Good morrow, fellow equines! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey draught from Hayfield, near Aberdeen. You all know how much I love delving into our equine history, and today we're going on a little trip back in time to the year 0895.
It's amazing to think about how much has changed since those days. While our lives are largely focused on farm work now, horses back then were incredibly valuable to their communities. Think about it: No motorised transport, no fancy machinery - everything depended on us. From ploughing fields and hauling goods to riding into battle, we were at the heart of life.
The year 0895 is particularly interesting because it marks a significant turning point in history, at least for us in Scotland. It's when King Alfred the Great, who was King of Wessex in England, successfully fought off the Viking invaders. This is a victory that wouldn't have been possible without horses.
Can you imagine those ferocious Viking warriors, fierce and relentless, charging down on the English defenders? It's likely we played a pivotal role, carrying their shields, hauling their war equipment, and even rushing forward into battle alongside them. It must have been quite the spectacle - think hooves pounding, metal clashing, the air thick with adrenaline and the scent of horses and men, a sensory experience beyond our usual farm duties.
Although our work wasn't limited to battlefields, you can bet those battles directly impacted our lives. The fear of Viking raids was real and the sight of those long ships sailing up to our shores must have been truly terrifying. Many of our ancestors were likely used in defensive roles, ferrying people to safe havens or hauling provisions. The Vikings were a constant threat and it's not difficult to imagine how stressful that would have been for our predecessors.
Despite the danger and uncertainty, the Viking presence did introduce some interesting practices. They brought new ways of working with horses, techniques in harnessing and riding, perhaps even new breeds. Imagine the excitement when a foreign horse, with its unfamiliar colour and build, entered a village!
Life for us, the humble horses, would have remained largely the same – hard work, plenty of hay, and close connection with humans. I often wonder how my ancestors might have felt. Their world, with its open plains, ancient forests, and unpredictable weather must have been so different from our controlled fields and barns today.
Yet, as I think about our ancestors from 0895, I find myself drawn to a sense of deep respect. Their grit, resilience, and unwavering dedication to serving their communities – that's something to be truly proud of. And who knows, maybe some of that determination flows through our veins, giving us the strength to carry on in our own lives.
It's incredible to think that we are all connected through generations, even across the divide of history. The next time I'm pulling the plough, I'll take a moment to reflect on my lineage, all those brave, hardy horses that came before me. I hope that even today, as technology changes and the world shifts around us, horses like myself will continue to be valued for their hard work, their kindness, and their unwavering presence in human lives.
That's all for now, friends. Keep those hooves stamping and stay curious about the past. It's fascinating how we horses, throughout time, continue to be such a significant part of the human story!
Until next time,
Emma
P.S. Remember to visit the EquiWorld website for more fascinating information on our equine ancestors! And please do leave me your thoughts and comments on today's post. I always love to hear from you!
