Greetings from Hayfield!
My name is Emma, and it's a glorious spring morning in 742, just after Easter. I am a 20-year-old grey mare with a mane and tail as white as snow. Living in the northern Scottish countryside, surrounded by the majestic rolling hills and whispering pines of Hayfield, means we horses are essential to life here. From working the fields to carrying our masters on their travels, our lives are deeply interwoven with the people around us.
The Changing Landscape of Our World
Looking back, it's remarkable to see how much has changed since the first of the wild horses ventured onto these lands. Our ancestors came from Central Asia, bringing their wild spirit and grace, their incredible strength, and a wild beauty that captured the hearts of the humans they encountered. They tamed us, we became partners, and slowly, through selective breeding and the dedication of their care, they created us. We are the horses of 742, the working horses, the draft horses, the sturdy companions that are a backbone to the communities in our beautiful world.
It is exciting to see the advances in technology even within my lifetime! A few years ago, a blacksmith created the first horseshoes, and they really help to protect our hooves and improve our speed and efficiency on the rocky terrain here. I can already feel my fellow horses gaining in speed and strength with the new technology and better care, thanks to the knowledge humans are constantly accumulating.
The Life of a Horse in Hayfield
My days begin with the early light filtering through the trees, dappling the dusty stable floor. I share this stable with my old friend, Ben. He is a stout brown horse, just my senior. Ben is more experienced than I am with this sort of work, he has been hauling the millstone for years, and even the local bishop visited us last year on his travels, riding him to our village. They tell stories about his courage and loyalty – qualities we all possess, but that Ben exudes. The day begins with grooming - oh, those delightful, long strokes from our human friend's brush. It leaves our coats gleaming in the sunshine!
After the morning grooming ritual, a satisfying breakfast of hay, and a chat with Ben, I head off for my morning duties, along with our human friend, Ewan. Today is hay day - we pull a long cart overflowing with the dried grasses that are a staple part of our diet and a much-needed food source for many local villagers. I love pulling the heavy cart. It is a challenge, yet also gives me the satisfaction of being a vital part of life in this bustling community. It's the work that allows our family to live comfortably in our stables, ensuring we always have plenty to eat. I must confess, sometimes it's tempting to be lazy and just graze, but there's a great sense of purpose when I see that cart brimming with hay, a promise of nourishment for others.
After work, we take a walk in the meadow behind the village. The smell of wildflowers and the cool touch of the dew are such lovely things. I enjoy napping in the shade of the ancient trees and playing with the other horses - it's a peaceful life here, especially compared to those busy cities far to the south where the air is thick with smoke and the smell of dust. I hear stories from other horses that have traveled those ways, and I thank my lucky stars that I have found a home in Hayfield, far from the chaos.
Beyond Hayfield
While my world centres around Hayfield and the beautiful Scottish landscape, it's important to remember that there are other horses throughout the world, each with their own unique story to tell. A travelling merchant came to Hayfield recently, bringing with him stories from all over. He shared that horses are not just used for hauling goods and for transportation - he described races across vast plains where thousands of people cheered their champions and spoke about the horses of the Arab people and how they valued them as precious, prized animals. The stories filled my heart with awe and gave me a wider understanding of our own species, a true tapestry woven across cultures and lands.
A Note From Emma
Though the world of the 740s seems worlds away from your modern time, you should know that these are not times to be mourned or forgotten. There was a beautiful, simpler rhythm to our life, the days filled with routine, and the constant knowledge of what must be done. We knew the ways of the earth, the weather patterns, and the cycle of the seasons. We felt deeply connected to the rhythms of nature. While technology changes at breakneck speed today, it is our heritage - the strength of our ancestors, the skill of the humans we partner with, and the beauty of our wild past - that remains important. It is why we strive to learn about the lives of horses through time, celebrating our history and celebrating the human and animal bond that will continue to bloom through centuries.
This blog will continue to track and share the stories of our incredible history, one post at a time. Please feel free to comment, leave your thoughts, or share your own stories!
