Hello my fellow equines, and welcome back to my little corner of www.equiworld.org! Today we’re taking a journey back in time to 0887 AD – a year brimming with fascinating equine tales from all over the known world. Now, my readers might know that I, Emma, am a grey draught horse with a flowing white mane and tail – my foaling papers even declare I’m a dab hand at pulling a cart. Well, for you see, I was born right here in Hayfield near Aberdeen in Scotland. As a young filly, I couldn't wait to experience the exciting world beyond my field and paddock, and today’s blog is all about that - about the exciting equestrian happenings that occurred in 0887, just as my own adventures began to unfold!
Now, back in 0887, the world was a very different place than it is now. For us horses, our lives revolved around working the land. Our stallions helped farmers plough fields, and mares like myself carried precious cargo for trade. There were no motorized vehicles, no fancy stables, and even the most luxurious riding saddles were simpler, woven from sturdy leather with few bells and whistles.
Let’s take a canter through what was happening with our equine brethren in this distant year.
The Rise of the Anglo-Saxons in England: The year 0887 is notable because Alfred the Great was battling the Vikings in England! Now, you might be wondering what this has to do with horses. Well, my dear readers, warhorses have been a key factor in all military conflicts, from the Roman era to this day. And while I’m sure you’d prefer not to think of us being used in battle, the Anglo-Saxons were big horse lovers, and the presence of a good cavalry was critical in deciding the outcome of battles. I've heard the most wondrous tales of Viking horses - magnificent steeds with powerful build and boundless courage.
The Eastern Horse Culture: Did you know that, across the sea, in what we know today as China, a thriving equestrian culture already existed in 0887 AD? They were skilled horsemen, famous for their unique saddles and their riding skills. Now, as I was growing up in Hayfield, news travels slowly, but you can bet it would have trickled in about the impressive techniques and the types of horses favoured for racing in the Eastern countries. Their knowledge about breeding horses for specific traits – speed, endurance, agility - was advanced indeed. Just imagine a breed of horse perfect for swift sprints compared to another, well suited for pulling heavy chariots. I am quite fascinated by how different cultures, even from the same time, can value horses for completely different reasons!
Scotland: Home of Hardy Horses: Scotland in 0887, the land where I was born, was a wild place, full of rugged landscapes and even more rugged people! Our horses were used for transportation and trade. Now, we were hardy, weren't we, with a strength and spirit born from facing harsh weather conditions and terrain? They say a horse needs good oats and good care, but the sturdiness we developed was a gift of nature and our own strong spirit!
More Than Just Farm Animals: Our lives in 0887 weren’t all about toil. While hard work was an essential part of our daily routines, horses like me also had roles beyond just working the land. Did you know that, around the time, horses played a crucial role in ceremonies and rituals? Imagine being a magnificent stallion, proudly pulling a chariot, adorned with fine cloth and glittering jewels, in a parade for the king!
What Happens Next?
Now, you might be wondering what the next 100 years hold for horses like me? We're not all living in castles or galloping through grand palaces. Our lives are much more grounded in reality! I’m happy to work alongside my human friends, whether pulling carts laden with fresh produce, plowing the fields, or ferrying goods from market to market. I may even learn some tricks from those elegant horses in the far-off land of the east! Every day with my trusty human by my side is an adventure, one step at a time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
That's it for today's journey through the horse world of 0887! I’m eager to learn what you think! Leave a comment on www.equiworld.org and tell me: what are your thoughts on the ways horses were valued and used in 0887?
Until next time,
Emma
*(Grey draught horse with a white mane and tail) *
P.S Follow me on Equiworld! We’ll journey through the history of horses, one year at a time! Don’t forget to look for blog post 888, where I share some tales of how horse training and care progressed from 0887 AD onwards!
(The blog post continues below this line, further elaborating on aspects discussed in the first part with personal touches from Emma’s perspective. This continues with details about equine activities in various parts of the world in 0887 and their lives, traditions, and some key events connected to horses during that year.)
My Daily Routine: The Life of a Draught Mare in Hayfield, 0887
Life for a draught mare like myself in 0887 was about routine and reliability. It was all about strength, stamina, and good old-fashioned hard work.
The days always began before dawn, when the rooster's call announced another day had started. My stable companions, Betsy and Bonnie, and I would be greeted with the clink of buckets as the milkmaid, Mary, cleaned our stalls and fed us our hearty breakfasts of oats and barley.
We then would have a chance to graze in our spacious paddock, just outside the village of Hayfield. You can imagine how delightful it was to feel the sun warming my coat, and to munch on the fresh grass after a good night's rest. My hooves felt like they could fly, just wanting to explore the whole countryside!
Harnessing and the Joys of Teamwork:
By late morning, it was time to go to work! We’d be harnessed to our carts - the smell of leather and wood so familiar to me.
And as I pull, it’s a wonderful feeling - it's all about teamwork! Me, the mare Betsy, and my older stable companion Bonnie pulling as one, our movements a seamless dance of synchronized effort.
