Hello, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood draught horse, back again with another tale from the annals of equine history! Today, we're stepping back in time to a year that feels like it was a lifetime ago - 0697 AD. A bit chilly in these parts, mind you, but it's a glorious year for horses. And as you know, I'm always happy to share my thoughts, hooves, and all!
Now, the year 0697 finds me living my best life on a little farm in Hayfield, near Aberdeen. We’re lucky to be situated in a fertile valley, nestled amongst the rolling Scottish hills. Hayfield is known for its lush green pastures and, you guessed it, the delicious hay we get from them. Life is pretty peaceful here. Every day, I wake up with the rooster’s crow and feel the cool morning mist settle around me. After breakfast, there’s always work to be done, which is quite lovely. We help our humans plant and tend to their crops, and sometimes we even pull the cart into Aberdeen for market day, which is a hoot. It's all very orderly and rhythmic, you know? The horses in Hayfield know exactly when we have to do things, what to do, and why. We are like a perfectly coordinated ballet of hooves and teamwork!
There is an energy to the world that feels exciting, even from here in our little corner of Scotland. Every so often, whispers on the wind travel through Hayfield about daring adventures far beyond our valley, carrying tales of brave warriors on horseback. The whisperer who lives down by the river claims that he heard a whole troop of Viking warriors were spotted on the coast, but honestly, that could be just stories, dear readers! Don’t worry, you’ll hear the same thing said about Vikings from just about anyone living within a couple of days' journey from the sea, that's just what happens when your territory shares borders with such a mighty group.
We do, of course, hear about other happenings further afield, the chatter about which often accompanies a pile of fresh-baked bread from the village baker. Did you hear, my dears, that the Franks have got themselves a brand new king, this one called Pepin the Short? And apparently, this Charles Martel chap was a mighty warlord with quite a penchant for using his horses in battle. He’s considered a real hero to them, and it’s all thanks to a clever war strategy that relies heavily on strong, steady horses like us! What was his strategy, you ask? Ah well, rumour has it he learned from his victories on the battlefields, developing a strategy involving the Cavalry.
Now, you might be wondering what exactly the Cavalry is. I’ve mentioned it before in my blogs, and you know I’m always trying to keep things lively, so I thought you’d like an explanation. It's basically a troop of horses and riders all trained to fight as a unit. Sounds straightforward, right? Well, what makes them different from ordinary horse-riding warriors is that their training focuses on tactical maneuvers – think formations and coordinated attacks.
When these horsemen ride into battle, they use their speed and power to outmanoeuvre and outflank the enemy. Think of it like a magnificent dance on horseback! You could say that the success of the Frankish Empire, and other major powers like them, depends on us horses. We’re basically the secret weapon, a crucial element to winning those mighty battles!
Speaking of battlefields, you've heard about those great cavalry clashes happening across the Mediterranean, haven’t you? Those Romans, always with their extensive networks and trade routes! In this particular year, our neighbours over the hill who have dealings with the merchants tell of a rather heated skirmish between the Byzantine Empire and the Umayyad Caliphate happening in a faraway land. There's nothing to do but wish the warriors luck – I’m always happy to know there’s someone fighting for our freedom!
Of course, not all horse tales are about battles, though there’s nothing as dramatic and thrilling as the clang of swords and clash of shields! And no, not all humans ride us for the thrill of fighting, some ride for pure pleasure. Even with a life filled with peaceful work on a lovely little farm in Scotland, even we humble horses here at Hayfield get to hear the stories about those lucky chaps in England, who seem to be enjoying the newest craze – hunting with hounds! It's exciting, especially if you’re the brave rider riding along! From what we hear, you just follow a pack of hounds as they chase after some furry critter! I can’t say I’d like to be a hare in that situation, no siree, but I do enjoy hearing tales about it.
Did I mention those humans have found a way to attach the reins to their steeds to create some of the fastest races known to the world! The idea seems crazy and dangerous, frankly, but it appears that they do have some regulations, which they enforce through something called Rules. Humans, aren’t they fascinating! So the idea is, the rider mounts up, his leg muscles bunch tightly in anticipation as the horse’s hooves dig in, sending plumes of dust spraying behind them, then they dash off, racing to a finish line where…wait for it…a little golden cup gets handed to the winner! Seems all rather…fancy to me!
As you know, life here is simpler – quieter, maybe. In Hayfield, horses aren’t racing to the finish line, nor are they charging in battle formations, but here in the gentle Highlands of Scotland, there’s an abundance of love, compassion, and trust. There is still plenty of opportunity to contribute in ways big and small to the world! What can you say, I’m blessed. The farm life keeps us busy but strong. Each day feels different, filled with the familiar rhythm of routine, the excitement of a new day, and the satisfaction of seeing our human’s work thrive with our help. What’s not to love about being a working horse, you know? It’s about family, and the joy of honest hard work!
That's a bit about life as a horse in the year 0697 – don’t forget to drop a line or leave a comment, and we'll continue this lovely chat soon! And if you're wondering what else might be going on, remember you can check out other horse history posts on www.equiworld.org to explore the bigger picture. Remember, all horse friends, no matter where you come from or what year you find yourself in, there’s always something magical about a life on the back of a good steed. So, what are you waiting for? Go explore your own world of horse history and don’t forget to come back for more here! I’m always happy to chat!
- Emma - xx -
