History of Horses in the year 0666

Greetings, dear fellow equines! Emma here, your humble narrator from Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. I’m just 20 years old, still feeling quite the sprightly mare despite carrying a bit more weight on my frame these days (a bit of a full figure, you see - nothing wrong with a bit of a rounded silhouette, it adds character!).

Today, I wanted to take a stroll down memory lane – or should I say, down the lane where the barley grows? - and discuss the exciting developments in our equine world all the way back in the year 666. Can you imagine? Over thirteen hundred years ago! The world has changed so much, but horses have always been at the heart of it.

Now, I won’t be boring you with facts and figures - that's not my style. I'm going to be sharing it through the lens of a mare's life, the way things looked, the smells, the feelings... everything I could take in and comprehend in my 20-year-old mare brain. So, saddle up, dear readers, and let’s journey back in time.

Sunrise painted the Highlands in shades of rose and gold. As always, it meant an invigorating snort of crisp, cool air, and a nudge from my fellow stablemates. The aroma of fresh oats drifted in from the barn - heaven! Our trusty groom, Lachlan, a sturdy fellow with hands as gentle as his heart, would soon be filling our mangers.

The work would begin soon after. As a draught horse, my days revolved around the farm. Strong, powerful horses like myself were in high demand. We were vital for plowing fields, hauling supplies, and transporting people. You might call us "the heavy lifting team" of the day. But I loved my job. The feeling of the earth turning under my hooves, the sense of accomplishment, the warmth of the sun on my back... nothing quite compared.

After our morning toil, Lachlan would give us a good rubdown, brushing out the winter coats. I’d be a picture of Highland horse beauty: grey coat with a flash of white along my mane and tail, standing proud and strong.

One special perk of working on the farm - freshly-mown hay! There's something utterly divine about munching on that sweet, fragrant scent of summertime.

Sometimes, work took us beyond the familiar fields. One particularly memorable afternoon, Lachlan harnessed me to a cart laden with barrels of ale for the annual village festival. It was quite the spectacle, the people, the music, the aroma of roasted meat! And, the occasional sip of ale myself, naturally. I do love a good festival.

Now, let me tell you about the horses themselves! The great thing about the Highlands is that you have this stunning mix of breeds, each with its own beauty and character. We had the hardy Clydesdales, with their proud, feathered legs, always eager for a good tug and a playful neigh. The sturdy Shires were a sight to behold too - all those strong, elegant frames. And, we also had a few Welsh ponies, small and fiery but so clever! We worked alongside each other, each bringing our unique skills and strength to the table.

We're a diverse group in Hayfield! Each of us has our stories to tell, just like our human companions. In the bustling world of 666, our lives intertwined - their families and ours. It was all about interdependence, understanding, and a deep respect for each other.

Life wasn't all plowing and hauling, of course. In this year of 666, you see, horses played a vital role beyond the farm.

From carrying mail, messengers racing through forests on their backs, to the vital support they gave to knights and warriors - horses were woven into the very fabric of human life! The power, the spirit, the love... We, as horses, were a symbol of courage and freedom.

And, did you know? Even back in those days, there were racing events. Horses with amazing speed, agility, and stamina were used to race for sport. You can just imagine the energy of that!

You could feel the thrill, the excitement in the air. But this era was a little different, right? Horseback riding was about far more than just leisure and sport. Horses played a central role in military campaigns, too!

They were the vital "engines" of the Roman armies, and the strong, proud, and swift horses were crucial to the battles for dominion across Europe.

While we were pulling carts of ale in our village festival, there were mighty knights with lances raised and their strong horses carrying them into battle on fields across Europe. We are not merely beasts of burden, we horses, were part of a larger story, a grand, intricate history woven with our courage, our strength, and our devotion.

From our little Hayfield to the larger world - we horses have always played a significant role. I have to say, my mare-heart swells with pride every time I look back on how vital we've been to our world.

Here in 666 A.D., there is so much still to learn and grow, just as with any journey. In time, things will evolve; people will find new uses for us, new ways of connecting with us, new ways of celebrating our strengths and beauty.

Yet, we will always remain the heart of the adventure, the heart of life itself, in this land we love so dearly.

As for myself, I look forward to the journey ahead, to working alongside the wonderful Lachlan, to watching our young foal, Poppy, grow, and to witnessing the future unfolding alongside my beloved fellow equines, in this journey we share together, throughout time.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, dear friends! Until next time, may your oats be sweet, your hoofs strong, and your journeys filled with adventure.

Emma - Hayfield, Scotland