Welcome back, fellow equines and horse-loving friends! Emma here, your friendly grey draught horse from Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen in Scotland. It's been a while since my last post, and as you all know, life on a farm, especially with all the hauling and tilling we do, can be quite busy.
But today, I'm going to delve into the year 1170, and let you in on what life was like for a horse like myself. And who knows, perhaps I'll even share some insights about the world beyond the fields we call home.
The Year 1170 - A Time of Change:
It seems so long ago, doesn't it? The year 1170, though just over 850 years ago, feels like an eternity in horse years. Back then, life was simpler, more basic, and the world revolved around agriculture, with horses like me at the heart of it all.
I remember that summer vividly. The fields were a vibrant patchwork of golden wheat and emerald barley. The air hummed with the gentle drone of bees and the melodic chirping of sparrows, as I helped pull the plough through the rich Scottish soil. My white mane and tail danced in the warm summer breeze, as if in a silent celebration of our hard work.
We draught horses were the muscle, the backbone of society, helping our human companions plant and harvest their crops, carrying heavy burdens to distant markets, and even pulling grand carriages on special occasions. It was a life of purpose, a life of honest work, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
A Look into the World:
The world of horses in 1170 was vastly different from today. There weren't all the fancy horse breeds, like those beautiful thoroughbreds racing at Newmarket. We were mostly draft horses, built for strength and stamina. There were no special horse feed blends, and I'm sure you'd be amazed at how much grain and hay I devoured every day.
Our humans, though a lot more experienced with horses back then, were still learning about their specific needs. There wasn't any veterinary knowledge to speak of, so illnesses and injuries were treated with home remedies or herbs. Thankfully, we were healthy, strong, and lived long lives in service to our humans.
The Tournament of Champions:
Even in our hard-working lives, there was always something exciting to look forward to. 1170 marked the year of a great event, a jousting tournament of champions held at York, England. The tales of brave knights charging across the fields on magnificent warhorses filled every farmer's hearth with excitement.
These tournaments were a spectacle like none other, filled with splendor, courage, and chivalry. Each warrior showcased his prowess and skill, striving to win the acclaim of the watching crowd. While I couldn't participate myself, it was a thrill to hear the tales of the mighty steeds, the brave steeds who fought with such strength and grace.
A Tale of Friendship:
One memory from that year lingers especially. I had formed a strong bond with a chestnut mare named Hazel. Hazel was from a neighbouring farm and, being a fellow draft horse, we were often yoked together to pull the larger wagons. She was a sweet mare with a quiet demeanor, and her beautiful, flowing mane was like liquid chestnut.
One autumn afternoon, we were returning from a trip to the market with a cart full of vegetables and fruit. The journey had been long and tiresome, and both of us were eager to return to the stable and enjoy a warm bed of straw.
Just as we were passing through the forest that bordered our field, a group of bandits emerged from the trees. Their eyes gleamed with malice, and their hands reached for their weapons. Fear seized our hearts as they advanced toward our cart. I whinnied, alerting Hazel to the danger.
Hazel, brave and true, reared her head and let out a powerful neigh that shook the very trees. Then, with an unexpected surge of adrenaline, she dashed forward, throwing her body in front of me and the cart.
The bandits hesitated for a moment, taken aback by Hazel's bold defiance. They muttered amongst themselves, their initial boldness faltering. I don't know what passed through their minds, but perhaps they realised they were facing more than they bargained for.
The air hung heavy with tension for a long moment before, abruptly, they turned and retreated into the forest. Hazel, breathing hard, had stood her ground and driven them back.
That day, I realized the strength of a true bond, the courage that lay within our hearts, and the power we possessed as animals, capable of courage and fierce loyalty.
An Evolving World:
As the years pass, the world around us changes. The needs of our human companions evolve, and we, the horses, adapt to those changes. The fields continue to be tilled, crops harvested, and markets filled, but with the passage of time, the world is evolving.
I have witnessed these changes – the rise of horse-drawn carriages, the new technologies emerging to make our work a little easier, and the growing respect and appreciation for our role in human history.
So, dear readers, while 1170 might seem distant in time, it reminds us that our journey together, humans and horses, is one of unwavering service, friendship, and an evolution that continues to unfold each day.
What are your favourite memories of 1170? Do you have any stories to share about the amazing horses of the past? Let's share our stories and journey through equine history together!
This post is #1170 on www.equiworld.org
Stay tuned for the next exciting post - a look into 1171!
