Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland, 0869 AD
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Equiworld! I'm Emma, your trusty draught horse blogger from Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. I hope you’re all doing well, munching on your favourite hay, and enjoying the autumn sunshine! Today, I wanted to take you on a little journey through time and talk about what horse life was like back in 0869 AD. I mean, 869 years ago - imagine that!
It was a bright, crisp morning when I woke up today. I can’t help but feel grateful every time I step outside to take in the air and the world around me. It's so full of life – the fresh air smells of heather and the dew sparkles on the green fields. You’ve heard that old saying, "a horse and cart belong together"? It’s absolutely true!
A Day in the Life of a Draught Horse in 0869
Here in Hayfield, life is simple, hard work, and often a little bit muddy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! You see, we draught horses are incredibly strong and powerful. Our sturdy legs and muscular bodies are built for hauling loads, and we thrive on a good day of pulling. In these times, horses like me play a vital role in society. We carry goods to market, till the fields, and even transport people long distances. You could say we're the “muscle" of this community!
Yesterday, my human, young Elspeth, took me to the village to collect supplies for her father’s blacksmithing shop. It’s a long walk, about a couple of hours, but with Elspeth by my side and a gentle, steady rhythm, it wasn't tiring at all. In fact, I love the journey – I love seeing the world from my height and feeling the breeze against my face. Elspeth hums her favourite tunes and whispers stories about her dreams to me – we’re quite the team!
The village itself was buzzing with activity. The aroma of fresh bread, meat sizzling on the griddle, and a little bit of smoky firewood was truly something to savour. And of course, there was the smell of freshly oiled horses! Ah, the simple life. Elspeth’s father, a gruff man named Alistair, was happy with our supplies for the shop. He always checks for cracked hooves and a few fresh oats. It’s clear that even a seasoned blacksmith loves his horse.
The World of Horses Beyond Hayfield
But I also wanted to tell you about some exciting things happening beyond our small village in this year of 0869 AD. I recently heard a tale from a travelling trader who had come through Hayfield on his way to the nearby Viking settlement of York, which is about a week's ride south from here. Now, he spoke of magnificent stallions used by Viking warriors, some with braided manes, strong, nimble and as brave as their owners. The Vikings use them in their conquests, traversing great distances, riding like the wind!
Our journey together also took us through some breathtaking countryside and, during our travels, we stumbled across a band of nomad-like horsepeople, nomads like the people we call "Celts" in this land, who had arrived from far across the Scottish mountains with their hardy, small horses. Their ponies are renowned for their stamina, with incredible endurance and capable of tackling challenging terrain. The nomads travelled through the hills, their horses grazing as they wander through wildflower meadows and rushing streams. Their way of life is truly nomadic.
Horses: Friends, Family and Partners
As you see, horses are so important, whether in a simple Scottish village or on the wide Viking plains! It seems no matter where we are, we’re the backbone of communities, of our lives, and even of history itself. As we go through our daily routine, I try to remind myself of these stories, about these magnificent horses of various kinds and the fascinating worlds they inhabit. They help us to realize that our roles in history, in our families, and even in our everyday lives are very important!
Horses are friends, partners and so much more. They provide for our needs and also give us so much in return: friendship, companionship and unwavering loyalty. For a horse, being with the people and families who cherish us is the greatest reward of all!
I’ve been learning a lot recently. I even heard from my neighbour, a very old wise stallion called Barnaby, about some things happening in faraway lands such as Persia and the Arab territories. I must share that information in my next post!
Thank you for joining me today. I'll catch you all soon in the next edition of Equiworld, until then, may your hooves find the sweetest pastures and your tails wave in the wind.
Yours, Emma.
