A Grey Mare's Tale: From Hayfield to…
Hello, my fellow equines, and welcome to another installment of my historical musings! Today, I'm taking a little trip back in time, to the year 0988 AD. I'm Emma, a grey draught mare with a white mane and tail, living my life as a farm horse here in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland. Now, 0988 might seem a very long time ago, even to us horses. I hear the older, wise stallions still talk about times when there were even more of us roaming the land than today!
Anyway, I thought I'd share some of what's going on in the world of horses this year, as seen through the eyes of a working mare like me. It’s always fun to remember where we come from and what we’ve been through, so we can appreciate the freedoms we have today!
Horses & Society:
Things seem to be going well in my part of the world. There are still plenty of working horses - you can’t build or transport things without us, that much is certain. But there are also more steeds being kept for riding than I recall. The noblemen around these parts are taking to these noble creatures, even more than before. The Scots and English love their hunting parties, you know, and there is more racing going on in the south, particularly at Chester, where I’ve heard stories about magnificent Arabian steeds running in grand tournaments!
Work, Work, Work:
Like I said, there’s a lot of work to be done. My job mainly involves carting barley from the fields to the mill. A bit of a repetitive existence, but a good one for the heart and strong muscles. It makes me proud to play a role in ensuring there’s bread for everyone. Though I'll admit, I can sometimes get envious of those magnificent chargers in the stables of the big, rich families who never have to haul such heavy loads. But hey, we each have our role, and my strong, steady trot is definitely a valuable one!
Horse Care and Grooming:
Luckily, our owner is a good man. He treats us well. He makes sure we’re fed enough oats and barley and kept safe and sheltered from the cold Scottish weather. The occasional scrub is a treat. Though it's true some folks don't always know how to care for a horse - even today, you still find some who believe beating is the only way to make us go faster or listen better. Sigh We need to learn to assert our strength and speak out, or be heard, to those who would treat us badly! I can only hope, dear friends, that one day everyone understands horses better!
On the Roads and Tracks:
The big change I've witnessed since I was a young filly, is how much travel is growing. There are so many more people going places these days, especially with the use of saddles and stirrups. We even heard rumours that some brave souls dare to ride our sturdy kind across rivers and mountains - just imagine! I, of course, have no ambitions to travel far beyond Hayfield and the mill, I’m quite happy here, but it does make me wonder where all these adventures might lead...
The Monks' Devotion:
You know, even the monks and priests rely heavily on horses. There are still those old religious orders who prefer the company of animals, the humble equine, you might say. We're seen as a sign of strength and devotion, and the men and women who serve God seem to hold horses in particularly high esteem. It’s inspiring, really. Perhaps, deep down, I yearn for something more too – something to do with serving a greater purpose…
Horseback Combat:
Now, you can't discuss horses in the 900s without touching on the subject of warfare. Those glorious knights clad in armour, wielding swords atop magnificent chargers. Sadly, war is something that doesn’t leave horses unharmed, but, I hear from the travelling merchants and travelling musicians, the wars in these parts are lessening. I hope that the peace and understanding grow for us horses as well!
Conclusion:
There you have it - my snapshot of horse life in the year 0988 AD! It might not seem like a glamorous existence, but I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Stay tuned for more of my historical journey, dear readers! I might share more about how I, or rather, my ancestors, lived in the years before… Or maybe I'll discuss what life was like for horses in warmer climates! The history of horses is so vast, and so exciting, and I'll do my best to keep sharing it with you.
