By Emma, Grey Draught Mare (from Hayfield, near Aberdeen)
Hello fellow equines and humans! It’s Emma here, back with another chapter in the story of us magnificent creatures, the horse. Let’s take a journey to the year 0720 AD. Think of all the exciting adventures we horses were having all over the world. Just as we do today, but in different ways.
Now, picture this - a glorious spring day in the small but vibrant village of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. I’m about twenty years old, which for a draught horse like myself is getting on a bit, but I still have plenty of fire in my belly. I have a stunning, white mane and tail - the most striking, glistening silver you ever did see - which makes me a bit of a local celebrity, but don’t you worry, I’m not the boastful type.
Anyway, as I stand by the stable door, enjoying the morning sun, I hear the local farmer, Davie, say to his wife, "Mary, you need to saddle up old Emma, the blacksmith needs the cart to go down to the town." I knew right away what this meant: it was a special day at the village fair. The annual blacksmiths' fair. My ears twitched, I whinnied softly and was eager to get going!
There was a real sense of community in our little corner of the world back then. Our village thrived on trade, and these fairs were an important event in our calendar. People travelled for days from near and far - even as far away as the town of Forres which is over 80 miles away! And us horses were right at the centre of it.
Of course, I didn’t go to the fair myself. That was the job of the sturdy brown mare called Willow, who was owned by Davie. But I helped prepare everything and was on the edge of the stable block, listening to the bustling energy and smelling the intoxicating mix of leather, wood smoke, and the fresh spring air - it always gave me goosebumps!
As the morning light danced over the hayfield, I could hear the faint sounds of hammers ringing on metal. That beautiful sound of a blacksmith at work - I knew it meant that another wonderful day was beginning!
We were an indispensable part of everyone’s life back in 0720. I often helped Davie bring the cart from the town, loaded down with grain or the precious fabric to weave the famous Hayfield tapestries. Everyone, humans and horses alike, seemed to thrive on the lively energy. The whole community, from the smallest of village children to the local bard who told exciting tales, always welcomed the horses with respect and gratitude.
But for all the activity and fun, I knew deep down there was a constant tension lurking in the background. Our lives in Scotland back then, even as prized draught horses, weren’t always carefree.
Vikings! Those fierce warriors with their imposing ships would sometimes attack the villages around the Scottish coastline. Not always but enough times for us to know they could pop up anywhere and everywhere.
A shiver went down my spine whenever the village elders started gathering in secret. They spoke about "protection", and “guarding the villages”, but I didn’t fully understand their talk.
It was an uneasy time, as the horses were also needed for war. Many a stallion and mare were trained for battle, some to carry fearless riders, others for hauling heavy goods. The very same horses that pulled carts and plodded through fields would find themselves thrust into the midst of fierce battle - a dark and chaotic world that was so very different to my own simple farm life.
Even so, I sensed a deep sense of love and loyalty within the village towards the horses. When war came to our shores, humans were as much afraid of losing their horses as they were their own family. We were an essential part of their lives, their dependable partners in all circumstances, from bringing home the harvest to fighting bravely on the battlefield.
My friend, the wise old mare called Grace, a formidable black with an unforgettable sparkle in her eye, used to say, "Horses, like humans, have their place. The best way to be strong is to be useful." Grace, who was over 30 years old at the time, knew things that I could only imagine. She had seen battles, hardship and the harshness of the world. Yet, she was kind, with a quiet strength that gave her an inner peace that many humans would be envious of.
It’s true - life wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. It wasn't always smooth, even back in those times, but despite the shadows that stretched across the land, horses held their heads high. I felt it myself, this quiet determination and unwavering loyalty. I believe we gave the humans something powerful and beautiful in return: our strength, our endurance and our trust.
Now, imagine you’re with me in the heart of the Hayfield village in 0720 AD. We are at the annual blacksmiths' fair, watching as people bargain, haggle and dance to the sounds of the village bard’s haunting music.
Horses are everywhere. There's Willow, the beautiful brown mare I told you about, pulling Davie’s cart laden with shiny iron wares - the work of the village blacksmith. Over there, a majestic grey stallion named Caspian shows off his fine coat and proud carriage as a groom leads him for the judging of best stud horse in the region. It’s the grand event of the fair and it’s always a thrilling show of skill and grace.
But wait, who is that galloping towards the village square? Look, it’s a young rider, bareback on a fiery chestnut mare, all leather, strength and a tangle of brown hair flying in the wind! He's bringing the news! A collective gasp runs through the crowd - a nervous energy takes over as they try to understand his words.
The young rider’s arrival disrupts the merry atmosphere of the fair. He brings word of a raid – a raid by those pesky Vikings, of course! They are approaching our land - heading straight towards Aberdeen itself!
The festival comes to a sudden halt as people turn towards the rider, their faces pale with fear. Fear for themselves, fear for their homes and their families - and fear for their horses. We are vital to their existence!
That’s it for this post, you lovely people. Stay tuned for my next post where we'll talk about those Vikings, how life changed and the new adventures in store for a grey mare from Hayfield. See you then!
Emma, Hayfield
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