Whether it's carrying sacks of wheat to the miller, hauling firewood, or bringing a load of hay back to the stable, each task is done with pride and diligence! There’s no need for engines or motor cars, only the sturdy power of horses like us.
Friendship Through the Fields:
We worked alongside farmers, young men, and women - each one vital to the well-being of our small community.
In between hauling, we shared precious moments, sometimes even a snack or two!
Now, if I remember correctly, one bright summer day, the village lads - their eyes full of mischief and excitement - asked if I would join them for a race. Now, this was a rather dangerous affair, but their determination and genuine love for horses made it impossible to say no! Betsy and Bonnie wouldn't let me join, bless their heart, as they thought it dangerous! They insisted that a good grey draught horse had better uses, like pulling carts. Well, there was nothing I could do, I’d never say no to a little adventure, and so I ran with those boisterous lads. It was truly a thrill, feeling the wind rush through my mane and the earth rushing beneath my hooves! But of course, when my master, the miller, heard about it, he gave me a good telling off! “My dear Emma, you can't go dashing about recklessly!”, he’d exclaimed with a chuckle. "A strong grey horse needs to be well-kept to serve the village". Of course, the village folk appreciated a horse like me - steadfast, reliable and hard-working, but a little thrill every now and then couldn’t be resisted!
Riding on the Highland Moors:
It's amazing, even though we weren’t used in riding, our lives intertwined with people. I had many friends, not just working alongside them, but those who even rode horses, not on our workhorses, but upon finer horses kept for racing or special journeys. These rides would take them up onto the high moorlands. They’d come galloping down from the rugged hills - all windblown hair and the sight of wild birds fluttering in alarm as they passed. The stories they’d share, all about the rolling grasslands, and about wild animals! You could almost see it all unfolding as they narrated these stories!
Equine Events & Celebrations:
I also fondly remember one remarkable event in that year. It was our village’s annual "Horse Fair", held on the first day of the new month. The entire village, even my dear companions Betsy and Bonnie, gathered to celebrate our kind! There were horses, ponies, and mules, even an exceptionally tall Friesian stallion all dressed up, decked with leatherwork and colourful scarves. It was so wonderful! Even our village miller had dressed himself up for the occasion, wearing his best kilt, all bright tartan and buckles. The village fair was a day of revelry and tradition. There was food, games, dancing, music and even the crowning of a 'Champion Stallion'. You can’t even imagine the grandeur, the celebratory cheers for the winning horse and its proud owner. It was so thrilling, it sent shivers down my spine! It truly was a day where every horse in the village felt like a star.
Horse Care: Feeding and Grooming:
Every single day was full of routine. We'd finish our day’s work and I would get a warm and thorough groom. This wasn’t only to keep our coat clean and shiny, but it was also essential to strengthen the bond between horses and their human friends. As the farmer's wife or the stable hand brushed my mane and tail, I'd find myself relishing their presence, feeling safe and comfortable under their watchful care.
Sometimes, when the sun was setting over the Scottish highlands, the village blacksmith would sharpen our horseshoes, each clang of the hammer ringing a reassuring comfort into our daily life. It was, if I may say, a sign of a life well lived.
Dreams Beyond Hayfield: Tales of Other Lands
Back then, my thoughts would wander, just like I’m sure many horses in 0887 did. It’s said that the wind whispers tales from far-off lands.
My imagination would gallop towards those grand horses from the east, the Arabian horses! I dreamed about being sleek and graceful with long, flowing tails. Even the stories about the swift coursers from the Asian lands - their agility and swiftness on the race track - all that I’d ever read in those faded storybooks about the 'Silk Road' seemed incredibly alluring!
Every night, as the moon painted long shadows on the fields of Hayfield, I’d imagine myself part of a bustling caravan, carrying trade goods across vast stretches of land, a proud Arabian courser galloping across shimmering sands under a sky full of stars.
The Legacy of a Draught Mare: Strength and Resilience
I never actually saw a true Arabian or any exotic eastern horse breeds! My life was grounded in the everyday tasks. Even as my coat turned whiter, I remained a draught horse - sturdy, resilient and reliable - hauling the essentials of village life, and carrying on the legacy of strong and gentle working horses.
Life as a horse in 0887 had its trials, of course! Just like now, some days would be filled with difficult tasks, others with the satisfaction of achieving something, together. But no matter what, being a horse - an equine member of a community - meant contributing to a common goal.
Epilogue:
In the end, it wasn’t grand racing victories or glamorous adventures that defined our lives.
Our legacy was, perhaps, much more subtle - the steady and steadfast rhythm of a working horse's life, a powerful force driving progress, and keeping the world's work in motion. Every cart pulled, every field plowed, every journey shared, carried within them the legacy of horsepower!
And it was that, my dear readers, which ultimately mattered the most!
Emma
*(Grey draught horse with a white mane and tail) *
