History of Horses in the year 0867

Neigh-sayers always say the past was simpler, right? Well, as a grey mare born and bred in Hayfield near Aberdeen, let me tell you, even in 0867, things were anything but plain sailing! I've been delving into the ancient records – a real hoof-wrenching exercise, but worth it, trust me! – and, oh my, the world of horses back then was as lively and varied as my favourite meadow of daisies.

So, buckle up, fellow Equine enthusiasts, as we go on a whirlwind tour of 0867 – a year that, in my humble opinion, proved pivotal for our breed, even if we weren't quite aware of it back then!

You wouldn't believe how much the ground shook around here, you see. I was barely a foal when I remember hearing tales from the old geldings about a fearsome Norse leader named Ivar the Boneless! Now, Ivar the Boneless - who would name their horse that?! - and his raiders had a knack for landing at the most inconvenient times, their longships arriving like thunder, leaving folk in a panic. It felt like we were always having to move fields, leaving our oats and barley half-chewed. Not ideal for a young horse, I can tell you!

But it wasn't all gloom and doom, mind you. Hayfield was buzzing with activity as the local menfolk prepared to defend the place. The aroma of fresh leather from the saddlery shops, the pounding of horse-shoes being fitted, the low chatter of the men – the whole place felt like a massive hive of industry! I often saw sturdy farm horses like myself getting their own war tack, which felt pretty serious even at the time.

You'd think we were heading off to fight ourselves, wouldn't you? Well, even though we were on the front lines, metaphorically speaking, we were actually at the heart of all the goings on, as vital to the village's success as any axe-wielding warrior.

But the Norse were a crafty bunch. They didn't always come from the sea! There were stories from travellers passing through Hayfield - who didn't smell of salt spray! - about Norse folk arriving through the Scottish highlands. Talk about your sneaky entrances, eh?!

And it wasn't just us on the farms who felt the impact. All sorts of horses, from the grand chargers ridden by the noble folk right down to the ponies who pulled carts of supplies, played a crucial part in these times. These brave little steeds, they helped move provisions to the fortresses being hastily erected – a real sight to behold!

You see, back in those days, our four-legged friends weren't just a way of getting from A to B, we were practically walking arsenals, carrying not only weapons but the very essentials to survival. It wasn't about galloping into battle on our own, oh no, our job was way more intricate and demanding than that! We were a vital link in the chain, pulling, carrying, and keeping everything moving – including food and water, essential for the men at the fortresses. It was all pretty chaotic but every horse in the area knew its role. We pulled and carried with all our strength, we were truly a community on hooves!

### More Than Just Transport

But 0867 wasn't just about Viking raids, though that's definitely the big thing for the horse-world in my corner of Scotland! I heard tales, whispers in the wind really, about a new King Alfred emerging in southern England. Apparently, he was just a boy at the time, but he already saw the need to gather an army to fight these Vikings off. He understood that horses played a key role, bringing his forces to the battlefield quickly and effectively! His victories helped change the entire course of Anglo-Saxon England – you could say those horses really made history.

And if you think about it, even the Vikings relied heavily on their trusty steeds. Horses were their essential workhorses, allowing them to plunder, trade, and move swiftly through their lands. You wouldn't imagine Vikings, all bluster and beard, on a leisurely walk would you? No! They were the speed demons of their day! Horses were part and parcel of their very culture.

There's this intriguing account from the records, see, describing the "Vikings' Horses", which had a very specific build. You know those magnificent, powerful horses, capable of galloping across miles of terrain, all rugged and handsome? That's what these Viking war steeds were known for! Imagine the sheer thrill, the rush of wind through your mane, as you carried a fierce warrior into battle, the earth trembling beneath you... ah! It wasn't so bad, for the right horse, I imagine.

One of the things that fascinated me most while studying this era was the focus on breeding. It seems that back in the 9th century, they were well aware of the importance of a good stud horse and his ability to pass on desirable traits to his foals! Just think, these qualities: strong backs for carrying burdens, endurance for long journeys, the courage and temperament to face whatever danger they encountered… these were not just random qualities, these were things that could be carefully developed through selective breeding.

You can't help but admire the folks back then, how they were aware of this long before our modern stud farms even existed!

From the sturdiness of our draught horses to the sleek strength of the warhorses, it all comes down to those careful selections, those breedings of years ago. Those generations, back then, they shaped the very DNA of horses that exist today, isn't that astounding?

0867 - a year packed with conflict, a time when horse and man stood side-by-side. It reminds me, dear readers, that even in the face of all the chaos, our equine world played a key role in shaping the course of history. I just hope those grand Viking horses who helped shape those events knew they were making such a difference - and maybe I’m putting too much thought into it, I suppose! But when you hear those tales, when you can almost feel those hoof beats in your head, it all feels pretty extraordinary, right?!

As always, keep your noses to the wind, fellow Equine enthusiasts, and we shall see what historical journeys await us next!