild steeds. Imagine a time when all movement, all commerce, was determined by how fast, how far, and how much a horse could haul. What an era! Horses helped build empires, won battles, and spurred empires to greater glory. We were the chariots of ancient pharaohs, the mighty steeds of war, and the noble mounts of brave knights.

As time progressed, we adapted to many roles. We were companions on the farm, strong steeds that could till the fields, strong cart horses like myself that haul loads to markets, and stately steeds who carry those brave men and women in grand events. We are also the faithful companions of those who enjoy a quiet life on the moors and glens of the Scottish Highlands.

Even today, in the 5th century AD, we are in great demand in all parts of Britain. For our work is essential to every aspect of human civilization. In a world where the vast majority of people rely on their own strength and the strength of their beasts of burden, we are still truly indispensable. We are more than mere beasts. We are the companions, the allies, the confidantes of the humans that call on our services.

Later, after Alistair’s stall in the market is full of beautiful fabric and bustling with customers, Poppy and I get a short respite. We find some welcome shade and munch on the juicy, fresh clover we found beside the river. We rest our bodies, but our minds wander. We observe other horses carrying their loads through the markets, listen to the merchants haggling with their customers, watch children chasing each other through the crowd, their happy laughter echoing across the cobblestones.

We share the camaraderie with other horses, a gentle touch, a soft whinny, an exchange of quiet, knowing glances. It’s all a symphony of the day, orchestrated with the same efficiency and quiet understanding.

For horses, our lives aren't just about carrying heavy loads, hauling carts, or galloping through the fields. Our world, too, is about family, love, loyalty, and trust. These bonds extend to all of our kin – whether it is our bond with a loving master or mistress, with our friends, and, especially, with our family. We find joy and strength in each other, and each day, I feel grateful for this special kinship.

Later, as the sun begins its slow descent, Alistair tells Poppy and me we must get ready to journey home. It's the long trek back to Hayfield, but Alistair takes extra care in securing us to the cart, adding extra straw padding to ensure our comfort. He pats us on the flank and whispers kind words in our ears.

We make the journey back home, content with the day's work and thankful for Alistair's care. In the silence of the evening, the faint light of the moon and stars guides our way. The silence of the fields is a symphony in itself, a different kind of music to the bustling market.

Life in this era is a combination of hard work and simple joys, of duty and responsibility, of comfort and contentment. Even if things are changing fast, our way of life still feels rooted, our connection to the earth deep, our bond to the humans we serve strong. I look forward to more days just like today – busy days filled with a shared rhythm of work and rest, of bustling cities and quiet evenings, all infused with the unmistakable magic of the bond between humans and horses.

Until next time,

Emma