Hello, everyone! Emma here, from Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, and the heather is just beginning to bloom. The air smells fresh and the birds are singing their hearts out, what more could a horse ask for? Today, however, I’m feeling particularly reflective as I thought I'd take a little detour from our usual daily farm life and talk a bit about the year we're currently experiencing – the year 0985.
As I munch contentedly on a juicy blade of grass, I find myself pondering just how much has changed since I was born. I was a mere foal in the year 0965, so my memories are a bit hazy, but I do remember my mother talking about life in 0945 – just a generation ago!
My mother, you see, was one of those wise old horses that would spend her days listening to the older generations reminiscing about how things were “back in the good old days”. According to her, a great deal of change has happened even in just forty years!
Back then, most folks were still riding what they called “the Norse Horse,” a powerful breed bred for stamina, able to endure even the longest journeys and rugged terrains. They were also prized for their strength, used extensively to pull the “cruisin’ carriages” they called them - a form of transport favoured by many of the nobles who lived within the great castles.
While I am grateful for these carriages – as they bring us around Hayfield every now and again – they’re not as fast or efficient as some of the other ways we now travel. Take my neighbour, for instance. She was purchased last year from the famed Welsh valleys. Her people travelled all the way up from the south with their new carriage which can move so fast with the use of what they call a ‘wheel’, a circular wooden frame that allows for greater speed over the rough terrain. What a thing!
Oh, and before you start thinking all our lives are nothing but transport, that's not quite true. You see, in addition to pulling carriages, we are the backbone of every farm in Scotland! We plow fields, carry heavy burdens and transport goods to market, not to mention all the exciting tasks we undertake with our human companions! It’s quite an honour, and a duty I take very seriously.
The human with whom I share my life, Angus, is a kind and patient farmer, who has trained me to be one of the best working draught horses you've ever met. He is an amazing human, truly. Angus treats all the horses with respect and care, even those with different talents and personalities, ensuring they feel safe, loved, and well fed. What more could any of us ask for?
Oh, let’s not forget to mention the knights, our other equine brothers! They are noble beasts of beauty, powerful and courageous. These brave souls have played an integral role in shaping history in Scotland. The Vikings, as you may know, still try to cause chaos, and they certainly fear our noble knights! We often see them gallop through Hayfield, their shiny coats and flowing manes reflecting the sun. Every horse, no matter their lineage, looks up to these brave warriors. It's a truly wonderful sight!
Speaking of the Vikings, you know those great hulking warrior-kings with beards like furry animals? They often visit Scotland in their longships – ships with long narrow wooden planks. They have big oars to make them move, and look rather magnificent! They are a fearsome bunch – you’d think they’d be a fear to every horse, but truthfully we’re mostly amused by them! The Vikings are mostly focused on acquiring wealth and fame, with very little interest in our equine skills, unless you’re one of the “great beasts” – the massive breeds who carry so much weight. A couple of Viking leaders seem to prefer riding horses with large build – especially the sturdy steeds known as ‘Haflingers’, and these are popular with traders who like to carry extra cargo on their backs! They certainly are a strange breed but often friendly and playful when they visit.
Life in 0985 can be busy and challenging, but we also have moments of serenity and joy. It’s truly the life we know – hard work with a side of playfulness and lots of shared moments of laughter with the humans. We often hear whispers of distant lands with “even greater things” – of towering cities, and wondrous, beautiful gardens that bloom throughout the year. Some of the merchants, travelling the silk roads from Persia or beyond the great Himalayan mountain range – talk of even more astonishing creations – wheels that spin on metal roads called ‘roads of iron’! What marvels there are! While we toil under the blue skies of Scotland, some of our kind – especially the hardy ones – can be seen across great swathes of land. We hear they sometimes even live amongst these wonderful “iron roads” where there are no grass fields to nibble on! My heart aches at the thought of that. To be sure, though – that is why we work, day after day, providing strength and comfort to those around us.
The world in 0985, in many ways, is like our stable in Hayfield – an interwoven world where everyone and everything has a role. From our human companions to the valiant knights, from the Vikings who occasionally grace our pastures with their longboats and furry beards, to the small village of Hayfield nestled between rolling green hills and the great mountains, we are all connected in ways that we may never fully comprehend. This is our history, this is our legacy, and even though it might change from day to day, it's all beautiful in its own way!
So, next time you see a horse – whether it be in the fields, on the roads, or even on a dusty track under a distant sky – take a moment to appreciate this amazing animal, and all that it has brought to the world! We’ve helped humanity grow, we’ve stood beside them in moments of victory and defeat, and in our hearts, we will always be their steadfast companions. I have a feeling that the next few years will continue to be full of wonders, change, and beauty, and I can’t wait to share them all with you!
