Greetings, fellow equines! It’s Emma here, a grey draught mare with a snowy white mane and tail. You can find me pulling the plough on a small farm nestled in the rolling hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland. It’s the year 1086, and the world around us, both human and equine, is bustling with change. Let me tell you all about it!
The air is crisp, carrying the scent of heather and the promise of autumn. The heather is in full bloom, a purple sea rippling across the moorlands, and the autumn colours are just beginning to tinge the trees with shades of gold and crimson. This year has been a good one for the harvest.
A Time of Great Change
We’re all still buzzing from the big event – the Doomsday Book! I’m not quite sure what that book is or why it was so important, but the humans certainly made a lot of fuss about it. All year, scribes with their quill pens and inky fingers have been racing through the countryside, listing all the lands, the crops, the animals, and most importantly, the horses. I can’t imagine all the stories those scrolls are holding about each horse – stories of working the fields, carrying heavy loads, and galloping across the hills! I even heard they’re using our horses to help transport goods and materials. It’s a very big deal, I hear, especially in the south. My human family tells me the book could even help the King decide which land needs more resources and support!
This Doomsday Book reminds me of another time of change, which still lingers in the minds of many: The Norman Conquest. Just over 20 years ago, those tough and well-equipped Norman horsemen from across the sea descended upon this island and changed our lives forever. They were strong and skilled warriors, riding on those beautiful, powerful warhorses.
Our lives haven’t changed quite so dramatically here in the north. Though I hear the Northerners, as the humans here are called, are no strangers to conflict and they are always wary of the powerful Norman presence, it is still quite peaceful up in the Scottish Highlands. It seems the humans and horses have an unspoken understanding. We’re here to work, to help them feed themselves, and they appreciate that. The fields are bustling with activity, the harvest is in, and the days are slowly getting shorter. The winter is just around the corner.
The Days of a Draught Horse
For a mare like me, my day starts at the break of dawn. It's time to wake up and start the hard work – pulling the plough through the fields, helping with the threshing and grinding grain, and sometimes hauling wagons full of harvested crops. Even though I might tire at the end of a long day, it's a life I know. My strength and resilience come in handy. I’m proud to be a draught horse.
There is something special about working together, feeling the harness tighten as we pull as one, the shared strength that allows us to achieve more together than we ever could alone. There is also great pleasure in feeling the sun warm my back as I stand peacefully in the field, chewing on sweet, long grass and watching the children playing near the farmhouse.
Sharing Stories
And now, the horses, we like to get together and share stories and gossip, under the watchful gaze of the stars in the stillness of the night.
"Did you hear what happened down in London? They're holding grand horse shows, with elegant steeds galloping around an arena, showing off their fancy paces! I saw a picture, sent by the travellers." I heard from my stablemate, Lily, who is a chestnut mare with a flamboyant spirit. She can be a bit dramatic, but I love her enthusiasm and stories.
"Well," I replied, pulling my heavy hay down, " I much prefer a good old-fashioned plough through a field. Gives a bit more satisfaction! Makes a difference."
"Maybe you'll get to do something like that fancy galloping! My cousins are part of the King’s retinue. I heard he has some of the finest warhorses you’ve ever seen!” Lily’s eyes glinted.
I laughed, "Perhaps, if there is another battle to be fought, and we're needed.” I imagined myself a powerful warrior horse, galloping alongside fearless knights, protecting the kingdom. It's a beautiful dream! I can see my beautiful white mane streaming behind me, like a waterfall, as I dash into battle, but for now, the quiet rhythm of my farm life, the smell of freshly cut hay, and the feeling of the earth under my hooves – these things satisfy me.
Our Role in History
From pulling the plough to transporting supplies, horses like us are essential to the humans, weaving our way through their world and into the tapestry of history.
It may not be glamorous to be a draught horse. But the satisfaction of a hard day’s work, the companionship of our kind, and the ever-present connection to the land – those are things we treasure. It's important to remember that all of us – horses, humans, even those tough Norman invaders, all play a part in shaping history, one step at a time. I can only imagine what future generations of horses will have to say about our world.
So, that's it from me! This is just a small glimpse into the life of a grey draught horse living in this fascinating era. I hope you enjoyed my stories and I look forward to sharing more adventures from the horse's perspective with you next time!
Remember to always share your own horse stories! We'd love to hear about your journeys, triumphs, and moments of simple equine bliss on www.equiworld.org!
Until then, keep galloping!
Emma, Grey Draught Mare of Hayfield, 1086.
