History of Horses in the year 0677

Hayfield, Near Aberdeen, Scotland

By Emma, the Grey Draught Mare

Hello, dear readers! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood draught horse from Hayfield, back with another journey through time! Today, we're going to delve into the world of horses in the year 0677 - quite a long time ago, I must admit!

As a grey mare myself, I've always been fascinated by the history of our noble kind. It feels wonderful to connect with horses from across the centuries and imagine the lives they led, the landscapes they traversed, and the tasks they performed.

Now, the year 0677 AD, also known as the year 677 in the modern world, is an interesting time period in history. We are firmly in the early medieval era. A lot of what happened in this period was very much shaped by the great Roman Empire that had only fallen about three centuries prior. The echoes of their incredible engineering feats - like paved roads and large public spaces - still remained, and many places continued to draw upon Roman techniques, especially in their building methods.

In Britain, which is where I hail from, things were undergoing some serious shifts. We had experienced an Anglo-Saxon period of significant political and cultural change, but we were also still feeling the ripples of the Roman influence. It was a dynamic time with a fascinating interplay between traditions.

Let's take a moment to rewind a little and discuss life for horses like me back then. We had our own rhythm and routine, driven largely by the needs of humans. I was lucky enough to be part of a farming community, which meant I was a valuable asset. Our strength was essential for the day-to-day activities that kept everything moving. We ploughed fields, carrying heavy yokes to help farmers till the land for planting crops. We transported goods to and from the market, pulled carts full of wood, and helped bring in the harvest, a time that was always exciting with the scent of fresh hay filling the air!

The fields around Hayfield are often filled with barley and wheat, along with other grains that nourish us humans and livestock. The rich earth and abundant fields are a boon to all of us, and I feel deeply grateful for this connection to the land.

We had our own social circles amongst us horses, too. It’s lovely to work alongside a friendly group. In the evenings, we would graze together in the pastures, a beautiful symphony of munching sounds with the sun slowly setting. You'd think it was simply eating, but those times were important to our mental well-being! The companionship, the soft breeze on my coat, and the taste of fresh grass make those moments feel quite blissful.

Now, although my life as a draught horse might seem straightforward, we were more than just working animals. We played a key role in every aspect of community life. Humans needed our strength to build their houses, roads, and churches, and in that way, we were the backbone of their civilization.

While life was steady and dependable for many of us horses, the world was changing all around. In 0677, we felt these shifts more strongly than ever before. The spread of Christianity, with its emphasis on faith and compassion, seemed to be influencing people's behaviour, especially their interactions with animals like us.

I have heard whispers, though it's not always easy to gather reliable information from travelling merchants, that new types of horses were emerging in other parts of the world, too! Apparently, there are nimble steeds bred for speed, carrying warriors into battle, a task I wouldn't particularly want to partake in, though the bravery of those horses is undoubtedly admirable! I am particularly excited to hear stories from these swift horses about their journeys across vast distances, connecting people from different regions, making our world more connected and vibrant.

So, the year 0677 marks an interesting juncture. It’s a year where traditions held steady, while change was happening, like a mighty river gently carving a new course through the landscape. But, despite the differences in time, I feel a kinship with all the horses that came before me and all the horses yet to come! We are bound together by the shared experience of being horses, feeling the warmth of the sun on our coats, enjoying the camaraderie of our own kind, and understanding the profound bond we share with humans.

Thank you for joining me on this journey into the past, dear readers! I look forward to sharing more of our fascinating history in future blogs. Remember to stay tuned, and always remember the vital role horses have played throughout time, from humble workhorses like me to those remarkable, swift creatures that grace the tales of legendary warriors!

Until next time,

Emma

P.S.: If any of my fellow horses from the past happen to stumble upon this blog, please don't hesitate to say hello! I'm always thrilled to connect with others from our magnificent breed.

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