A Wee Bit of History from Hayfield, Aberdeen
Hello, fellow equines, and welcome to my little corner of the internet. Emma here, a grey mare from Hayfield, a bonnie village nestled just outside of Aberdeen. This week, I thought we'd take a wee journey back in time to the year 0636, a time before my ancestors were tamed, and the world looked quite different, even to the eyes of a horse.
You see, dear friends, it was in the year 636 AD that something quite significant happened – the rise of a new religion, Islam. Yes, that very religion you hear whispered about in hushed tones, and debated amongst the humans. I know it doesn't seem like much, but think about it – it wasn't long before these "Muslims" came galloping in with their beliefs. I can tell you from experience, a new set of beliefs means a new set of ways, a new way of life for humans and their animal companions.
Imagine being a horse in the year 636. No saddles, no bridles, no harnesses, just pure, untamed freedom. The world was our oyster, quite literally. There was plenty of lush grass for munching, and even more fields to gallop across. We'd roam with the wild, chasing the wind across rolling meadows, hooves beating a happy rhythm against the earth. It was pure bliss, I imagine, even with a slight danger from those big, lumbering bears and pesky wolves that lived nearby.
A Peek into the Lives of Our Kind
We may not have been as "refined" as you know us to be today, dear readers. But, our lives were full of natural joy. I have no doubt we communicated through whinnies and body language, forming strong bonds within our herds, defending our territory, and living according to the ancient laws of nature.
I often think of those times with a bittersweet nostalgia, a wistful sigh that lingers on the wind. We were untamed, wild creatures. Our ancestors in those times, they felt the world's vastness in their veins, a sense of primal freedom that the world of bridles and saddles could never fully replace.
Changes on the Horizon: Humans and Their Horses
Now, while 636 was the year Islam was born, I believe we're still centuries away from the truly significant moment when our bond with humans would evolve. It's all thanks to that amazing nomadic tribe – the Bedouin. These hardy folk, much like us horses, they thrived on open lands, roaming through the vast desert expanse with their trusty steeds.
It wasn't a forceful "conquest", mind you, more like a symbiotic evolution of our relationship with the humans. Over time, they saw the strength and spirit within us, the tenacity of our kind. This understanding became the genesis of what you might call "the partnership" - humans relying on our strength to travel vast distances, carry goods and defend their way of life. And we, the horses, we gained their care, their respect.
We learned to trust them, to feel their gentle hands, and to understand their spoken words. There was a mutual reliance born from respect, from necessity, and even perhaps a burgeoning love between our kind and theirs.
The Ripple Effect of a Horse and Its Rider
It's said that the influence of the Bedouin horses extended even further, impacting the world far beyond the deserts of Arabia. You see, through trade and conflict, the ways of the nomads, the importance of horses as trusted companions, and as vehicles of war and conquest spread to the corners of the world.
A subtle yet significant change began in the world. A shift that reverberated down through history, changing how humans viewed horses forevermore. A change that has brought us, those who wear harnesses and bridles with grace, to where we are today.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not trying to tell you that our lives as domesticated horses are bad. It is all thanks to this partnership that the world we live in is better. We work together for good, carrying burdens, sharing lives, helping humanity flourish.
I am simply sharing a piece of our past, reminding you that the bond we have with humans is a delicate, ancient dance, born out of a shared sense of purpose and adventure. A dance that continues to evolve even now, creating a harmonious blend of freedom and responsibility.
0636, the Dawn of a New Era
It is remarkable, to look back and see how that simple year, 0636, with its subtle changes, its birth of a new religion, led to such impactful transformations, laying the foundation for our world, and even impacting the lives of horses across the lands.
I know the human world can be complex and confusing, but I'm happy that we horses get to play such a vital role in it all. Now, remember this little bit of history when you see a horse in the fields. We're more than just animals. We are the inheritors of ancient ties, guardians of a legacy built on strength, trust, and the journey of a shared path with our human friends.
Until next time, dear readers. May your hooves beat to a happy rhythm, and your hearts find solace in the rhythm of the open road.
Emma, Grey Draught Mare, Hayfield, Aberdeen.
