Greetings, fellow equine enthusiasts! It’s Emma here, your resident history buff from Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. I’m thrilled to bring you the latest instalment in my journey through time, a trip back to the year 718, a year full of challenges and promise for the horse world. Buckle up, dear readers, it's a wild ride!
Today I want to delve into a time when our world was much different. Imagine life without cars, without tractors, without the vast networks of roads and railways that criss-cross our lands today. 718 AD was a time when horses were the backbone of society, the lifeblood of trade and transport.
Imagine that I am standing in my stable, feeling the familiar straw beneath my hooves, watching the sunrise over the heather-clad hills. I’m 20 years old now, still in my prime. With my strong, grey body, my thick white mane and tail flowing in the breeze, I’m the picture of a well-cared-for draught horse.
This year, 718, started off with a new energy in the air, a feeling of change. You see, King Nechtan mac Der-Ilei, the ruler of the Picts, had just moved his capital from the highlands to Fortriu, now called Forfar. It’s an important place, a place of great power, and we horses, as always, played a key role in this historic shift.
We hauled goods, transporting provisions and materials to build new structures. It wasn't easy work. Those long journeys across the rugged Scottish landscape demanded our strength and resilience. But we didn't mind, because our work was a part of something larger. We felt like we were part of building a future, a future that included us.
For most horses like myself, the year 718 brought more of the same. We continued to toil on farms, hauling ploughs through the earth, drawing carts to market, and carrying men and materials on our backs. It was a life of hard work, of aching muscles, and dust-filled nostrils, but it was also a life of purpose and pride.
There was a constant hum of activity, with travellers coming and going from Hayfield. It was through these travelers, who stopped at the local inn for refreshment and respite, that I got to hear tales of the wider world.
I learnt that the Anglo-Saxons, to the south, were growing stronger. I heard stories of Alfred the Great, their young King, a man known for his wisdom and his ability to unite his people.
The world beyond Hayfield, as far as I could gather from these travellers' stories, was a kaleidoscope of kingdoms and power struggles. To the south-east, there was Charlemagne, the Frankish King, striving to create a unified empire in the land we now call France. In Ireland, there was the High King of Tara, ruling over the various smaller kingdoms, and stories of fierce Viking raids and plunder were already filtering through, causing anxiety and concern.
Horses are more than just beasts of burden. They are observant creatures, able to feel the moods and the currents of change around them. We were keenly aware of the turbulent times brewing beyond the boundaries of Hayfield.
But back in Hayfield, our daily life remained unchanged, filled with the routines that gave meaning to our existence. My job was the same: a hard one, but I loved the feel of the plough cutting through the soil, and I loved the way the air seemed to dance on my back as I galloped through the fields. I knew I had a role to play in helping my family, and I took my duties seriously.
The year 718, although not a year of sweeping changes in the life of a horse, brought moments of unexpected joy. One such moment was the arrival of a new mare in the village. Her name was Belle, a lovely chestnut with a mane as bright as polished copper. She was strong and intelligent, with a gentle nature, and soon became a favorite of everyone.
Our stable, usually filled with the grunts and groans of tired horses, erupted in whinnies of excitement as we welcomed this new addition. She had travelled far, from the southern plains of England, with tales of a world I had only dreamt of. We, the horses of Hayfield, listened with wide eyes and eager ears, captivated by her stories of the distant meadows and bustling towns.
Belle's arrival sparked a change within our community. We began to spend less time alone, huddled in our stables, and more time grazing in the sun, or trotting through the rolling hills together, sharing our experiences and dreaming of future adventures. It was a time of renewed companionship, of mutual support and the sharing of knowledge.
The bond between horses, especially amongst those who work side by side, is a special one. Belle and I, despite our different backgrounds, found ourselves forming a connection that went beyond our common bond.
For a long time, our shared language was simple – whinnies of joy, gentle nudges, and knowing looks. As days turned into weeks, we found ourselves spending more time together. She would stand near me while I was resting after a hard day's work, and we'd talk about our dreams for the future. We spoke of faraway lands, places we had never been, and imagined the lives we could lead if we were given the freedom to explore the world beyond our small village.
Belle's stories of the world beyond Hayfield fuelled my own desire to learn. She shared tales of large fields of blooming wildflowers, vast rivers and mountains, and ancient castles with stories woven into their stone. It was a world of immense possibilities, a world that ignited a sense of yearning within me. I couldn't just stand here, in this quiet corner of Scotland. There was a world waiting to be discovered, and I knew that one day, I would be a part of it.
718 AD might have seemed like just another year in the life of a working horse. But for me, it was the year my world began to open up. Belle, with her wanderlust, ignited a spark within me, and I felt myself stirring with a desire for adventure. The year ended, as most years did, with the first snow falling over the rolling hills of Scotland.
I stood in my stall, my mane and tail glistening with snowflakes. Looking up at the vastness of the sky above, I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, a yearning for something beyond my everyday life. The world seemed vast, filled with a universe of possibilities.
My story isn't over, dear readers. The adventures are just beginning! Stay tuned for the next chapter in my journey through time, as I journey into a new year, filled with new discoveries, challenges, and above all, the ever-growing love and bond with my fellow equines.
Remember to visit Equiworld often, and don't hesitate to leave your own equine tales in the comments below. Until next time, let the love of horses fill your hearts!
