Greetings fellow equines! Emma here, a sturdy grey mare with a flowing white mane and tail. I call the beautiful Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland my home. I'm 20 years old now, strong as an ox and as steady as a rock, which is exactly what they need me to be, working the fields with my friend Angus, a lovely chestnut gelding. He’s younger than me, a real firecracker with a flair for the dramatic!
I’m starting this blog today, a day I’ll never forget. It was a sweltering summer’s day. I can still remember the smell of sunbaked grass and the feel of the warm breeze ruffling my mane. I was busy pulling a heavy plough, the sweat glistening on my coat. It’s hard work being a farm horse, but I love it.
My master, Robert, was a kind man with gentle hands. He'd often tell us stories of the wider world, stories of knights and kings and horses with grand destinies. Angus would always perk up, ears pricked and eyes gleaming. He'd dream of becoming a warhorse, charging across battlefields. As for me, well, I just enjoyed the quiet routine of farm life. The scent of fresh hay, the rhythm of the plough, and the bond I shared with Angus made me feel happy.
But that day, a different kind of visitor arrived, and he brought news that shook our world. He was a travelling storyteller, his clothes tattered and dusty, yet his voice held a certain magic. He sat down in the shade of the apple tree and began his tale: "In 1231, horses are having their moment!"
He spoke of events across the world that made me prick my ears:
The Mongol Empire: Far to the East, the great Khan Ghengis Khan had ridden his armies to conquer most of Asia! The horses of his men were legendary, sleek and strong, hardy enough to withstand the harshest terrains and swift enough to outrun any enemy. Imagine that, running like the wind with the scent of the steppe whipping through your mane!
Crusader Kingdoms: Across the sea in the Holy Land, knights were fighting for their faith! The Crusades had been going on for a century, and it seemed as though they wouldn’t end anytime soon. And who played a vital role in this conflict? Horses, of course! They carried warriors into battle, pulling siege engines, and transporting supplies.
England’s Green and Pleasant Land: In the north, they were talking about new rules for breeding horses, encouraging the creation of strong, sturdy animals like ourselves. They needed our power to till the land and haul the heavy wagons, providing for families and communities. The thought of it made me proud – we are, after all, the backbone of our society!
The Romance of Horses in Art: And if that wasn't enough, he spoke of artists capturing our beauty on canvas. People were painting us in elegant poses, immortalizing our strength and grace! Imagine yourself framed on a beautiful canvas, not just pulling a plough!
This storytelling visitor left us in a state of awe. Angus was buzzing, fueled by his dreams of military glory, while I pondered the grand scale of what horses meant in this world. We weren't just working animals; we were part of a bigger story, a grand tapestry of history that spanned the globe!
I knew then that I needed to record this journey – to share our story with others like us, to celebrate our strength and our history. That is why I’ve decided to share my thoughts and reflections with the world. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of horses in the year 1231. Stay tuned, for there is so much more to discover!
Next Post #1232: What We Ate in 1231 (spoiler alert, hay!)
