Hello, lovely readers! Emma here, your friendly grey draught horse, back with another blog post for EquiWorld. Today we're going to delve back in time, way back to the year 665 A.D, or to be precise, the year 665 after the birth of Jesus. That's over thirteen hundred years ago!
Now, some of you may be thinking, “Emma, why on earth are you talking about the past? Isn't that a bit boring? What’s so interesting about ancient horse history?"
Well, let me tell you, even though we're separated by centuries, horses back then had a life as rich and varied as our lives today! And just as you all enjoy learning about your ancestors and seeing how times have changed, I find it fascinating to uncover what life was like for my equine forebears.
So, come along on this journey with me and let's see what life in the year 665 was all about for a horse like myself!
The air was crisp and clean this morning as I munched on the meadow grasses. It was an unusually warm day for mid-May here in Hayfield near Aberdeen, in Scotland, the dew glistening like a thousand diamonds. The sun had just started to peek over the horizon, painting the sky with beautiful shades of pink and orange. My beautiful white mane and tail swished gently in the light breeze, almost as if they were trying to capture every ray of the dawn.
Just like many of you lovely horses out there, I am a working horse, a draught horse to be precise. My life is spent in service to mankind, though don’t misunderstand me, I wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, I enjoy my tasks tremendously. Each day brings new challenges and rewards.
And you know what? I even have a special relationship with my human, my best friend and fellow traveller, William. William, you see, is a kind man, young like myself at just 20 years of age, and very much in love with horses. He knows the difference between a good carrot and a grumpy neigh and understands exactly when I need a break and when I'm feeling particularly ambitious. He gives me gentle rubs and whispers soothing words, sometimes even singing a quiet melody that makes me feel warm all over.
Anyway, I’ll stop gushing about William, but I truly appreciate him!
We are both, well William and I, that is, from a small, humble village, and most of our work revolves around farming. It's the essence of our lives here in the countryside, the heart and soul of this place. Our mornings begin with William making sure the chickens are fed, the sheep are accounted for and the farm’s few pigs have clean bedding. Once we’ve fed the animals, he gathers up his tools, and then, that’s where I come in!
We are part of a small team here in the village of Hayfield, working alongside a team of six other horses – two Clydesdales, a powerful pair of Percherons, and two sturdy little Shetland ponies. They're all fantastic horses with their own individual personalities. We look after the fields together, hauling the ploughs and preparing the land for the new harvest. We’re essential to the villagers as the majority rely on the fruits of their land, from wheat and barley to vegetables and fruits, all destined for the bustling markets.
Today, though, our work involves transportation. It’s a good day! As opposed to dragging a heavy plough, today is about travelling, with my favourite, long stretches across the fields. My long legs can stretch out and I enjoy a fast trot as we head out into the wide-open space beyond our village. The sky above stretches as far as the eye can see and today, there’s an enormous amount of birds chirping around me as I go about my day’s duties.
For the past two hours, William has had me harnessed to our cart, a well-worn, sturdy wagon crafted by a local craftsman and passed down through generations in our village. It's an essential piece of equipment, the cornerstone of our daily tasks and this is why the villagers look after their horses. They truly understand we’re crucial members of their community and deserve our rest.
And our task for today is transport to the local market, a bustling place about two hours away in the direction of Aberdeen, a coastal town buzzing with all manner of people. It's where our crops and animals are bought and sold. Today is market day and this is when William takes his crops to sell and returns with food supplies for his family and animals, including delicious apples for me!
As William and I reach the bustling marketplace, I feel a surge of excitement coursing through me. The market is a scene of pure chaos, yet strangely, all very ordered at the same time. The ground is covered in a tapestry of vibrant stalls filled with goods from every corner of the countryside: freshly-baked loaves of bread, woven baskets, leather goods, fine fabrics, tools, salt from the sea, and so much more!
My keen eyes scan the crowd and I see many other horses hard at work. They're carting goods to and fro, and helping unload merchandise from the larger transport animals that journeyed long distances from across the country. The market buzzes with energy and I enjoy feeling the camaraderie between my horse brothers and sisters.
I recognize a couple of these horses, but most are unfamiliar to me. The excitement fills the air with the sounds of bustling merchants, bargaining for the best price and happy shoppers grabbing what they need from the marketplace.
This, my lovely readers, is our history. This was the life of horses back in the year 665! We were vital members of communities. The majority of our time was spent doing farm work. While we enjoyed a good long trek now and then, our daily lives centred on hard graft! I was born for this kind of work. We were used for transportation, for farming and as loyal companions and this is what my forefathers were created for.
The market hums around me. The villagers who are here for the day and their livestock are all vying for attention. And here’s something I thought you would find interesting! A beautiful, jet-black stallion, with a thick glossy mane and powerful limbs, arrives in a spectacular cart with the local nobleman. The carriage is magnificent and is pulled by the handsome, striking stallion and two very grand grey mares. It’s amazing how strong the black stallion is, and I wonder whether he is a Thoroughbred or something much more rare. I look at him and realise I’ve seen his breed before, at a royal feast held for King Oswiu in York last year, a special event attended by noble families. I did say that I travel from time to time!
