History of Horses in the year 0610

Hello, fellow equines and horse enthusiasts! Welcome to my humble little corner of Equiworld.org, where I, Emma, a grey draught horse with a flowing white mane and tail, share my thoughts on horse life and the world around us. Today, we’re taking a journey back in time, to the year 0610. It’s a year of vast change and upheaval in the human world, but for us horses, life carries on much the same.

I'm lucky to live in a beautiful place called Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. It’s a haven for us horses, with lush green meadows and the rolling Scottish hills dotted with ancient forests. I work hard on the farms here, hauling the plows and transporting goods. We are vital to our human neighbours, the source of their food, transportation, and even clothing.

The year 0610 dawns bright and frosty, the air crisp with winter's remnants. We horses, tucked in warm stables, greet the day with snorts of contentment. We munch on fresh hay and barley, the smell of the morning dew and fresh straw filling our nostrils. It’s a peaceful start to what promises to be another busy year.

As the days lengthen, so does our workload. The spring is a time for sowing and we horses pull the ploughs tirelessly, preparing the land for the summer harvests. The scent of rich, fertile soil mingles with the fresh air as we work, and the warm sun paints the hillsides gold. It's hard work, but I love it. We are the lifeblood of the community, and our role fills us with pride.

It's a challenging time for our human neighbours. This year, they're embroiled in a constant fight for survival, warring amongst themselves. A strange new faith, calling itself Christianity, has come from the South. It's causing quite a stir, disrupting the established order. The old Celtic gods are being challenged, and the lands are plagued by conflict and bloodshed.

Yet, here in Hayfield, we horses are spared the chaos. We are their workhorses, their source of food and transportation. We continue with our tasks, ensuring our humans have the sustenance they need. It's in those quieter moments, while we graze in the meadows, that I notice changes in our human companions. Some bear scars of battle, etched on their faces, and their smiles are tinged with sadness. But they always remember to care for us, their trusty horses. They see us as more than mere beasts of burden, and this fills me with a sense of security.

Spring, however, brings more than just hard work. It brings romance! Young horses, full of vigour and youthful spirit, meet in the fields, their coats glistening in the sunlight. Courtship dances, with graceful nods and playful flicks of the tail, bring laughter to our human companions. And oh, the scent of clover and honeysuckle, mingling with the scent of love!

Our young stallion, a beautiful black with a flaxen mane, seems particularly smitten with a new filly. They race playfully across the meadows, their tails flying behind them. He even goes so far as to gather flowers from the wild hedges and offer them to her – a valiant gesture, if you ask me. We all gather around to watch, sharing in the joyous celebration of love.

While life in Hayfield is filled with a steady routine, things change in the summer. The fields are full of wheat and barley, waiting to be gathered. We work diligently, pulling the heavy carts that carry the harvest back to the village. Our hard work, and the efforts of many generations of horses before us, nourish the community, ensure their survival.

Yet, there's a new energy in the air. The human world is slowly waking up to our value beyond mere labour. They see our strength, our loyalty, our courage. They begin to take us on long journeys, for more than just carrying goods.

And so, this summer, I find myself chosen for a special mission. A group of humans, filled with purpose, have embarked on a long journey southward. They've asked us horses to guide them, to navigate the winding paths and ford the rushing rivers. We have an important responsibility - they seek the wisdom of an old priest in the South, a man who has knowledge they desperately need.

The journey is challenging, filled with breathtaking vistas and treacherous trails. We climb mountains where the air grows thin and the wind whistles through the crags. We cross rivers that swirl with a furious strength, each step requiring a steady focus and unwavering determination. The journey is demanding, testing our endurance and resilience.

Yet, our human companions are grateful. They marvel at our strength and agility, they appreciate the unwavering loyalty and steadfast determination that burns in our hearts. We are not just animals to them, but companions, comrades in arms.

It’s during these long hours on the road that I understand our importance to the human world goes far beyond just physical work. We are companions on their journey of learning, exploring new lands and encountering different people. Our bond with them grows stronger every day. We have the privilege of witnessing the world through their eyes, learning about the strange new customs of the different villages we visit along the way. It’s an honour to be part of their exploration.

Our journey continues throughout the summer, leading us through vast plains and sprawling forests, past villages with cultures and traditions entirely alien to our northern life. I witness the diversity of human life, from their bustling market places to the quiet serenity of monasteries. Each day brings a new learning, a new perspective, reminding me of the rich tapestry of human life that we share this world with.

As the sun dips below the horizon, we finally reach the southern region. The journey is tiring, but it is worth every hoofstep, every whispered command from our human guides. They meet the priest, glean the knowledge they seek, and slowly, as autumn arrives, begin their long trek north.

Returning home is always a joy. The familiar smells of hay and straw, the soft, rolling hillsides – a wave of pure relief washes over me. My journey has filled me with a new appreciation for the quiet life we lead in Hayfield, but I now understand the wider role we play. We are more than just workhorses; we are explorers, companions, messengers.

As the nights grow long and the frost creeps back, our human companions are thankful. They share stories of the new lands, new knowledge gained from our long adventure. We horses, we know the quiet strength we offer, the endurance we share, is the thread that connects our humans to the world, to the wisdom that lies beyond their everyday lives.

Winter sets in. The ground freezes solid, the rivers turn to ice, and our work becomes a different kind of hardship. We move snow, help transport goods to isolated farms and villages, making sure no one is left out in the cold. We learn to navigate the slick, icy paths with care and caution, reminding us that this world, though familiar, can always bring a new challenge.

We have moments of warmth and relaxation, spending nights by the fire, sharing stories with the other horses in the stable. They, too, have stories to share, of their journeys, their encounters with different peoples and places. Our stables become a hub of horse gossip and whispers of journeys, forging a connection between all of us that transcends geographical borders.

As I snuggle into my hay bed for the night, the sounds of the farm all around, a contented warmth fills my heart. The year 0610 has brought me new adventures and experiences that have changed me forever. My life as a draught horse in Hayfield may seem simple, yet its core holds a beautiful truth: We are so much more than mere beasts of burden. We are partners, explorers, companions, sharing this journey called life with our human companions, every day bringing new surprises and adventures.

I can't wait to see what the new year brings, to feel the sun warm my coat again, and to share more stories with all of you on Equiworld.org. Until then, stay strong, stay brave, and may your hooves always find the path to happiness!