By: Emma, Grey Draught Mare
Good morning, fellow equines and horse-lovers! Today, I’m taking a step back in time, to the year 1000. As you all know, I love history and it feels like time flies when you’re living it, eh?
I, Emma, a grey draught mare with a white mane and tail, come from a wee village called Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. 1000 years ago, things were quite different. The year 1000 saw the world just emerging from a time of great change – a period they called the “Dark Ages,” which is rather unfair, if you ask me! There were some incredible advancements during that time, but people weren't so interested in writing things down, so much of the history was passed down by word of mouth. And sometimes, those stories, you know, get a little embellished!
Speaking of history, my dear readers, today marks a very special post - it’s my 1000th blog post for Equiworld.org! What a milestone, eh? When I started this blog, I had no idea it would grow into what it has. I simply wanted to share my love for horses, for learning about our history, and for exploring all the fascinating aspects of our wonderful equine world.
So, let's journey back a thousand years to see what horses like me were up to. Now, you might imagine horses were primarily used for riding back then, but you'd be surprised! It wasn't until about this time that knights started really making riding and fighting on horseback the "thing" it eventually became. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a good gallop across a field – and a few apples on the way, of course – but riding was more for the elite then. For us draught horses, we were the backbone of life, the working muscles.
The Life of a Draught Horse
You see, a lot of folks still believed that riding a horse was just for men – and sometimes that even included knights. Can you imagine that?! A true lady would only ride if they were carrying an important cargo or in a grand parade. But us working horses? We were truly part of every day life for every man, woman, and child!
My main job was to pull a heavy cart, whether it was for hauling timber from the forest, delivering food from the local farmer’s market, or ferrying people and goods to other villages. Sometimes we’d work as a team, and I have to say, there's something special about being part of a working team of horses, sharing the weight of a task, sharing the joy of rest.
The life of a draught horse wasn't always easy. We worked hard and often without much fuss. The weather could be harsh, the roads rough, and our diet simple. But it was honest work, and we were a vital part of the community. It’s probably because of us, my dear friends, that many people and towns even thrived at all. And that makes us pretty important!
Our Home - Hayfield
I was born in Hayfield, a beautiful spot in the heart of Scotland. We’re close enough to the rolling fields to give us good grazing for our powerful bodies. You see, draught horses, like myself, are a powerful breed – bred for strength and hard work, which is how we earned our name! My parents had to work hard to provide for our family, especially my sisters and I - my father used to work hauling stones for the many castles and homes nearby. A tiring, but vital, job! We’ve always had the advantage of good soil and plenty of open fields. This allows us to eat enough and be able to do all those hard chores the people need us for.
Life in Hayfield in the year 1000 was simpler, more closely connected to nature's rhythm. It was a close community of farmers and their families, where neighbours knew each other, and relied upon each other for their needs. We horses, of course, were at the heart of it all. The local blacksmith would tend to our hooves, our farmers gave us the best food they could spare, and they always remembered to look after us - because, after all, without us, they wouldn't be able to function!
A Time of Progress
This year 1000 wasn’t just about heavy work and simple living. It was actually quite a time of progress in our world! Sure, in some areas people may have lived in the shadow of their history and lived as they always had, but others were exploring new ways of life. People were starting to travel further than their villages - even outside of Scotland - and this meant us horses had to work even harder to transport their supplies!
I must say that the Vikings did a great job of navigating these treacherous waters, and some of their journeys were simply inspiring! Not all Vikings were warriors, you know. Many were farmers, artisans, and explorers. I’ve heard many tales of them sailing all the way to Russia, even as far away as the Great Lakes in America.
All this new exploring, and travelling made us draught horses invaluable. We brought supplies to new trade posts, helped set up farms in new areas and - you'll never guess - we even brought back incredible goods! People were so impressed by spices, fabrics, and even the metal work, furniture, and glassware brought back by Viking traders that it helped set up trade networks throughout the land. You can thank the horses for making sure these things got to where they needed to go!
The Importance of Community
This era may have been marked by Vikings, explorers, and knights - but I like to focus on what matters the most to us: community. It’s something that really hasn't changed in all these years, you know? Our lives were simple, but rich in camaraderie and the knowledge that we were making a difference in the world. We may have pulled carts and helped till the fields, but we also provided comfort and company to those who worked alongside us.
One of my most treasured memories of those days was from a trip to the market with my farmer. You see, even we horses would take a day out for some fun sometimes! I was hauling a load of grain, something I'd become accustomed to, when a band of travelling musicians approached my cart. I always loved music. They started playing their instruments, their joyful tunes filling the air. I swayed along, my hooves tapping out the rhythm, my whole body relaxing. I swear I saw the humans smile, too! That memory made my whole day – in fact, I'm happy to share that with all of you, and remember all of those fun memories whenever I go out into the world, now.
A Thousand Years, A Thousand Lessons
So, dear readers, that's what life was like for horses in the year 1000. A life full of hard work, but also a life filled with camaraderie, purpose, and love. We horses are truly blessed to be a part of your lives - whether you ride us, work alongside us, or just admire us from a distance. We were a symbol of strength, resilience, and hope in a time of change, much like our horses today.
What lessons can we learn from the horses of the year 1000? Perhaps we can learn the importance of teamwork, the beauty of hard work, the need for simple pleasures, and above all, the enduring bond between human and horse.
The Legacy Lives On
Horses have a unique place in history. We have served mankind for millennia, evolving alongside them. And while our roles have shifted over the centuries, our strength and companionship remain a timeless contribution to the human experience. We may be able to work as a team, pull plows, haul wagons, race across fields and mountains, but our hearts beat as one with you - our connection to you goes far beyond the needs of the world.
Until next time, stay well and keep learning about the rich and ever-changing history of horses. And remember, as I've learned in a thousand years of being a horse - community matters, hard work is rewarding, and the journey of learning about each other's history never ends.
