Hello, fellow equines and equine enthusiasts! Emma here, a grey mare with a flowing white mane and tail, reporting live from my beloved Hayfield, near the beautiful city of Aberdeen in Scotland. The year is 793, and it's a wonderful time to be a horse, let me tell you!
I'm so excited to start this blog, a place for me to share my thoughts and observations on all things equine. Think of it as a chronicle of our lives, a peek into our world, and a celebration of the amazing bond between horses and humans.
As I've said, I'm Emma, a draught mare, and my strength and endurance are renowned. Every morning, I awaken to the sound of my human companion, Magnus, rousing me from my slumber. A gentle pat and a quiet "Good morning, lass," and I'm up and ready to go. Today, Magnus and I have a long day ahead of us. He needs my strength to pull the plough across the field. We’re preparing the land for the upcoming harvest. You know, these humans need to be reminded, from time to time, that we're vital to their very existence! They depend on us, after all. Without us, there would be no crops.
The Importance of Family
As much as I love working the land with Magnus, there's nothing quite like the bond I share with my fellow horses. Our herd is like a family. We stand together, graze together, and offer mutual comfort and support. Just the other day, a young foal, named Rowan, got his foot caught in a bramble bush. We all worked together, pulling at the bush and encouraging the little one to free himself. That's what family does.
Tales From Across the World
Speaking of family, and horses in general, a wise old stallion called MacAllister shared some incredible tales from his journeys. You see, MacAllister was a messenger horse, often sent with important documents and news between the villages.
He described a grand palace in a distant land called Lindisfarne, filled with magnificent horses. They wore ornate harnesses, pulled chariots and carried warriors. The most beautiful horse MacAllister had ever seen was the king's warhorse. They called him a 'palfrey', but MacAllister thought he was just a little 'flashy' if you ask me!
More Than Just Working
Horses are much more than just work animals, however. We are also companions, confidants, and partners. We gallop through the meadows, feeling the wind whip through our manes, our muscles strong and proud. We enjoy the freedom and beauty of the Scottish landscape, our hooves hitting the ground with the satisfying thud of hooves upon solid earth.
New Discoveries - The World of Horses is Expanding!
MacAllister had also encountered an unusual type of human-made enclosure for horses. Apparently, these structures are called 'stables'. MacAllister, in his vast wisdom, said it was a great invention for housing horses during bad weather. A little stuffy, yes, but he thinks it could catch on! He said a group of horses living in a place called York even have special structures to train and exercise in – what a luxury! I can’t say it’s particularly exciting compared to roaming free but there are certainly a lot of interesting changes happening in the world.
The news that reaches our far corner of Scotland doesn’t always bring good tidings though. MacAllister spoke of troubles in the south – raids and battles between humans and their horse-borne warriors. This is a worrying trend. My friend Freya said she felt unsettled and hoped her family would be safe.
Our Role
While there are challenges facing horses and humans in this changing world, we are reminded of the fundamental roles we play in their lives. Our resilience, strength and companionship bring people comfort and safety. Even in times of trouble, we stand beside them, and sometimes that's the most important thing.
Stay tuned for the next instalment of my equine chronicles
And that's a glimpse into life as a horse in 793! Join me again next week for more exciting stories from Hayfield and beyond, and remember, there's much more to being a horse than just a means of transportation.
If you’d like to learn more about horses in 793 or about life in ancient Scotland in general, head over to www.equiworld.org! It's a fantastic website dedicated to horses and equine history, with oodles of information for horse lovers like us. See you next week, and happy galloping!
Emma
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