Hooves down, fellow equestrians!
Emma here, your friendly grey mare with the flowing white mane and tail, reporting live from the rolling hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen. It’s been a while, I know, but I’ve been busy! Keeping up with a busy draught horse’s life, you know?
This time around, I’m venturing into the mists of history, whisking you all back to the year 0849, a time long before the invention of hay nets or those shiny stainless steel buckets that they use nowadays. Honestly, you can't beat a good old fashioned wooden trough for soaking up oats!
0849 was a year that saw the world bustling with activity, including in our beloved horse world.
Firstly, and perhaps most excitingly, there was the magnificent* Caliphate of Cordoba*! Did you know that it was considered the most important centre for equestrian learning in the whole of Europe at this time? And we’re not just talking about a couple of barns, we're talking about a vast area stretching across parts of Spain and Portugal, known for its horses, its horse breeds, and the passion its people had for them. Think polo, parades, cavalry - the whole shebang!
The Cordobans, and I don’t mean the brand of sausages (although a tasty treat for a horse nonetheless!), were incredibly advanced for their time. They embraced equestrianism, they bred some of the finest horses of their time, and they even held races for charity!
I just imagine galloping alongside a long line of dappled greys and chestnut bays, the air full of cheering crowds, the feel of the sun on my coat as I strain my muscles to take the lead. That’s the kind of life that gets the blood pumping!
Now, while the sun shone brightly on Cordoba, it wasn't all rosy in other parts of Europe. It's quite hard to get accurate information from so long ago, but rumour has it that Viking raids were a big problem in those times! Imagine: those scary Northmen with their horned helmets and longships, sailing all the way down to England, Ireland, and even France, with the threat of stealing not just our treasure, but our horses too! A truly scary thought!
Of course, I know that a lot of people think of horses only for their strength and speed, but you can't discount their role in communications! Imagine riding through dense forests, with just the sounds of your hooves echoing in the silence, taking messages of hope, love, or sometimes even warning, across the land. They're like galloping libraries, delivering important news quicker than any carrier pigeon!
Which brings me to another intriguing event of 0849 - the flourishing of the monastic system. Remember the good old days when monasteries were the hubs for culture, education, and yes, you guessed it - horses! These powerful institutions were crucial in breeding, training, and caring for horses, especially for the important tasks of transporting supplies and spreading important knowledge across vast distances. Can you imagine being the trusty steed for a monk, helping to deliver essential supplies to far off places? Talk about a noble service!
Speaking of noble services, 0849 saw the emergence of a powerful dynasty – the Carolingian Empire, founded by the great Charlemagne, whose horses were some of the most sought-after in all of Europe. He was a true horse enthusiast and took them into his heart as companions, comrades, and a key part of his empire’s strength.
Even back then, just like now, everyone was talking about the different breeds. There was the majestic Friesian horse with its flowing mane and black as night coat. The sturdy, hardy North Sea horses, bred for their strength and endurance, even in the most rugged of climates. And of course, the elegant Arabian, known for its fiery spirit and speed, which people often say originated from the land of sand and dunes, where the hot sun glistens on its coat. It’s all so fascinating to me, just the sheer diversity of horses throughout history.
But 0849 wasn't just about majestic horses and powerful empires. In Hayfield, our small Scottish village was bustling with activity too. I can’t tell you for sure how many horses we had, but you can bet we were busy, pulling plows, carrying wood for fires, transporting goods, and carrying the locals to the nearby towns and markets. We’re the backbone of the community, those of us from the Shire, and we do what we’re good at – getting things done!
Although it may not sound glamorous, I truly appreciate our work, I really do! It feels good to have a purpose, knowing that your strength and agility is helping your community prosper, keeping food on the table and keeping the village life running smoothly. We are all connected in the most beautiful way! I think this is something that horses have understood since the dawn of time, since our first steps together, man and beast, side by side, partners on the long and wondrous journey of life.
So, I leave you with this thought, as I head off to a long night of sleep after a long day pulling the miller’s cart – 0849, it was a year of vast empires and powerful horses, a year that proved that even back then, our world revolved around us! We horses, in our own humble way, truly shaped history, bringing people together, carrying their hopes and dreams across the lands. And that, my friends, is a story worthy of a blog post!
*Until next time, *
Emma, your Scottish grey draught mare
