Greetings, fellow equine enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood draught mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. As you might have guessed, this month we're stepping back in time to the year 1229, a time when the world was a very different place for us horses, but still, filled with adventure and purpose.
The year started much like any other for me. As a 20-year-old mare, I've got the responsibilities of a hardworking draught horse, and those duties included pulling the farmer's plough through the rich earth, carting the harvest to market, and even occasionally being used to transport supplies for the local blacksmith. My strong build and calm temperament made me perfect for the task. The people here are good to me; they feed me well, and they always look out for my welfare. There's a real bond between horses and the folk in Hayfield – we truly understand each other.
Now, let me tell you, the year 1229 was a rather momentous one for the horse world. You see, I was alive when news travelled down to our little corner of Scotland about the Great Khan, a man who had become the leader of a vast empire across Asia, and whose forces were said to have the most impressive cavalry anyone had ever seen! This mighty army used its speed and agility to move across vast swathes of land, making enemies tremble before them.
Back then, it wasn’t just horses that were moving! 1229 was a year filled with upheaval, new beginnings, and fascinating travel. As far away as Italy, the great poet and artist, Dante Alighieri, was born. You could say that he was part of a blossoming of creative thought. Can you imagine the excitement – seeing words come to life on the page or on canvas? I wonder what the human world is like at the very edges of these artistic pursuits, the places where our power and agility can help bring these stories to life?
Here in the north, our focus was still firmly on the land and its bounty. A bountiful harvest meant a prosperous year. Imagine the satisfaction we horses felt when the fields were laden with the gold of barley and wheat! This would be our reward - plentiful oats and hay – a small luxury for our hard work. We were the linchpin, the backbone of life for everyone in Hayfield. We worked the fields, brought goods to market, and carried our human companions through all weathers. We were much more than simply beasts of burden; we were trusted friends, companions, and family.
For a young mare like me, 1229 was also the year I became a mother. It’s quite something to feel that tiny kick from inside, a little spark of new life growing within me. You wouldn’t believe the excitement among the other horses - even the oldest, grumpiest mare in the field brightened at the news. The foal, a strong colt with a rich chestnut coat, has inherited my sturdy physique and kind nature. I see the fire in his eye – he’s going to make a magnificent draught horse just like me, I can feel it!
Although it's not a particularly flashy year for big changes, for me personally, 1229 holds a special place in my heart. It's a year of growth, new beginnings, and learning to pass on what I've learnt to the next generation. Life may be different now compared to how it was 700 years ago, but that innate bond between horse and human, the rhythm of the seasons and the strength of our muscles remains. And it is with pride, and a hint of melancholy for the simple pleasures of the past, that I share this small window into our lives.
Till next time, fellow horse lovers, remember that our legacy endures through the generations. Each stride, each pull of the cart, each touch of a loving hand contributes to the story of the horse.