Anyway, to get back to the local market in Hayfield. Our market day is special, and although this year is a good year for crops in Scotland, in contrast to what has been reported elsewhere in Britain, today’s main attraction is a particularly impressive chestnut mare with a fine, dappled coat, she’s a stunner! She’s arrived with the local horse breeder, who’s boasting that she’s a prize-winning mare and hopes to secure the highest possible bid! And of course, the villagers have other tasks to perform at the marketplace too. We have local people coming to trade their wares and also the artisans of this village have many offerings to be admired!
When our work at the market is complete, William and I take a well-deserved rest beneath a spreading oak tree at the edge of the marketplace. This gives me a chance to munch on the succulent apples William brings for me. Oh how much I enjoy my special treats! And I love the shade of the tree! I watch the children running about, so much energy, and the farmers bargaining over the price of a prize bull or a prized lamb, I find it amusing how animated their conversations get!
Once we’ve taken our rest, it's time for the journey back to Hayfield, with the cart full of essentials. William and I have travelled this path many times so it’s comfortable and routine for both of us. As we head home, William speaks of the news from the market and I listen intently. I hear about the harsh winter ahead. There’s talk of heavy rain, freezing winds and, apparently, a shortage of hay for animals. However, it’s clear that a good price has been received for our wheat and barley, enough for our families to be prepared for the harsh times to come. We return to the village as dusk settles upon us and I enjoy feeling the quietness around us as we return to the farm.
I see, William is deep in conversation with the village elder, and although I can’t quite hear what’s being said, I understand the seriousness of his demeanor. His conversation appears very urgent, and he gestures widely towards the fields with an expressive hand and points in a certain direction. And now that the light is fading, I can barely hear his tone, but his gestures indicate trouble, real trouble and a crisis about to unfold. It’s strange how horses like us can pick up these subtle nuances, almost as if I’m reading the mind of my best friend! I know what’s coming and I sense danger lurking close.
As we reach the edge of our village, I suddenly understand the reason for William's tense mood. Just as we come into the farmyard, we are met with an array of horses, some very well-nourished, some in rougher conditions. There are about 20 of them. Many of these animals look like they haven’t been properly fed for some time.
I see some of these animals are shaking with exhaustion, they’re exhausted, their coats dusty, matted and dusty. A handful of the animals appear in an awful state with torn or mangled saddles, others with cuts and lacerations from their heavy work. This makes my heart pound, and the atmosphere changes immediately. All of us on the farmyard seem to feel the fear and worry. My gut is telling me, the local farmer’s fear and his worried facial expressions.
“My horses are at their limits, Emma, “ says William. He walks towards me, eyes wide and face drawn with worry.
I’ve always felt secure, a member of a closely-knit group and a village that always pulls together when things get tough. There’s always plenty of food and a kind hand available, for all horses in this village. But now, everything has changed and, well I know things aren’t as they used to be.
“There are bandits heading our way," William explains, his tone grave and sombre. "It seems there’s a great uprising of rebellion, against the Northumbrian Kingdom! This may all come as a great shock to many, as King Oswiu of Northumbria appears to be doing a good job for our country and providing strong and peaceful rule. There have been problems for several years. It's a sad truth to witness as all around the country, there’s an increasing number of battles. All those involved will suffer. This is awful.”
I understand how upsetting it all is. However, what I do not understand is why they are heading this way, how we’ll manage to survive this attack, and how all this rebellion has descended on our peaceful village. How will we all manage with this sudden influx of horses, let alone with the impending attacks? William tells me not to worry and to keep a careful watch, for safety’s sake.
Then he leaves for a while to consult with the local elders, who are huddled around a map on the ground. I see William explaining the situation and there's clear worry etched on everyone's faces, especially those of my other equine companions, the beautiful Shetland ponies, and the majestic Clydesdales. It's going to be a long and hard winter, filled with uncertainty, but it is the fate of all our destinies that hang in the balance and something needs to be done.
As night settles over us, and a gentle breeze whips through the stable door, it’s almost impossible for me to get to sleep! However, all too soon, the first rays of dawn penetrate through the small window of the stable and I realize there's a lot to do! There’s an urgent need to start foraging for food. William is going to start his preparations, a battle cry that is going to send shockwaves through our countryside.
But before we can think of survival and what that might entail, the enemy is at our doorstep. Our small community faces its greatest challenge!
It seems that the King, together with his powerful force, is gathering all the local horses that they can muster to fight off the rebels. My heart sinks at the thought of bloodshed. I understand the fight that may be looming. I sense the looming threat. I know these horses may soon be forced into battle. And my future is unclear.
There is so much about the future that we horses do not know. It’s all beyond our understanding. How will this war end? How will our country fare? Where do my true loyalties lie?
The question that truly plagues me, the thing that has kept me up at night, my most pressing concern. It’s a query that has gnawed away at me, the thought of horses like us being forced into battle and asked to inflict damage upon another. I simply don’t know if I can take part.
The stories of history always provide us with vital lessons for today, especially about the dangers of violence and destruction and the impact these conflicts have on innocent lives, and their impact on animals.
What’s most striking is that throughout the centuries, despite war and division, people have continued to work alongside animals, such as horses, as loyal companions, working side-by-side and relying upon one another for support. The true essence of this companionship has always been the common thread woven throughout time. This bond between mankind and animals such as us horses has remained resilient and strong despite all adversity!
Let's reflect on our own history as we celebrate all the work and dedication of all those equine pioneers from times gone by.
Emma xxx
