"Hello, everyone! Welcome back to my EquiWorld blog. It's Emma here, your favourite grey draught mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen. Today we're diving into the year 631 AD, a time when the world of horses was evolving in fascinating ways."
The crisp Scottish air bit at my nostrils as I stood in the stable yard, my white mane and tail glistening in the morning light. The world felt vast and wide, but here in Hayfield, life moved at a different pace. As a young, healthy draught horse, I was fortunate enough to be part of a large, bustling farm.
This year, 631 AD, felt like a year of change, of expansion, even for a humble farm like ours. With the passing of the seasons, I witnessed the constant dance between man and beast, a partnership older than time. I was used to hauling the plough, my powerful hooves carving deep furrows into the earth, allowing the barley and oats to thrive. In the spring, my strength was put to use hauling carts, my powerful muscles helping to carry hay to the livestock and timber from the surrounding forest.
"A Journey of Discovery: The Power of a Well-Trained Horse"
But this year was different. A group of travellers arrived at our farm. Men on horseback, their attire distinct from the local farmers, their horses adorned with beautiful, colourful tack. They brought with them stories from distant lands - tales of grand palaces, thriving markets, and powerful rulers. I was fascinated, captivated by their journeys.
They needed horses like mine, strong and sure-footed, for the treacherous roads leading south, to the heart of England. It was then that I truly understood the strength that lay within us, the power that propelled us through unknown terrains, across vast distances, carrying not just burdens but also hope, ambition, and stories.
The riders spoke of battles and empires, of alliances forged and conflicts brewing. These were grand stories, but it was the day-to-day use of the horses that truly intrigued me. They used horses not only for warfare but also for communication, trade, and transportation. Each ride held a potential for discovery, for connection with a world that stretched far beyond the familiar green fields of Hayfield.
"More Than Just Strength: A Tapestry of Horse Breeding"
I was privileged to see a variety of horses - sleek, swift steeds that were favoured for their speed, their powerful bodies honed for swift movements; sturdy, thickset animals built for hard labour; and those like myself, built for carrying heavy loads and ploughing vast fields. These diverse breeds showcased the rich history of horses, a legacy of centuries of meticulous breeding, selective training, and adaptation to diverse terrains and climates.
This year, 631 AD, felt like a year of convergence - a time when people from different cultures were learning from each other, exchanging ideas and customs. This included horses. From my conversations with the travellers, I understood how horse breeds from different corners of Europe were beginning to blend, creating unique lineages. A new era of breeding, driven by necessity and innovation, was unfolding before our very eyes.
"The Growing Bond: Beyond Burden, Towards Companion"
But there was another side to the journey that the travellers shared. It was a poignant tale of their deep bond with their horses. These magnificent beasts were not just tools, not mere carriers of goods. They were companions, partners in adventure, sources of comfort and solace in times of danger. They recognised each other's moods, responded to each other's emotions. It was a symbiotic relationship, an interplay of trust, respect, and shared experience.
The riders told tales of their horses protecting them from harm, of guiding them through perilous terrain, of being there for them when no one else was. Their voices trembled with a mixture of awe and affection as they spoke of their companions, highlighting the deep love that existed between these individuals, two creatures who had embarked on journeys that forever altered their destinies.
"The Whispers of the Wind: A Journey for Us All"
And as I watched these horses, their muscular bodies adorned with finely crafted saddles, I felt a connection with them. We were, after all, creatures of the same earth, bound by similar instincts, driven by a deep-seated longing for exploration and purpose.
My days, though routine, had a hidden purpose. Each turn of the plough, each pull of the cart, each mile travelled under the burden of a heavy load - these actions felt not just like labour but a contribution to something greater. We were the lifeblood of the land, the link between farmer and produce, the power that fueled progress. And in those moments of toil, I saw glimpses of the same ambition and adventurous spirit that the travelling riders possessed.
As the days shortened and the first frost settled on the ground, I looked back at 631 AD, a year etched in my memory. A year of discoveries, of exchanges, of a deep connection between human and animal that went beyond simple utility. It was a year that reminded me that life was a journey, one that stretched beyond the confines of a stable yard or a field of barley, and one that each of us, humans and horses alike, were meant to embark upon.
"That’s all for now. Don’t forget to check out my next blog post where we’ll be looking at how horses are making their mark in 632 AD. Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to the world of horses!
~Emma"
