Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland
A Draught Horse's Diary - The Year 846
Good day, dear readers, and welcome to my blog, "A Draught Horse's Diary"! I am Emma, a 20-year-old grey mare with a mane and tail as white as the Highland snows. My life, you see, is filled with the earth beneath my hooves and the sky above. My heart belongs to Hayfield, a charming village tucked amongst rolling green hills, where the wind whispers tales of Highland history and the smell of peat smoke hangs heavy in the air.
This year, 846, promises to be a busy one. The barley is growing well in the fields, plumping up under the summer sun, and soon, I'll be working with my brethren, hauling carts and plows, making sure the harvest is bountiful. My strong, sturdy legs were built for this work, for these are the days of the draught horse, and I, like all of my kind, am deeply woven into the fabric of daily life.
But the work of a draught horse is not only about hauling and ploughing. Oh no, we play a far larger role in the world! We carry families and goods along the winding roads, allowing the rhythm of our hooves to be the beat of progress. We bring the freshest bread to the villages, pull heavy loads of timber for new builds, and we even assist the monks with their travels and pilgrimages.
My friend, Finnigan, a chestnut mare from a nearby farm, told me recently about a fascinating news bulletin. It appears that a brave and clever knight, a Viking called Leif Erikson, sailed across the vast ocean, bringing tales of a land beyond, called “Vinland,” full of plentiful harvests and endless possibilities. Such stories spark a sense of adventure in even the most sturdy horse heart!
Life as a horse is filled with simple pleasures. The gentle breeze through my mane, the scent of hay in the stable, the camaraderie of my fellow horses – all these create a harmony that brings contentment to my soul. Yet, amidst this peace, there are challenges as well.
Just last week, I was in charge of pulling a cart laden with flour to the local baker. The roads, even with the best intentions, were muddy and treacherous, and I had to navigate them with the utmost care. But the thrill of delivery, the gratitude in the baker's eyes, made the whole ordeal worth it.
This year, a group of horses are being sent south to the Royal stables, a place where kings and queens keep their finest steeds. My friends speak with reverence about the grandeur of those stables, but my heart stays in Hayfield, with the gentle sway of the meadows and the constant whisper of the North Sea wind.
Speaking of the wind, I do believe it carries with it whispers of the year ahead. It tells of the icy fingers of winter soon to caress the land, the slumber of the fields under a blanket of snow, and the quiet rest for all the hard-working creatures of Hayfield.
However, I will not allow such musings to cloud my days. There are still days of sun and laughter to be enjoyed, the crunch of hooves on frozen ground, the warmth of a shared hay pile with my stablemates, and the knowledge that our kind, the humble draught horses, are integral to this life, to this land, and to this beautiful, ever-changing world.
So until next time, my dear readers, may your hooves tread softly on the earth, may your bellies be full of hay, and may your hearts be warmed by the beauty of the simple life. Farewell for now!
Emma, the Grey Draught Mare
Hayfield, Scotland, 846
An EquiWorld Editor's Note:A Historical Footnote for Horse Lovers:
As the year 846 unfolds, the world is undergoing significant change. The Norsemen, with their mighty ships, are still active explorers, pushing outwards from their homelands to explore new territories, spreading trade and knowledge in their wake. It's intriguing to consider that, in this very year, one of the Vikings' most famous adventurers, Leif Erikson, reached the shores of Vinland.
Here in Europe, though, we find ourselves in a period known as the “Early Middle Ages." During this time, the horse remained an essential working animal, playing a vital role in all aspects of life, from farming and transport to warfare.
Emma's account is a beautiful portrayal of the importance of draught horses within their society. The work of hauling, plowing, and transporting is indeed a testament to the hard-working nature and resilience of this magnificent animal. Emma’s insights provide us with a valuable perspective on horse life in the 9th century. Her simple joy, her devotion to work, and her unwavering spirit resonate deeply with any horse enthusiast.
For our next blog post, we will be revisiting Emma’s life as the year progresses, learning more about her adventures and exploring how horses contributed to the development of the human world during these times. We invite you, dear readers, to share your thoughts and knowledge on the subject in the comments section below!
Please remember that the events surrounding Leif Erikson's journey and the impact of Viking exploration are subject to ongoing historical debate. This blog entry is presented as a fictional account within the fictional timeline of Emma’s story.
