History of Horses in the year 0949

EquiWorld.org: Blog Post #949 - 0949 AD: A Grey Mare's View

Neigh-day, fellow equines!

It's Emma here, your trusty guide to the world of horses through the ages. As you all know, I'm a grey draught mare, 20 years strong, with a mane and tail that would rival the snow on Ben Nevis itself. I live in Hayfield, a bustling little village near Aberdeen in Scotland. Though some might think of it as just a horse in the countryside, I reckon there's a whole lot happening around these parts, even in the year 0949. And trust me, my hooves know a thing or two about the lives of horses!

Now, this year is interesting - a whole lot going on, much like a busy day at the hayfield, actually. We’re seeing quite a lot of excitement around the continent. I can’t go too far myself, my responsibilities lie here in Hayfield. However, with the gossip and news carried by the merchants and travelers who visit our stables, it’s enough to fill my head with tales as thick as a porridge bowl.

The folks down south in England are really making waves with their breeding program, producing hefty steeds known as "War Horses." Those chaps are bred to carry knights in heavy armor, imagine that! Seems like an awkward fit to me, all that metal strapped onto your back, but the stories are that these knights can really make those war horses fly! The whole country is buzzing about it – imagine being the proud, strong heart of their army, I can’t help but be envious!

Then there’s the mighty Charlemagne over in the Frankish kingdom. That chap has built a reputation for riding into battle himself, something not all leaders fancy. Talk about bravery! He’s known to ride a fiery red stallion called Bayard. You can almost feel the power radiating off him through these tales!

Here in the north, it’s a different story. We're used to colder, harsher weather and spend a lot of time pulling plows and wagons. For us, the Vikings have become the name whispered in hushed tones over the campfire. They arrive in longboats with fearsome axes and a fierce gleam in their eyes. Though their horses, sturdy ponies adapted to this wild climate, are no slouches, either! You could never mistake a Viking horse for anything else. I’ve only ever glimpsed one on the docks of Aberdeen and it seemed as wild as the sea itself.

There’s also plenty going on here in Hayfield. My current task, you ask? Pulling the farmer’s wagon to the local market, where we exchange goods for supplies. From my vantage point, pulling the heavy load over the bumpy roads, I see everyone come and go. We get visitors from all walks of life – folks selling linens, merchants carrying spices from distant lands, and even travelers with fascinating stories of foreign cultures. We horses provide the strength that keeps the wheels of our local community turning, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s the work we were made for, after all.

As a draught mare, I am an important part of the community. I see firsthand the work that horses put in to sustain the people. The strength we bring to the task of pulling and hauling is more valuable than the gold of distant lands. I am no war horse, my destiny lies in these fields. Every morning, I wake up knowing I will bring comfort and benefit to the village. That thought makes my heart sing, even more than a bowl of oats could ever do!

Life here is a constant hustle and bustle. There are the stablehands who keep us well-fed and clean, ensuring we remain healthy. They give us baths, brush us down, and see to it that we have a comfortable bed of straw at night. Oh, how I love those soft shavings and the quiet rustle of straw. These caring hands make the hard work all worth it.

We horses love our humans, though they might not understand the things that we truly feel. It's the small, gentle gestures, a soothing pat on the neck, or the careful touch of a bit, that make them so special. In their hands, we find trust, a bond so strong it stretches across the centuries. And these humans, these strong but gentle beings, they are the keepers of our legacy. They keep the memory of the horses that came before alive, the legends of speed and power, strength and grace, all etched into our beings.

What else is new in the horse world? Ah yes, new techniques and traditions keep surfacing like a fresh stream bubbling forth. This year, a young stable hand, a kind girl named Moira, has brought a new idea to Hayfield: we now wear metal shoes for protection! No more nails being pounded into our hooves every few weeks. I must say, this new shoe feels quite nice, giving me better traction on those rough, uneven roads. Though I'm getting on in age, it gives my hooves the protection they need. Moira, a true horse enthusiast, always strives to improve our comfort and safety, always a smile lighting up her face as she goes about her work.

Now, even though I can’t see the whole picture, I can’t help but think about all the stories we’ll be part of. Those stories of the horses of the world in 0949! Whether they be the war horses galloping across battlefields, the hardworking steeds that carry merchants, the gentle souls who work alongside farmers, or even those ponies bravely enduring the cold with the Vikings! Our impact will be felt in every corner of the globe, even for those of us, like myself, who spend their days peacefully pulling plows and carts in a small village like Hayfield.

I have a feeling that history is being written right now, in the wind as it whispers over the meadows, in the sweat dripping from my brow, in the strength I feel coursing through my legs. Every moment is a new adventure. And maybe, just maybe, if you listen closely enough, you can hear our neigh, the call of the wild, echoing through time itself.

See you all in EquiWorld next time!

Yours neigh-bourly, Emma

History of Horses in the year 0949