Hello, dear readers! Welcome to my EquiWorld blog, where I, Emma, a grey mare from Hayfield, near Aberdeen in bonnie Scotland, share my musings on the life of a horse. It's a grand year, 1243! So much has happened, and I've got to tell you all about it.
Now, let's step back in time. The wind whistles through the heather, a familiar melody on the highlands. I feel its icy touch against my sleek, grey coat and hear the familiar clip-clop of hooves on the stony path.
Today is just another ordinary day for me and my fellow steeds. We haul carts laden with peat from the bog to the nearby village. We pull ploughs through the fields, turning the stubborn earth ready for the next crop of oats and barley. This is our way of life - hard work and purpose, feeding the families that depend on us. We are the very backbone of the community, these draught horses, and our lives are steeped in the rhythms of the seasons, the changes of weather, and the unwavering demand for our strength and loyalty.
Though a humble task, our contribution is vital, particularly in these trying times. King Alexander II, may he live long and prosper, faces troubles with the feisty Norsemen from across the sea, who constantly poke their noses into our business. It’s unsettling, but our strong hooves remain firmly planted in the Scottish soil, and our task is to work and feed those who fight to protect our home.
And let’s be honest, my fellow steeds and I have the best of all worlds! A hearty feed of hay and oats every morning, a cosy stable for rest at night, and the shared companionship of our fellow steeds. There's something comforting in knowing that, however difficult life may seem, we face it together.
Today, as we trundled down the path to Hayfield village, the air was crisp and the sky clear, a canvas of the most brilliant blue. It's a rare sight in this often gloomy land, and a moment to savor. As we ambled along, the smell of smoke rising from the chimney stacks in the village reached us, a tempting reminder of warmth and home. It is here, amongst these simple pleasures, that my true contentment lies.
It’s fascinating to note how differently horses are treated across the world in this year 1243. My hooves carry me far and wide, and I've gathered a wealth of knowledge about horse practices from fellow horses and travellers passing through Hayfield.
Take, for instance, our dear neighbours, the English! They hold grand tournaments and jousting contests. It seems they hold their horses in even higher regard than we do here in Scotland! The most elegant, noble steeds are meticulously groomed, their coats shimmering like satin, their manes braided in elaborate designs. They’re often adorned with extravagant trappings - leather saddles and bridles with golden clasps and silver buckles. They even sport shimmering cloth banners adorned with the heraldry of their knights. Now, that’s how you live a life of grandeur, eh? I admit, the image of such elegance is quite tempting.
On the other side of the world, across the Great Ocean as the humans call it, our kind play a very different role in the lands of the Mongol Empire. The nomadic people of this sprawling expanse value our strength and stamina above all. They use us for travelling vast distances, raiding, and, in battles. They're expert riders and know how to nurture us for both agility and endurance.
I've even heard stories of the horse races, the most exciting competitions held by the Mongols! Imagine galloping at full speed across wide-open plains, feeling the wind whip through your mane and the dust churn up around your hooves. A thrilling image indeed!
In China, the Mongols and the locals are developing ways to breed even stronger, swifter horses. This sounds very intriguing to me - I imagine such noble beasts are coveted across the lands. Perhaps one day, I too shall grace a battlefield, my hooves echoing a thunderous rhythm across the open ground! But for now, I'm happy with my modest work in the Scottish Highlands. It’s a life of honesty and service, and in my opinion, those are the best rewards a horse could ask for.
Now, this year has been a flurry of change in the horse world!
The first one, a change that truly stirred the spirits of my fellow horses and myself, was the birth of a young Arabian stallion. His name was Al-Khamis, and he came to our valley carrying the magic of the Middle East with him. It’s quite rare to see Arabian blood in these northern climes.
His sire, they say, came from a distant land, a kingdom bathed in desert sun where horses of such fine build and regal demeanor are valued as treasures. He’s lean and nimble, a sight to behold, with a coat like molten gold and a mane flowing like silk. He’s quite the charmer, that Al-Khamis! And, he brings with him a unique agility and stamina which all us Scottish steeds admired. The human handlers have learned a new art of riding, using lighter saddles and slender whips, the same manner as the Nomadic peoples of the East.
This beautiful creature stirred a buzz throughout our local community, the likes of which none of us had experienced before! People travel far and wide to admire Al-Khamis, and whisper amongst themselves about his remarkable pedigree. It’s an honour to share a paddock with this beautiful horse, although his graceful movements make my life of hard labour seem ever so mundane! Perhaps the humans will take me south to experience these warmer climes and the new world of lighter, quicker horsemanship. That is certainly a delightful dream for a horse like myself.
The second change to our horsey world in 1243 comes with the advent of new, lightweight saddles and stirrups! I confess, when I first saw them, I did think "What's all this fuss about?". The wooden frames looked very uncomfortable indeed! And these new stirrups, made of metal instead of solid wood, felt like mere slivers! I was sceptical. But I've had to admit I was wrong.
When they were attached to Al-Khamis, the rider seemed to become one with the horse. He sat higher in the saddle, less weighed down, allowing the horse greater agility and faster speeds! They flew through the air, like birds! Truly, an astonishing sight. The riders even looked so very different now. Gone was the cumbersome cloaks and armour that bogged them down, replaced with supple leathers that fit like a glove. They moved freely and quickly - as one with the horses, a spectacle I never thought I'd see!
These saddles, while a new fancy in the north, are more common down in England. And that's because, my dears, the horses down there have much bigger roles to play!
Remember those grand tournaments I told you about? Well, these lighter saddles are vital for allowing knights to wield their lances and swords more effectively, a fact not lost on the people of England who, much to my envy, seem to favour the larger breeds of horses. And that's how they became the dominant military force in the western world - strong, agile, and perfectly attuned to the will of their riders! It's incredible what a saddle can do! It changes everything for horse and rider. Now, you’ve got me dreaming about my hooves, my strength, and the freedom I have to offer the humans who rely on me.
This journey through the year of 1243 is certainly enlightening! As I end this blog entry, the sun is setting, casting a fiery glow upon the highlands. It's a reminder that, despite the uncertainties and trials of the times, life moves forward, much like a river to the sea.
We horses, like the stones that form the riverbed, offer stability and purpose, even as the world around us changes. This year has brought change indeed, some frightening, some joyful. Perhaps that's the beauty of life - constant transformation! I hope, dear readers, you'll continue to join me as I delve into this glorious tapestry of history.
And please, tell me your stories too. I am most keen to hear from all you horse lovers. Your experiences, no matter how big or small, help build a rich picture of the history of our equine kind. Until next time, I hope your hooves stay strong and your heart content!
- Emma, a grey mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen.
