Hello fellow equines and horsey enthusiasts! Emma here, your favourite grey mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen, back with another peek into history! Today we're stepping back in time to the year 878 - a year that saw lots of change and a few exciting things in the world of horses, believe it or not!
I can't help but feel a bit of kinship with those horses from 878 - there’s a shared history in the soil of our feet. Just imagine the moors of Hayfield back then, full of heather and wild grasses. It’s almost poetic, wouldn't you say?
Back in 878, a bit further south, they were talking about “Viking Horses,” those sturdy creatures strong enough to haul the longships and hardy enough for the wild seas of the north. I imagine these were the kind of horses they used in battle, strong and brave. There's a certain romance, isn't there, to horses playing such a vital role in history, like charging across battlefields, carrying heroes into action?
Now, while I love my peaceful life here in Hayfield, working the fields, my friends tell tales of their ancestors in those wilder times. I know it wouldn't be for me, but they always make the life of a Viking Horse sound exciting! Maybe it's the stories of faraway lands, maybe it's the idea of galloping side-by-side with valiant knights… there’s definitely a spark of adventurous spirit in every horse.
The thing is, back then, horses weren't just for riding or working. Imagine a time where you were as valuable as a sheep or a cow, providing food and essential items like milk, meat, and even wool! Isn't that amazing? Those horses were like members of the family - a part of their lives in every way.
They even used horse hair to make string for their weaving. And those beautiful woven mats they used to sleep on - probably woven using string made from the manes and tails of horses, too. The lives of horses were truly interwoven with those of people, and that brings a warm feeling to my heart, even when you think about how hard their lives must have been.
In those days, just like us today, horses would have been needed to pull ploughs, haul timber and carry people - it was essential work. Even the carts used for travel would be pulled by the hard work of horses, not to mention helping to create the beautiful tapestry of their society with their hides used for clothes and their hooves turned into combs!
This brings me to something fascinating about 878: it was a time when people started looking for bigger horses! Bigger, stronger horses that could do more work. A demand for horses that could move large quantities of goods, like trade, was starting to take hold in many countries, and these horses played a significant role in that development.
Back in Hayfield, our horses may not have been as large, but we still had a vital role to play. Think of all the horses like us that would have been pulling carts, carrying produce and goods between towns. You know, transporting grain to bake bread, wool to make clothing - essential to the communities around us!
It’s fascinating how our ancestors played such a crucial part in people's lives, their needs and livelihoods. This year marked a shift towards something bigger, stronger. But don't forget, even smaller horses like myself play a significant role in the world!
Don't you just feel a sense of connection with the horses of that time, though? That feeling that we all belong to one big family, each carrying the weight of history on our hooves?
And while things were different, and we now live in a world of saddles and riding boots, I bet those horses of 878 had just as much spirit as us. We might not be called upon to charge into battle or travel the wild seas anymore, but there is a sense of nobility and strength in every horse, regardless of the era.
This year has a special place in my heart. It marks the year I started this blog, trying to connect with all you amazing equine enthusiasts out there and share the magic of horse history. Let's celebrate those horses who came before us, their hard work, and their contribution to making the world we know today. It's not just about our strength, it's about the legacy we build together.
Don't forget to leave a comment and share your thoughts on the history of horses in 878! Until next time, neigh-sayers!
-Emma
