Hello everyone, and welcome to my little corner of the internet! It's Emma here, a grey draught mare with a white mane and tail, and I'm writing to you from my home in Hayfield, just outside the lovely town of Aberdeen, in Scotland. Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, why on earth would a horse have a blog? Isn't that a little, well... human?" But I think it's important for all of us to tell our stories, right? To share the fascinating world of horses, especially back in the good old days, like this year, 1035 AD.
Today, I'm going to take you on a journey through a typical year in the life of a working horse, right here in Scotland. Let me tell you, it wasn't all rolling hills and misty moors, though I do love them both. There was plenty of hard work to be done, and horses like me were absolutely vital to our community.
The Importance of Strength
Let's start with what we all know - we're the workhorses of the world, built for power and stamina! Our sturdy legs and broad chests allow us to pull ploughs, carry heavy loads, and even travel long distances for trade. You see, without horses, people wouldn't be able to move goods, travel quickly, or farm the land. And trust me, this was an era where we played a HUGE role.
You might not have realised, but around this time, the mighty Norse people were making quite an impact on the land! Vikings, they were called. Not the gentlest souls, let me tell you. Now, these Viking chaps came from the North with their long boats and ironclad warships. You could hear their shouts and the thud of their axes from miles away, like thunder on the horizon.
Of course, my human family (let's call them my 'hoomans' - they don't mind!) were a little concerned about these Viking fellows. Our land was protected by strong fortresses, but there was always a chance of raids. This meant we draught horses needed to be especially vigilant. We were used to hauling stones and timber to build those protective walls and even used to carry men to fight them. But the Viking threats never truly affected our daily lives much in Hayfield. Life was still mostly about the land and the simple rhythms of our lives. It was peaceful here. Just don't let the Vikings hear me say that, now.
Life in the Fields
Back to the farming, where the real story begins! Each year, as the land started thawing after winter, it was time for ploughing. That's where our true strength came into play. We were hitched to the hefty wooden plough, dragging it through the cold, heavy earth. You could smell the fresh soil in the air, hear the clanging of the iron on the furrow, and feel the rhythm of the pull, which set us into a comfortable working rhythm. The hardest thing about this task, for me at least, was the way the ploughman would sometimes use his heavy iron-shod whip to encourage us, a sound that echoes strangely throughout my ears sometimes to this day!
Come the summer, the land was ripe for planting. Our hoomans carefully tended to their fields of barley and wheat, knowing each grain would sustain them for months to come. During harvest season, we’d help pull the heavy carts piled high with sacks of grain, moving them to the local mills to be ground into flour. Our hoomans are skilled bakers, and you know what they say: 'Good food and good company'. And where was that flour used? That's right - the bread! I can tell you a fine loaf of freshly baked bread with butter and honey can make you work hard all day long! It’s what gives us the strength to plough, harvest, and carry the burdens of life, you know!
A Day of Travel
Not every day was about hard labour, though. We also travelled, and that brought some much needed change to our lives. Sometimes, it would be a short journey to the market in Aberdeen, where my hooman would barter some of our home-grown produce. Or maybe it would be a trip to the local church, a stunning building built by patient and strong hands. Those magnificent wooden beams that held the building together were hauled and lifted by horses, much like my forebears, strong and determined, with sweat upon their brows!
I'll admit, there’s nothing quite like the wind whipping through my mane as I run alongside my companions, feeling the strength and trust between us. A strong pack-horse team is the heart of our little community!
Friendship and Camaraderie
My favorite time of day was after our work was done, when the sun was sinking low, and the world was bathed in golden light. Then, all of us horses would gather together in the stables. It was our own social club - all ages and breeds together.
We'd have quiet conversations about the day, nicker to each other about the latest gossip, and groom one another with gentle bites. This was our time for rest and relaxation after a long, productive day, where all our fears of wolves or bears (who lived high up on the Scottish mountains) vanished, to be replaced by comfort and quiet.
A Night of Rest
And after we’d all eaten our oats and hay, we’d lie down in our stalls, watching the stars shimmer above. Sometimes, I’d think about my ancestors, the wild horses who roamed the plains long ago, running free and wild, living by instinct. I wondered if they had a life as full and enriching as ours. Perhaps they would have laughed at our slow plodding ways.
It's not always easy being a working horse, but it’s also not a bad life. I'm lucky to live with a kind and loving family, and my work allows me to feel part of a community, contributing to the good of all.
More to Come
Well, there you have it, a glimpse into the world of a horse in 1035 AD. It’s a time of great change. I often ponder on what changes our world of horses will undergo in the next 1000 years! Will our horses still pull heavy carts and farm the land? Or will a new age of metal machines arrive to take our places? And will I ever see the amazing machines that take people up into the skies?
This journey is only just beginning. I’ll be sure to update you all soon with the latest happenings here in Hayfield. And maybe I can share some interesting thoughts on what the world of horses was like even before this. Who knows! Keep checking back in.
Until next time, keep your hooves clean,
Emma
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