Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland, 0928 AD
Greetings, fellow equine enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your trusty grey draught mare, coming to you from the windswept fields of Scotland. The wind has a bite to it this morning, the way it does this time of year before the snow comes in, but the sun's peeking through the clouds, and my breakfast of oats and barley has settled nicely in my belly. So, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on what it's like to be a horse in the year 0928 AD.
First, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I'm twenty years old now, strong and sturdy, with a glossy grey coat, a white mane and tail that the lads in the village swear looks like spun silk, and a spirit as bright as the stars above. I work with a kind old farmer named Gregor. He doesn't demand a lot, which is a good thing. You know how some people just try to push us to our limit? Not Gregor. He understands the language of horses.
I'm a draught horse, and it's in my blood to pull. Gregor keeps me busy all day, working the fields, pulling the plough, and helping bring in the harvest. I'm strong enough to carry quite a load as well, if need be. You see, back in those days, we horses were the engines of the world, you might say. Without us, these people wouldn't get anywhere.
A Busy World For Horses
Oh, how times have changed! Just thinking about it makes my heart swell with pride. My granddad, he was born just before the Romans arrived, he used to tell stories about the world back then. Apparently, things were very different, far less organized. Fewer farms, fewer fields, smaller villages...
Then came the Romans, a clever lot those Romans, bringing new ways to farm and travel. My granddad even spoke of large chariots drawn by several horses - a real spectacle! Can you imagine pulling one of those beauties through the countryside? He'd look down at his hooves and whisper "We are powerful creatures, Emma. Remember that."
These days, even though I'm a bit older and less fancy than a Roman chariot horse, life is far more settled, thanks to their influence. Our skills are honed, our strength appreciated. We're part of a system that helps communities thrive, growing the food and keeping the markets supplied. It's not all hard work, though. Every Sunday, Gregor brings me to the village square for the market. There's a bustle of activity – people buying and selling everything from livestock to cloth to freshly baked bread. It's an occasion for horses too – we’re allowed to graze peacefully in the field while we listen to the cheerful chatter and catch up on all the village gossip.
A Horse’s World of Travel and Discovery
But the best thing about being a horse? The journey! You know how every once in a while, I travel with Gregor to the nearby town? Aberdeen's a lively place, teeming with life, horses, and people. You get the most delicious scents: sweet pastry from bakeries, spices from faraway lands, and fresh hay, my favourite. There are people, carriages, donkeys, cows, and all sorts of horses coming and going. I’ve seen sturdy war horses, their necks high and proud, carrying proud knights, with coats of mail gleaming in the sun. Then there are sleek Arabian horses, their elegant lines, sharp features and spirited eyes telling a story of desert sands and nomadic peoples. We even encountered horses that could carry riders right over treacherous mountains! What stories they had to tell…
The travel, though tiring at times, expands my mind and fills my soul. Every journey is an adventure. Every town, every village, has a story to tell. There's something about seeing new sights, hearing new sounds, and smelling the air from faraway lands that reminds me how vast and wonderful the world is. Even though life is busy and hard, these little moments make it all worthwhile.
Life, Death, and the Circle of Life
Now, I haven’t always felt this way. There was a time when my world felt smaller. My herd was my family. We grazed together, protected each other from predators, and looked after our young. When my first foal, a handsome little grey mare, was born, I swore I’d never leave the meadow, never let anyone separate us.
I’m glad I’ve come to see the world from outside that herd. It’s a hard reality, but I’ve seen foals taken away, injured and lost to the elements. It’s the way of nature, I know. Yet, it makes me appreciate my life, Gregor's kindness, and the companionship I find with him.
And, it’s all thanks to horses, you see. Even though we face harsh winters and difficult work, the fact that we share a common bond is powerful. The men of the villages rely on us to travel far and wide, trade with other kingdoms, even to transport soldiers. In war, we are mighty steeds, bearing the burden of fighting, defending their home.
These horses, you see, are more than just animals, they are companions, partners. They are symbols of strength, endurance, and freedom. That’s what keeps us going, that's the legacy that binds us all together. And when my time comes, I will join my ancestors in that great meadow of the sky, content that I have played my part in shaping this world, however small it might seem.
From Hayfield to the Wider World
We're living in exciting times, even though we might not always see it from our small field in Scotland. In these times of new knowledge and expanding trade, I believe horses have an even greater future ahead.
I’ll be sure to share more of my thoughts about our world, about this great era of discovery, in my next post. Do tell me, fellow equines, what are some of your observations about the world today? Have things changed for you in these past years? Let's share stories and learn from one another.
Until next time, keep your hooves high and your spirits bright!
Emma, The Grey Mare
