Good morning, fellow equines! Emma here, your trusty blogger from the rolling hills of Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. I know it’s been a while, life here has been rather busy with the coming and going of seasons and the endless needs of my human companions, but that's the life of a draught horse, right? Anyway, today, I thought we'd take a trip back in time, to the year 608 AD - quite a journey for a horse who lives mostly on the daily grind!
As you might know, the year 608 AD is when the story of "The Life of St. Columba" was written, and in that story, there's a tale of horses playing a crucial role in battle. It's the kind of history that makes a girl like me, well, a bit proud to be a part of the equine world!
Now, imagine, if you will, being a young colt or filly, like myself, back then. Life was much simpler, with fewer fancy things like metal shoes or fancy harnesses. We relied on our natural strength and stamina, but then, didn't we already? There were fewer riders too, but our strength was in hauling, plowing the fields, and of course, providing transport – an important part of the economy back in those days. We were also valuable sources of food – milk, meat, and even blood was used for medicinal purposes, which wasn’t always a pleasant thought, but it was just part of life back then.
In 608 AD, Britain was in the midst of a major shift. Anglo-Saxons ruled much of England and Wales, and things were steadily changing. But further north, here in Scotland, our land was mostly home to Picts and Gaelic communities. The horse played a pivotal role in these early societies, with many people depending on us for transportation, agriculture, and of course, the thrilling world of battle.
Speaking of battle, you see, back in 608 AD, battles were mostly fought by infantry, and as strong as we are, you don’t want a horse right in the thick of a melee – too dangerous for everyone, really. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t have a vital role. We were instrumental in transporting warriors and supplies to the front, and as swift and powerful creatures, we helped charge the battlefield and give a terrifying roar – those wild gallops could often decide the fate of a fight!
Imagine, young colts and fillies being trained for the fight – you'd be encouraged to gallop at top speed, your breath ragged and heart pounding as you were trained for these events! Sometimes you would be laden with armour and gear, tested with weighted carriages. That might seem intimidating, but being chosen to be part of this world was a symbol of strength and resilience. Even our smaller ponies were seen as powerful, being used as battle-ponies to carry riders across rough terrain. Horses, we were indeed a vital part of early warfare, even if you could never forget it was a dangerous business!
Yet, life was about more than just battle! Horses were used for more everyday tasks too. We played a big role in agriculture, helping to plow the fields and pull the cart that brought harvests back from the fields. We also helped in construction and moving supplies for the creation of houses and communities – building the world around us.
Back in 608 AD, people were mostly reliant on horses to carry trade goods across land, much more than sea travel – for example, think of carrying supplies, especially food! It took skill to navigate the roads and travel for miles. My hooves and sturdy legs must have been invaluable for our riders. Our ancestors truly made the world go round – how can we forget that?!
But of course, it wasn’t all work and warfare – that was then and not so much how we live today! Horses have always been companions. For a person working in the fields, they would be our company. I always find that it's these small, human interactions that really highlight the deep connection we share with them. Our existence, though maybe a bit less adventurous than our forefathers, has always been interwoven with human life, even to this day. I think that’s something to be thankful for!
Speaking of our forefathers, another significant occurrence in the horse world around the time of 608 AD was the migration of some of our wild ancestors across Eurasia. From central Asia, we spread towards the east and west, impacting horse-culture throughout history. It’s interesting to see how our genes still connect us through continents and time, isn’t it?
But before we get too deep into history, I'd love to hear what YOU think about horses in 608 AD. Did any of you find the connection between humans and horses during this time fascinating? I'd love to hear about any horse-related things you find intriguing from this period. Tell me your thoughts, maybe leave a comment and maybe we can compare stories, about our lives in 2023 and what it must have been like back in 608.
And with that, I'm off for a nap! Remember, good things happen in the hayfields and at EquiWorld!
See you in our next post,
Emma
Hayfield, Scotland
www.equiworld.org
