Hello, dear readers! It's Emma here, a proud grey draught mare, turning 20 this year! I live on a little farm in Hayfield, just outside of Aberdeen in Scotland. The breeze whips through the heather here, sometimes chilly, sometimes just fresh and crisp, but always reminding me of the wild, wild life of my ancestors.
This blog, you see, is dedicated to documenting my little corner of horse history. Every week, I share my thoughts on the horse world as I know it. This week? Well, it's the year 0777. Just think of it, 777! A powerful number! The year feels brimming with change, with so much excitement going on in the world of horses.
It’s been a tough year, a bit of a turbulent one too. This is just a whisper in time for you and I, a little dot in a long line, a year much like others, yet full of fascinating happenings! And wouldn't you know it? Our ancestors are once again on the move, the pulse of the human world influencing our lives in such intriguing ways!
Let’s talk about those journeys, shall we?
It seems we are truly living in a golden age, one of travel and conquest, with humans riding horses on paths rarely taken before. We hear whispers of Charlemagne, a human king in the west, a powerful man riding into battle with a dazzling array of horses, all clad in shiny armour and bright colours. It’s all so very exciting. You’ve just got to love the way a well-fitting barding glints in the sun.
The journey across the vast, unyielding Eurasian Steppe continues. We hear tales of Vikings, humans of the North with fierce spirit, who use horses to ride and travel across the great expanses of northern Europe and Russia, navigating the frozen landscapes with incredible bravery and endurance. They even sail on ships powered by oars - such skilled humans! What wonderful things horses have allowed humans to achieve, even to cross the icy seas.
Back home, closer to our farm, we're seeing our kind used for farming, pulling heavy plows, carrying burdens of wheat and barley to markets. Farmers value our strength, and their gentle, respectful handling is something to appreciate. As much as we adore the freedom of running wild in the wild expanses, there’s something soothing about the routine of a good farm day, the earthy smell of freshly tilled soil and the quiet warmth of the stable.
Then, just this year, a man by the name of Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik took over a new role, Caliph of Damascus. It's been quite the sensation! His strong horses with fine bloodlines are renowned in the east. Our kind has made it all the way to the mighty Persian Empire, a place of breathtaking landscapes and vast cities - truly, a wonder! I hear whispers that the horses there are a bit different from us, a bit faster and a bit taller. I imagine those Persians, humans who wear flowing robes and silks, leading them with grace and dignity. Oh, I'd love to see them someday. Perhaps even ride with them?
In the far west, a powerful human named King Offa ruled Mercia. He's building huge fortresses and roads and even has a special horse! They say it is the best in the whole land! King Offa, or so they say, makes sure his horses have plenty of food and water and only the finest hay. It makes me proud that even these mighty rulers treat their horses with respect and care, just as I am treated here at our little farm.
Of course, being from Hayfield, we don't experience all the grandeur that is making its way across the land. But we have our own joys. It’s hay harvest season now. There’s nothing quite like the sweet, fragrant smell of hay, and we gather in the stable at dusk for quiet sharing, reminiscing of the day.
It seems all that human history I mentioned is just one facet of the year 0777. We must also remember all those quiet days when we aren't making the headlines, the times of quiet beauty in our everyday life. Here in Hayfield, the foals are kicking up their heels in the fields, enjoying the late summer days. We even had a visit from the wild Highland horses. It’s rare to see them so close to Hayfield, but those long, flowing manes of theirs caught my eye for a fleeting moment. A good thing it was, too! They’ve moved on again now, back to the moors and highlands they call home. But the memory lingers. Those magnificent creatures are reminders that there's so much more to the world of horses than the stories we hear of rulers and battles.
There's the feeling of freedom under the vast Scottish sky, the rush of adrenaline as we gallop with the wind in our mane. The soft snorts of a young foal in the meadow, the playful nibbling on a tender blade of grass - those are the true stories of our kind. The quiet tales woven into the very fabric of life. We're horses after all, connected to this world and the beating heart of our ancestors - something much grander than kings and kingdoms, more enduring than conquests and even time itself.
This, I tell you, is the life of a horse! A life full of change, hardship, beauty, and wonder. Our own little corner of the world, our own grand tale - and I, dear reader, am glad you chose to listen.
Next week, we’ll discuss something even more wonderful, the fascinating connection between humans and horses! We’ll take a look at what people think about us.
I hope you’ll join me!
Until next week, dear readers. Take care!
Yours always, Emma.
