Hello fellow horse-lovers! Emma here, your friendly grey draught mare from the heart of Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. Welcome to my Equiworld blog, where we journey through the history of horses together! Today we’re travelling back in time, all the way to 915 AD – a time when things were quite different for us horses, but exciting nonetheless!
Now, 915 wasn’t a year particularly marked in the annals of history for groundbreaking advancements in the world of horses. No fancy new saddles or revolutionary bits were invented that year, but it was still a time when we were truly indispensable to society. As a working horse, I'm drawn to the everyday tasks we took part in - the practicalities of life in those days, if you will!
In my little Hayfield, the heart of the year was, of course, centred around farming. The harvest was a whirlwind of activity. Imagine: fields of golden barley rippling under the sun, the air buzzing with the tireless toil of men and horses, all working in unison to bring in the bounty of the land. It was a time for everyone to pitch in, from the sturdy oxen hauling the heavy plough to the sleek horses like me, hauling carts loaded with fragrant hay and plump, golden grain.
I remember the thrill of a morning gallop through the crisp air, hauling a cart filled with grain to the nearby mill. My white mane and tail, flowing in the wind, seemed to dance in the sunlit meadows, reflecting the happiness in my heart. That crisp, fresh scent of straw always lingers fondly in my memories. It was a year filled with long days of toil, but also camaraderie amongst the horses – a kind of shared understanding that grew with every sunset.
In the early spring, we'd been working tirelessly on the land, our powerful legs and strong backs used to pull heavy plows, breaking the tough ground to sow the seeds for the year's harvest. The feeling of the damp, earthy soil beneath our hooves was a familiar comfort. I always find myself missing the smell of freshly turned earth in this day and age! We would often share these labours with the oxen, strong and reliable companions who helped us prepare the land for the bountiful crops to come. It was an honour to work alongside those gentle giants, who always had a reassuringly slow pace.
As the weather began to turn colder, the work changed too. Instead of ploughing, we pulled sledges loaded with wood for the winter fires. The air grew sharp, the nights dark, and the need for warmth even greater. It was hard work, yes, but it also held a certain warmth – knowing that every haul helped keep people cosy and safe through the harsh months. The clink of sleighbells on a frosty morning always fills me with a quiet joy, a reminder of those hard-working days.
Outside our small community, there were some momentous changes happening. The Vikings were becoming a real force to be reckoned with, a strong and powerful culture making their presence felt across Europe. The Vikings weren't all about raiding and pillaging, though. They were skilled seafarers and traders who used their trusty horses to navigate treacherous terrain. Our horsekind has been helping man explore the unknown since the beginning, you see.
That same year, 915, King Æthelstan took to the throne of England. His reign, lasting until 939, is often hailed as a significant period for uniting England. Interestingly, King Æthelstan was known for his love of horses – and a certain majestic white stallion named 'Gyrth'. Perhaps this explains why horses continued to play such an integral role in their societies, even amongst the powerful rulers of the day. The thought of such a magnificent beast, all white with a strong build, filled with pride, reminds me of my own magnificent grey frame.
The life of a working horse in 915 wasn’t always easy. Our diet was simple, our hooves toughened by the unforgiving terrain, and our days were long. But there was a certain pride in our work, in our ability to contribute to the survival and wellbeing of our human companions. The bond we had with them, forged in the sweat and toil of the fields, ran deep and true. This understanding of how horses and humans rely on each other seems so clear and real in that historical period.
But, for all the back-breaking labour, life was never boring. There were stories to share amongst our kind - whispers of a bold young stallion in the next village who could leap over the tallest fences, tales of old, wise geldings who knew every secret path in the vast woods, and memories of our wild ancestors who once roamed these very lands freely. It was the magic of storytelling that united us. Sometimes, a good story is all you need to make even the most tiring day worthwhile.
In our downtime, when not hauling carts, I remember our shared fun and games. Rolling on a patch of sun-drenched grass, nibbling on clover blossoms, the comforting familiarity of our herd… These small joys were vital to maintaining a strong bond and sense of family amongst the herd. And on quiet nights, we'd gather under the vast expanse of the night sky, the stars shimmering like diamonds scattered across the velvety canvas above us, sharing silent whispers of the wind and the secrets of the night. The quiet strength and harmony of the stars has always comforted me in any year.
Although it's a far cry from our comfortable stalls, regular grooming sessions and endless supply of treats nowadays, 915 reminds us that horses were an integral part of everyday life. Our role was vital. It’s a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of our species.
There is so much more to uncover from 915, from the Viking ships with horses onboard to the daily routines of farmers and families, but that’s all for today, dear Equiworlders! I hope you enjoyed our trip to the past. Let’s continue our journey through time together in future blog posts, as we discover the incredible story of horses and how our impact continues to shape our world.
Until then, happy trotting and stay tuned!
Emma Hayfield, Scotland 915 AD www.equiworld.org
