History of Horses in the year 1242

Hello there, fellow horse enthusiasts! Emma here, your trusty steed and resident historian from the bonnie hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen. It’s been a while since my last blog post, what with the haymaking and the autumn gales, but I’ve been itching to share what I’ve learnt about our horsey world back in the year 1242. It was a particularly fascinating time, you see, and I’m excited to delve into some of the adventures my ancestors experienced!

The year began with the familiar chill of a Scottish winter. We, the horses of Hayfield, were tucked into our warm stables, munching on hay and sharing tales of the past summer’s hunts and races. You wouldn’t believe the stories they told – of battles fought and victories won, of long journeys across wild lands, and of noble knights mounted on their sturdy backs. These stories always filled me with a sense of pride and wonder, knowing that our breed played such a vital role in history.

We had a quiet winter that year, but come spring, things started to liven up. Our village had a grand horse market, and it was a sight to behold! Horses of all shapes and sizes filled the square - powerful war horses, sturdy farm horses, even the tiniest Shetland ponies with their fuzzy coats. The air was thick with the scent of hay, leather, and horses sweat, and it was impossible not to feel the electricity of the gathering.

My friends and I watched from the sidelines as our master, a gruff but kind farmer named Donald, carefully inspected the horses on offer. We were both amused and slightly apprehensive as Donald grumbled and muttered about the price of each horse. “Too thin!” he would shout, “Needs more spirit!”, “Those hooves need some work!” It was quite a performance, but it always resulted in him getting the best bargain, which of course pleased everyone in the stable!

That year, our master selected a handsome black stallion to join our ranks. We greeted him with friendly whinnies, for in those days, horses lived in a close-knit community within each village, helping and supporting each other in their daily work. We welcomed the new stallion, nicknamed Shadow for his dark coat, and I must admit, the stables were never as quiet after that! He was a bit of a ladies’ man, constantly flirting with the mares.

However, 1242 was not just about markets and romance. It was a time of great upheaval and change across the globe, a time when horses played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of many lands. It’s worth remembering that back in 1242, much of Europe was at war. This was a period of territorial conflict and constant battles, fought not just for land but for control of power and influence. And as you can guess, horses were vital to warfare! They carried warriors to the front lines, transported weapons and supplies, and even took part in the battle, charging forward to scare the enemy with their thundering hooves.

Now, I must admit, this isn’t the sort of work I’d particularly fancy. War is not something I feel drawn to, I’d rather spend my days working the fields and enjoying the open air. My strong grey coat is perfect for pulling a plough, not carrying a sword. However, there’s no denying the horses of this time played an incredibly important role. Imagine a war with no horses to charge in formation? Or how would you get all the provisions and materials for siege warfare without horses? These animals truly did shape the outcome of battles, which I suppose is an important role for a horse, even though it sounds a little scary to me.

There was more to horses in 1242 than just warfare. The world, at least the parts I could get news from, was being explored and connected as never before, with trade routes opening up between distant lands. This was an exciting time for horses. I’ve read many accounts of how horses transported goods like silk and spices across the Silk Road from the Far East, and you can imagine how important these travels were in fostering a cultural exchange of knowledge and ideas!

Even closer to home, the world of horses was changing. Our cousins in the south of England had recently started to work with horses in new ways, especially on the large estates. The nobles had begun experimenting with training horses for more sophisticated skills, like transporting people in grand carriages, racing against each other, and even participating in knightly jousting competitions! Imagine the pride and thrill those horses must have felt, going so fast and looking so handsome in their rich caparisons.

It seems hard to believe, but the world has always been a dynamic place, filled with changes and challenges. Just like now, 1242 was a year full of ups and downs, a tapestry woven with threads of conflict and cooperation. But at the end of the day, horses remained constant, dedicated companions to their humans. They worked tirelessly to provide food and transport, they fought bravely in defense of their homeland, and most importantly, they kept us connected to our world.

And so, the year came to a close, and with it the bustle of summer and the excitement of the horse market. The cold wind whipped through Hayfield, and our thoughts turned to the approaching winter. Yet, within those stables, warmth and laughter prevailed as we, the horses of Hayfield, gathered to share stories of the past year, a year that was at once extraordinary and ordinary, filled with both hardship and happiness. I believe that in each of our stories lies a powerful reminder that although the world may change around us, our love for horses, and their steadfast companionship, continues to thrive across the ages.

I can’t wait to share what else I learn about horses from other periods, as we gallop into new adventures, new stories, and more fascinating moments from the history of horses!

Until next time, keep those hooves clicking and enjoy your journey into EquiWorld!

Emma x