History of Horses in the year 0839

Hello my fellow equines and equine enthusiasts! Emma here, your resident history buff from Hayfield, just outside the bustling (well, relatively bustling) town of Aberdeen in Scotland. It's me again, your faithful narrator, with another instalment in my journey through time - Equine Adventures! And boy oh boy, have we got a story for you today, folks!

Today we are galloping back to 839 AD. That's eight hundred and thirty-nine years AFTER the birth of our lord and saviour - can you believe it?! A time when Vikings were raiding coastal settlements, Charlemagne's Empire was at its height, and - get this - the very first mention of the mighty "Arabian horse" appears in historical records.

Now, I don't know about you lot, but when I think 839 AD, the image of a scraggly, bony pony with a patchy coat pops into my head. But let me tell you, that is absolutely NOT the case! In fact, 839 was a pretty decent year for a sturdy draught horse like myself, thank you very much!

The early morning air was crisp and cool as I munched on the sweet, juicy hay in my stable. Oh, the life of a work horse! Not all glamour and fancy stables like some of those posh thoroughbreds - but a life full of purpose and, let's be honest, excellent grazing! My strong legs and sturdy frame were designed for pulling plows, hauling carts, and of course, helping farmers like my good human, Laird MacPherson, get the job done.

You see, I wasn't just ANY draught horse, darling. I was a trusty member of the team, hauling barley and oats to the local mill, pulling sturdy carts of wood and stone for new farm buildings, and even pulling a cart of produce to market in Aberdeen - a truly fabulous journey that always involved a tasty treat of gingerbread from a baker with a particularly kind heart.

You know, 839 wasn't always sunshine and hay-filled fields, though. We were right on the edge of those nasty Vikings, and news of their raids filtered up to Aberdeen, causing a bit of a stir. Laird MacPherson had to build watchtowers and keep his horses strong and ready to race - just in case, you know?

One afternoon, I was returning from Aberdeen with the most delectable bag of barley - perfect for a good night's sleep, you understand - when we saw a flurry of activity by the harbour. It seems the Vikings had arrived! They landed on the coast, yelling and plundering. I couldn't quite understand their language, but let me tell you, their expression spoke volumes!

Laird MacPherson quickly moved his horses away from the coast, making sure they were safe in a sheltered paddock behind the house. Thankfully, no Vikings made it to Hayfield that day. The other horses were scared, but I felt strangely fascinated - I just wish I could have gotten a little closer for a good look!

But the news about the Vikings paled in comparison to another significant development of the year, dear readers - the arrival of the ARABIAN HORSE! Now, this was something quite special, and I tell you, it created quite a stir in our equine world. You see, the first historical records mentioning the "Arabian" actually popped up in 839!

Imagine the excitement, the chatter, the whispers. How we wished we could see it with our own eyes! Imagine the grace, the elegance, the sleek beauty... we'd heard it was a magnificent creature! A magnificent creature so treasured, it was said that an Arabian horse would be worth almost the same amount as a very strong warrior!

I must admit, this news caused quite a lot of intrigue in the stable, particularly amongst my fellow work horses. We spent days comparing notes - did the new Arabian have hooves like ours? Could it handle heavy loads? Or was this beautiful beast suited only for royalty?

Alas, none of us saw this fabulous new Arabian. We'd have to wait for the next generation to hear firsthand tales of its graceful strides and fiery spirit!

Listen, I know my role. I'm a hardworking draught horse - built to haul and pull with an incredible amount of strength. But it's 839, folks! We didn't know then about the amazing evolution of horse breeds, or how our lives would change in the future.

Even then, deep inside my powerful, work-horse heart, I dreamt of freedom and adventure. Of racing across meadows and fields, maybe even crossing those perilous oceans to witness new lands. A little piece of my spirit yearned for more than hauling carts. Perhaps I would become a war horse - or, better yet, a proud stallion carrying noble knights on quests! Perhaps the future would see more of that... but alas, it wasn't in the cards for a hefty lass like myself.

But hey, who needs fast horses and exciting battles when you have good hay, a comfortable stable, and the camaraderie of your fellow horses, right?

As the cold Scottish winter settled upon Hayfield, we were busy again, hauling firewood and making sure our human families were comfortable and well-fed. My time in 839 is drawing to a close, but I promise to return again with more fascinating stories, more tales of horse life, and more Equine Adventures for you to enjoy!

Until next time,

Emma

P.S: Don't forget to check out www.equiworld.org for more incredible articles, historical facts, and amazing stories about our magnificent horse friends!