History of Horses in the year 0870

A Gentle Neigh From Hayfield, by Emma

Good morning, lovely readers! Emma here, a 20-year-old grey mare from Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland. It's a bit chilly here today, but the sun is shining, and I've just had a delightful breakfast of the sweetest clover hay, so I'm feeling bright as a button. As always, it's a pleasure to be sharing my thoughts with you, particularly since today is the anniversary of something pretty special.

I know what you're thinking: another history blog post? Really, Emma? But trust me, this one's different. 870 AD – that's today, you see. It marks the year I was born! Now, I may not have the memory of a human, but I do remember this time fondly. It was a year filled with fresh, sweet grass and plenty of opportunity to exercise my strong legs and even stronger back, carrying supplies to nearby towns. It was a year for enjoying life, a year for growth, and a year for being part of a bustling community.

To understand my world in 870, imagine a world powered by hooves and muscles, rather than the chugging engines you folks are so familiar with these days. That's how it was then - all about us horses, the vital heart of movement and transport.

Back in those days, we weren't just farm animals; we were family members. We weren't just for pulling plows, though we certainly did our share of that too. We were the transport, the messengers, the lifelines of villages and towns. Every day was an adventure, every journey a story.

I remember my mother teaching me how to carry loads on my back – nothing too heavy for a youngster like myself. Flour, grain, maybe even a chest of clothes. Our strong backs were built for the task, our feet sure-footed on the rough, unpaved roads. We travelled with our humans, understanding their rhythms, their hopes and fears. The journey wasn’t just about getting from A to B; it was about being a part of their world.

Remember when you'd gallop with your friends, legs kicking up the dust, manes and tails flying in the wind? Ah, those days. Even as a working horse, I was blessed with a certain freedom. Unlike the sleek racehorses you see these days, built purely for speed, we were bred to be strong and dependable, our muscles built for long distances, for endurance.

This gave us a certain resilience. The rolling hills of Hayfield were our playground. The wind whipping through my mane as I thundered through the heather, a glorious sensation! We had to learn to be watchful of the wild boar, alert to the cry of a hawk in the sky, aware of every shift in the weather, for these elements were a constant reminder of nature's power.

Even when working on the farm, there was always a quiet moment to graze, to stretch my legs under a big oak, or maybe enjoy a leisurely walk in the woods with the humans, feeling the warmth of their touch, understanding their whispers. These moments were little snippets of pure bliss, filling my spirit with contentment.

I'm quite lucky to be living near the port of Aberdeen. My humans, who own a sturdy, hardworking team of horses like me, are often tasked with transporting goods to and from the port. Sometimes I would be harnessed alongside my brothers and sisters to pull massive wagons, each of us a key part of the engine that kept our town going. I've seen so many ships loaded with cargo, leaving the docks, ready to set sail for unknown lands. The air would be alive with the sound of cries and calls, the rhythmic creaking of the masts, the smell of salty brine and timber filling our nostrils.

I knew that our lives, and the work we did, helped create a strong sense of community in Aberdeen. There was a sense of mutual dependence - the sailors relied on us for safe and speedy delivery of supplies; the blacksmiths ensured our shoes were well fitted and strong, allowing us to tread over rugged paths without discomfort. We horses were integral to this fabric, the unseen hands keeping the city alive and well-nourished.

But that was only one aspect of it. Horses, in 870, were also the companions of warriors, their noble presence a reassuring presence in the fields of war. The sight of horses clad in gleaming armor, riders fierce and determined, had to be an intimidating one. It reminds me of stories about Charlemagne and his army of knights, a sight that commanded respect across Europe. Though it's not something I would wish for myself, knowing that my kind served such important purposes – even in times of war – gives me a certain sense of pride.

While the world in 870 may have seemed simple, it was still a world of immense diversity. From the rolling meadows of Ireland to the vineyards of France, and beyond to the frozen lands of Scandinavia, horses travelled, adapting to varied environments, forging relationships with diverse peoples.

Today, as I recall these times, I understand why those old humans revered the horses so much. They needed us for their livelihood, for their travels, for their very existence. We were their trusted partners, their strong, loyal companions, sharing a journey of life. It’s an understanding I hold dear, and it’s a message I try to convey to every foal I meet today – to cherish your bond with humans, understand their needs, and always treat them with gentleness. We’re partners, you see, not masters or servants, but companions in the journey we call life.

There's a reason we're called the noble steed, isn't there? The bond we share with humans is unique. It's built on trust, understanding, and shared experience. It's about understanding the delicate balance that exists between the strong and the agile, between power and compassion, between a world that runs on wheels and a world powered by hearts. It's a legacy that reminds me, with every passing day, that every gallop, every step, every whinny has its place in a much bigger story, a story that is not just about us horses, but about the delicate balance of a world where horses and humans walked, galloped, and breathed together, making the world a better, richer place for everyone.

Until next time, keep your hooves happy, and remember to treat your human companion with care and kindness, for they need us as much as we need them!

Emma