History of Horses in the year 0564

Neigh-sayers may argue about the accuracy of my "Year Zero" calculations, but here in Hayfield, we all know 0564 marks the start of something important - the year my marehood officially began! Well, if you discount my foaling year, of course, which really doesn’t count! I mean, come on, it’s pretty much all about nursing and naps, right?

Anyways, it feels like a lifetime ago – I’ve been busy this past year, what with growing, learning the ropes from my Mama, and getting a proper handle on this whole being-a-horse thing. This blog feels like a good place to share my reflections, especially as 0564 has been a rather remarkable year for my kind - the horses, that is. And of course, no blog from a 20-year-old horse in 0564 would be complete without some good ol’ gossip about the equine world!

Let’s be honest, most of our days in Hayfield are spent munching, napping, and watching the sun go down. It’s peaceful here, which makes life quite agreeable. Of course, we do the whole "work for our supper" routine as well. Our masters – they're rather kind and decent souls, even though their clothes seem to always have this faint whiff of smoke, a hint of that exciting new "metallurgical era" I’ve heard so much about.

Anyways, these good folk mostly use us for plowing and carting hay, a vital part of our village life here. Some horses get lucky and get picked for transporting supplies or messengers, making their way beyond our little Hayfield to places like Aberdeen. They have the best stories to tell when they return!

Now, this year, 0564, there have been whispers around Hayfield about the magnificent stables of the Emperor of the Byzantines. We all know the emperor loves horses - even my cousin Maggie, who works as a packhorse for one of the travelling merchants, has told tales about the fine Arabian horses the Emperor collects. Fancy creatures, by all accounts. Maggie, though, insists she prefers the company of sturdy Scottish horses like herself, thank you very much. But I do understand the Emperor’s fascination with those fancy, elegant horses – they are quite captivating!

Speaking of fascinating, I heard tell of this new "horse mill" the Emperor commissioned – some contraption with cogs and gears powered by us horses, grinding away at grain! It’s an exciting development – think of the delicious porridge we could make! Imagine, instead of having to wait for those humans to grind the oats, we could literally churn out bowls of porridge in record time! It seems, however, this “horse mill” thing hasn't spread beyond the imperial palaces, yet. I suspect the humans need to work on some details, maybe they haven't found a way to make sure the horses don't turn into porridge themselves in the process, lol.

But beyond the stories, 0564 saw many horsefolk busy as ever - pulling carts, guarding fields, even helping in the construction of those new “stone castles” – I hear they’re very fashionable amongst those nobles these days. The humans even started to use these "metal" stirrups, that I'm told make riding easier and give those who are astride us a bit more security, which can only be a good thing, as we horses understand how unstable those humans can be!

## A Future for Horses

My mother, she always talks about the times of old – the days when we, the horses, ruled the land. Not literally, of course! (Imagine a horse wearing a crown! Though wouldn't that be something…) but she talks of our use in battles, and how, back in those days, it was horses like us who were instrumental to everything - moving things, conquering places, and basically being the engines of that "Iron Age."

Today, the humans speak of “steel” as if it will change the world! Who knows how it will affect our lives? Maybe we’ll become obsolete one day! They tell me those "metal horses" can now pull much more, moving goods across lands at faster speeds than ever before, though they look clunky, I think. But they’ll need good, strong, stable horses to provide all that "iron" and fuel, no? Perhaps in the future, we’ll have a role to play even as "steel horses" gain popularity. After all, horses can do what steel horses can’t – like gallop across rolling meadows, swim across rivers, and nuzzle our foals! Who knows what the future holds, but for now, here in Hayfield, life is pretty darn good for this young mare!

So until next time, dear readers! And let me know what you’ve heard in the world of horses – are there any “horse-tastic” tales you'd like to share with fellow equine lovers?

*Happy neigh-ing, *

*Emma, a grey mare in Hayfield, Scotland *