Hello there, fellow equine enthusiasts! It’s Emma here, a grey draught mare from Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen. I’m excited to share my journey with you today, specifically a glimpse into what life was like for us horses back in the year 953. I know, it sounds like ancient history, right? Well, trust me, there’s plenty going on in the world of horses even that long ago.
I’m 20 years old, with a white mane and tail, and my life revolves around the farm. Each morning, the gentle clinking of harness and the rustle of oats wake me up. I feel the familiar pressure of the yoke on my neck, the familiar tug of the plow against the soil. I might spend the day hauling hay, carrying goods, or even transporting the children to school. My life is about work and purpose. We horses are part of the very fabric of the community here, supporting livelihoods and contributing to daily life.
Life for us is simpler than that of the horses you might see pulling carriages through the streets of London or Winchester. Our world is centered around Hayfield, a small village nestled amongst the rolling hills of Scotland. We are not yet used for sport or leisure like some of our lucky brethren further south. We are the workhorses, the dependable creatures upon which our local community relies.
Speaking of London, this year the young King Eadwig is taking the throne at the tender age of 16. I heard through the grapevine, as you might say, that he has a love for horses and spends quite a bit of time riding and training them. I wonder if there’s a new royal stud in the works?
It’s quite a busy year for our local community too. The Lord of the Manor has sent a delegation of us, a sturdy band of draught horses, down to Aberdeen for the great annual market. It’s a joyous occasion, the streets filled with crowds of people, a cacophony of laughter and shouts, and a symphony of horse hooves on cobbles. We are tasked with carrying goods, bringing wares from the north of the country to sell in the market. We witness a veritable cornucopia of goods; wool, cloth, grain, iron, even fish and dairy. The air itself is thick with the aromas of spices, woodsmoke and the scent of horses and cattle. It's truly an exciting and stimulating experience.
While the market brings about great excitement, it’s important to acknowledge the work that goes into it. Each horse is painstakingly groomed and outfitted with their finest harness. We have teams of grooms tending to our coats and ensuring our hooves are healthy. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it makes us feel a real sense of pride.
The journey is quite a challenge, a constant procession of clanging bells, neighs and the rhythm of horse hooves on the road. The miles are long and tiring, but we help one another, taking breaks and sharing the load when needed. Our bonds are stronger than the steel of the plows we pull, and we are a source of strength for each other. There is nothing quite as comforting as the feeling of belonging, and sharing this journey strengthens those bonds we share as horses.
Speaking of strength, it is truly fascinating how our strength is being harnessed in new ways. My fellow horses tell stories of mighty men across the seas, using horses to propel giant war chariots and even using them in tournaments to battle for glory. These stories fascinate me; I often find myself dreaming of charging across the fields, hooves thundering, carrying a warrior into battle.
But my life, right now, is about simpler things: a good breakfast of oats and hay, a hard day’s work in the fields, and the warmth of my stablemates. We enjoy the gentle company of each other in the evening. There’s no better sound in the world than the rhythmic munching of hay as we rest.
Though our lives are far from extravagant, it is full of purpose and meaning. Our efforts bring about bounty to our local community, and I take immense pride in our work. This time period may seem so very long ago, but we horses continue to play a crucial part in life and I, for one, wouldn’t have it any other way.
And finally, just to end this blog on a positive note, remember to appreciate the little things in life, from a fresh bale of hay, a gentle stroke of the brush, to a shared laugh with your stable mates. Be strong, my friends, and cherish the simple things that make up life.
See you in my next post, my friends! Keep your hooves on the ground and your hearts open to the wonder that surrounds us.
