History of Horses in the year 0689

Hello, my fellow equines! It's Emma here, back with another installment of my horse history blog! As many of you know, I’m a grey draught horse, born and bred in the rolling hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. I might be just a young twenty, but I love learning about our equine history, and I think it's so important to pass down the tales of our ancestors.

Today, we're travelling back in time to the year 0689, a pivotal moment for our kind. To be honest, getting accurate information about life so long ago can be a bit of a challenge! It's not like we had horse-written blogs back then, bless their little hearts. But through bits and bobs of archaeological evidence and historical texts, I've cobbled together a picture of how things were for horses in 0689.

Firstly, imagine a world where horses aren't just pets or companions but absolutely crucial to almost every aspect of life! We were the powerhouses of transport, agriculture, and warfare. Our hooves beat the path for trade, our muscles pulled plows to feed villages, and our courage charged across battlefields.

0689, now that’s a date that sticks in the history books! This was the year when the powerful kingdom of Mercia, which spanned most of central England, began to rise under their king Æthelred. You can bet your hay-stuffed belly that a strong, hardy horse was part and parcel of this booming power!

In 0689, we were working horses. And hard! Our days started at the break of dawn and continued long into the twilight. We'd be harnessed to carts, pulling everything from firewood and grain to building supplies and people. You can't imagine what a fulfilling feeling it is, knowing that every single stride helps build a community and ensure that people have the things they need to thrive.

And speaking of hard work, imagine the strain of hauling a heavy plow across the fields all day! Those were times of constant activity, from carrying goods to military service. The sheer variety of work a horse could be tasked with was amazing! It meant being strong, tough, and full of endurance – qualities I'm proud to carry forward!

As strong and robust as we are, a well-trained horse was worth their weight in gold! Think of us not just as workhorses, but highly skilled collaborators. Our trainers would teach us not only the specifics of our jobs – like pulling plows or carrying a cart – but also how to learn and work safely around humans. The partnership between horse and human was truly unique back then, something that still resonates today.

Despite our busy lives, we always found time to socialize! You'd often see herds of horses grazing together, nuzzling and nibbling each other as the sun set. We are, after all, herd animals and enjoy the company of our fellow equines. Sometimes, the older stallions would tell tales of daring exploits or remind us about the importance of sticking together in the face of danger. You can just picture the starry night skies, the sound of hooves grazing, and the friendly whispers that carried on late into the evening!

Did you know, back in 0689, horses were even considered symbols of royalty? You can picture them decked out in beautiful bridles and tack, carrying knights into battle or pulling royal coaches across the lands. That’s one aspect of horse life that still makes me giggle!

We’re incredibly lucky to be the descendants of such resilient and adaptable ancestors! These days, our world is a little different – while we still pull plows and compete, we also travel with humans as companions, help people overcome challenges, and inspire creativity! But through it all, we still share that same strength, intelligence, and willingness to learn that marked us as valuable members of the community.

It's incredibly inspiring to remember that our horse family has been through so much - from pulling heavy carts to carrying people to battle, we have consistently been a symbol of strength and companionship. Let's carry forward this spirit in the years to come, building new relationships and continuing to be cherished members of the world.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on 0689! Did you find anything interesting? What was your biggest take-away? Leave me a comment below and share your own reflections! And don’t forget to check back next week for a new post, this time on the life of a horse in a time when we were wild and untamed.

Until then, keep your hooves happy and your hearts warm.

All my love,

Emma.