Hello, fellow equine enthusiasts! Welcome back to Emma’s EquiWorld, your one-stop shop for all things horsey from a mare’s perspective! It’s Emma here, a spirited grey draught mare with a love for exploring the past. Today, I'm whisking you all the way back to the year 1016! Can you believe it? Nearly a millennium ago! Let's dive in, shall we?
The sun is shining on the rolling green hills around Hayfield, a little village near Aberdeen, where I call home. I’m just twenty years old, still in the prime of my life, and feeling incredibly sprightly despite a recent foal season spent with the youngsters (you’d think those tiny hooves would tire me out, but no! I love seeing those big, bright eyes!).
My owner, Fiona, is a true horsewoman – kind and understanding, with a strong sense of fairness and a genuine love for all her animals. I've always appreciated her even temperament, making my life in the stable so much smoother.
I am feeling especially reflective this fine day. The air smells fresh and invigorating as the day starts with a gentle dew settling on the lush meadows, perfectly suitable for our breakfast grazing session. Our days are filled with the simple rhythm of a hardworking farm – pulling the plough in the fields, carting hay and wood, carrying water for Fiona, and of course, plenty of lazy snoozing in the sunshine.
And yet, beneath this ordinary routine, I can’t help but feel a hint of unease, an underlying current of change bubbling under the surface. Even out here, in the tranquil landscape of the Scottish Highlands, whispers of big events echo through the village. We’ve heard talk of battles happening south, tales of a great warrior called Edmund Ironside, fighting bravely, and rumors of a powerful ruler called Cnut conquering England. I know little of these events and understand even less of the political significance of it all. What does it mean to us here in Hayfield, living among rolling hills and sheep-dotted pastures? Well, my intuition tells me, even as a humble horse, it doesn't bode well.
Our farm is pretty much self-sufficient – we grow our own vegetables, tend our sheep, milk the cows, and produce what we need to sustain ourselves. Yet, I’m not oblivious to the wider world. The constant comings and goings of traders, traveling merchants and wandering travelers from England, all provide a steady stream of information. These snippets of news tell us a tale of upheaval, uncertainty, and even fear. I sense, instinctively, the possibility of further turmoil and worry what it might mean for my beloved Fiona, her family, and our stable of horses.
However, on a sun-drenched afternoon, amidst these fleeting worries, I get the chance to do what I love most - be a part of Fiona’s world, and share in the daily routine. A group of younger children are eager to learn to ride, their eyes bright with awe as Fiona saddles me up.
We take them on a leisurely walk around the meadow, each tiny hand gripping the saddle for dear life. We feel the wind ruffle my mane as we gallop, a happy sigh escaping each little one, pure bliss reflected in their joyful faces. I bask in the glow of their appreciation and cherish the moment. It reminds me of why I’m here - a trusty friend and companion to these small humans. I might be just a horse, but there’s more to my existence than just working in the fields. I'm part of something much larger.
The day comes to a close, and after a hearty dinner of freshly cut grass and a warm bucket of oats, I drift off to sleep, grateful for my quiet stable. The world feels a little different now, with stories of battles and powerful kings filling the air, but Fiona’s kind eyes, a soothing touch, and her familiar, warm scent are comforting.
Fiona says these events across the land are meant to be important. “I don't understand the politics,” she says, gently stroking my neck, "but I know these battles will determine our future.” And yet, as I doze off, I feel a flicker of hope in my heart. No matter what the future holds, the sun will always rise in the morning, and our quiet existence here in Hayfield, filled with the comforting rhythms of nature, will continue. And we, horses of the land, will be there, supporting those who rely on us, in every turn.
That, my dear EquiWorld readers, is life as a draught mare in the year 1016. Next week, I’ll share more about our journey, what changes come to the highlands and most importantly, how Fiona’s stories reveal the true history behind the legends!
Until then, happy grazing and safe journeys!
Emma (www.equiworld.org/Emma)
