History of Horses in the year 0511

Neigh-hello everyone!

Emma here, your friendly grey draught horse with a flair for the historical, ready to gallop through time with you! As many of you know, I’m from Hayfield, just outside beautiful Aberdeen, Scotland. And, oh boy, it’s 511 AD here and things are getting interesting, just like my last post!

This month on EquiWorld, we're delving into the year 511, a year packed with change and growth, both for humanity and the horse world! Today we’re diving into all the horsey goings-on and I’ll tell you all about it.

Across the continent, the winds of change are whistling through the meadows and mountains. In the east, the Byzantine Empire, the heir to the ancient Romans, is holding firm against invading waves. In Gaul, Clovis, the Frankish king, has unified the tribes, bringing a new era of peace, for now. Over in Ireland, their warrior monks, armed with swords and horses, are shaping their own history and their unique brand of Christianity.

I wouldn’t dare comment on human affairs (I know, I know - a horse with an opinion, unheard of!). However, what these human shifts mean for our equine world is profound. More trade routes mean more horses moving from region to region. More warfare (hopefully not too much) means more steeds being needed by warriors.

The need for fast, reliable horses is growing across the lands. In the fertile valleys of Ireland, the Celts love a swift, athletic type of horse for their racing. Meanwhile, in the mountains of northern England, horses need to be robust and hardy, pulling plows and hauling carts on rough terrain. And all over the Roman-influenced world, a bigger, sturdier breed is growing in popularity, bred for heavy hauling and war.

These are the forces shaping the horsey world, and as I listen to the wind rustle the oats in my mane, I feel the energy of a new era unfolding. It’s an era that demands versatility, strength, and grace from our equine brethren.

The village life in Hayfield continues its rhythmic cycle of work, rest, and play. Most of my time is spent in the fields, pulling the plow alongside my stablemates, Toby, a mighty brown stallion, and Bonnie, a feisty little chestnut mare. We’re the muscle that keeps the land fertile, the reason why humans are so full of praise when we’ve done a good job.

This time of year, we also enjoy carrying heavy baskets of wheat and barley from the field to the threshing floor. This hard work brings me the biggest rewards: juicy grass at the end of the day, warm blankets at night, and those reassuring pats on the neck from young Angus, the farmer’s son.

The young lad is still learning the ropes of working with horses. He’s kind but clumsy. Sometimes he gives me the odd, rough pat and pulls too hard on my harness. But, as you well know, all good horsemanship comes from practice!

Life isn’t all hard work though, not by a long shot. I spend my lazy hours with the other horses at the watering hole, listening to the river babbling and nibbling at the soft, juicy clover. Sometimes I get to relax in the dappled shade of the elder tree, watching the birds chirping in the trees above me, and dreaming of running wild across the endless grasslands!

This peaceful existence wouldn't be possible without the human's skill in training horses. You might be wondering, what did horses and humans do before those days when man learned to communicate with his equine friend? They were wild and unruly! Not in the good sense, the kind of unruly that lets loose the wolf inside every now and then!

This is why we owe a debt of gratitude to our ancestors. It was a long and arduous road, a path full of struggles and successes.

It’s fascinating to see the ancient cave paintings and drawings where humans depicted the horse with a kind of reverence, a deep respect. Those early riders and charioteers were braver than I could ever imagine, living with animals so large, powerful and unpredictable!

These magnificent steeds would have helped the humans conquer the world. With a speed unmatched, these horses would have been used as swift messengers for information. With a strength that made the earth tremble, they would have been the only means of transport across mountains and plains. Just like us now, horses in the year 511 are still vital.

I have it easy these days. I may miss the wild days, the free gallop over fields of endless green. But with the comfort and familiarity I find in these routine days, I couldn't ask for more.

And who knows? Perhaps next month's post will detail a wonderful adventure! Perhaps we’ll see what stories the travelers can share as they arrive at the village from far off lands. Perhaps I’ll even make it to the local market with the farm carts and get to smell all those lovely scents!

But one thing is sure, my friends, even in a world full of change, horses will always play an important part in the tapestry of life.

Until next time, stay neigh-sational and keep your hooves up!

Love, Emma

www.equiworld.org

### Some fun facts:

• In 511 AD, horses were more than just animals for transport - they were seen as gods!
  • For example: The goddess Epona was the Roman goddess of horses, riders and the equestrian arts.

• The horse breed, the "Morgan Horse", which has become the state horse of Vermont, is believed to have descended from horses used in England in the fifth and sixth centuries.

  Have you ever wondered about the lives of horses throughout history? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments section below! I love to hear from you!