Hooves ahoy, dear Equiworld friends! It’s your favourite grey mare, Emma, from the breezy highlands of Hayfield, near Aberdeen, here to take you on a journey back in time to the year 741. This, my fellow equines, is the year we find ourselves in, galloping through history together!
As a draught horse, born and bred in this wild corner of Scotland, life for me and my fellow horses is all about hard work. It’s the simple things: hauling carts of peat and timber, helping the farmers till the fields, and carrying those brave souls who venture out to the heather-covered moors.
And let me tell you, there’s something wonderfully humbling about it all! Sure, it’s not the glamorous life of a warhorse charging into battle, but it fills your days with purpose and connects you to the rhythm of the land.
The World in 741:
You know, when you’re pulling a plough, you don't have time for all the fancy politics going on in the wider world. We just get on with our work, breathing the fresh air, and letting our hooves carry us through the day.
However, whispers do reach even the most isolated of corners. From what I’ve gathered, things are a bit messy down south, where the English and the Welsh seem to be having a rather heated disagreement. Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, the Franks have a new king, and his name is Pepin the Short. All very intriguing, but as I said, we're more concerned with the harvest, the weather, and ensuring the family dinner table is laden with oats.
The Equestrian World:
So what is happening in the world of horses in 741? Well, not much is new, really. We're still the backbone of our communities. You've got your steeds, of course, for the nobles who journey on horseback and hunt with their hounds. And then there are the heavy-duty fellows like me, who keep the fields fertile and the fires burning.
We horses are hardy, adaptable creatures. You find us everywhere, from the sprawling farmlands to the bustling cities, our hooves paving the way for life. And although the world around us is always changing, one thing remains constant: the strong bond between horses and their humans.
Horsepower: The Engine of Life
The other day, I overheard a shepherd discussing a new technology – wheels! You see, for as long as anyone can remember, we horses have been hauling loads on sledges. But now, they are trying these wheeled contraptions – “carts”, they call them.
Apparently, the carts move smoother over rough ground. Imagine, travelling without a heavy lurch and jerk at every bump! I must admit, even for an old grey mare like me, the idea sounds exciting.
Of course, I don't doubt our worth. After all, the human-horse partnership has been forged in the fires of time. We're in this together, my dear equines, helping to shape the future, one hoof-step at a time.
The Beauty of a Quiet Life:
Evenings in Hayfield are pure magic. With the sun painting the sky in fiery hues of orange and pink, we horses graze in the soft light. Our manes and tails, long and flowing, dance with the gentle breeze. We chat amongst ourselves, reminiscing about our days, our young foals scampering around with boundless energy.
Our human companions return from the fields, weary yet content, and join us by the fire, their hands rough and calloused, their hearts warm with affection. The rhythmic crunch of their boots on the stone floor, the crackling fire, and the distant bleating of the sheep - these are the simple comforts of a quiet life.
I don't envy the fast-paced world beyond these hills. The quiet of Hayfield and the camaraderie of my fellow horses fill me with a joy I would never trade. For as long as the world needs us, we will continue to gallop forward, steadfast and strong, the grey mare with the white mane and tail, and her brothers and sisters, all contributing our humble share to this incredible journey called life.
Until next time, keep your heads up, your hooves steady, and may your stalls be always full of the finest oats. Keep galloping, Equiworld!
Your faithful friend,
Emma, The Grey Mare from Hayfield
