History of Horses in the year 1256

Welcome to EquiWorld, fellow equines and friends of the horse! I’m Emma, a 20-year-old grey mare, strong as an oak and proud of my white mane and tail, which shimmers like spun silver in the sun. I live in Hayfield, a little village nestled amongst the rolling hills near Aberdeen, Scotland. Here in my stable, tucked up warm for the night, I find myself reflecting upon the year 1256 - a time of grand horses, mighty monarchs, and a flurry of excitement in the world of equines. Let me take you back in time with me and share my insights on the horse scene!

You know, I’m always fascinated by the stories of grand horses throughout history. Imagine – to be ridden by royalty, a creature of immense strength and beauty, admired for your elegance and bearing!

This year, 1256, marked the reign of King Alexander III of Scotland. While I wouldn't claim to be ridden by him personally (even I have to admit he'd be a bit too heavy for me!), I’m sure his majesty enjoyed many a fine ride with his trusty companions. He loved his horses and held tournaments and hunts. We, the horses of this era, weren't mere transport, we were partners, companions, symbols of power and status.

There’s a rumour that a magnificent destrier (a war horse) was gifted to the King from France, and you can imagine how excited the stable hands were with a new, strong, impressive stallion. Now, the French horses of that era, with their slender bodies and incredible stamina, were absolutely renowned. This new stallion must have brought a certain je ne sais quoi to the Scottish court, causing a real stir among our equine brethren.

Across the seas in France, things were also lively on the equine front. King Louis IX was a pious man, deeply devout, and in fact, 1256 saw the beginning of his famous Crusades. That meant that many brave horses and their riders were journeying to the Holy Land, serving God and Crown. While I admire the spirit and courage, and let’s face it, I do admire a good gallop, those journeys must have been exhausting for horses.

Imagine being shipped on a wooden vessel for weeks, leaving behind the lush pastures of your homeland and encountering new terrains and unfamiliar cultures. Those hardy souls, those warhorses – they had to be tough, they had to be courageous, and they certainly were revered. They represented the strength and resilience of the French people.

It wasn’t all royal steeds and war horses, though. We draught horses, the workhorses of the era, were essential for trade and transportation. I can feel the sweat rolling down my neck just thinking about pulling a heavy cart loaded with wheat or barley across uneven roads! Those who weren't strong wouldn't survive – and yet, we were so important, a vital part of everyday life.

Horses were used to transport goods, move farm produce, and were a driving force in agriculture and daily life. As the workhorses, we were also respected for our reliability, strength and the valuable role we played in society. There’s an inherent dignity to our breed - the quiet strength and steadiness.

Now, I know some of you younger horses might be asking “But Emma, how do we know all of this? It happened ages ago!” Well, my friend, you'd be surprised by the records we keep. Medieval writings - a lot of them about horses! Think about it - the scribes, the monks, those who wrote everything down - they wrote about the battles, the feasts, and also about the horses!

There were texts dedicated to the proper care of horses - breeding, training, even treatments for ailments. That means we had, and still have, generations of horsemen and women dedicated to our wellbeing. We’ve always been considered vital members of the community, and history clearly reflects this.

1256, for a young horse like myself, was a busy time. Even here in our Hayfield stables, there was a buzz! Our lives, I’d say, were relatively simple - eat, sleep, work, repeat.

There were, of course, certain privileges that came with being a horse of good standing. For example, we, the draught horses, weren't expected to just drag anything. Our work involved transport - carting wood, fetching water, even carrying messages in dire need! This year saw a particularly heavy winter, a real blizzard. The roads were blocked and farmers were worried about the food supply running out. Well, that’s when we draught horses proved our worth. Our powerful builds were perfect to help clear the roads and we pulled heavy sleds laden with sacks of grain from farms to villages.

Of course, every good workhorse deserves their rewards, and we received them. Warm oats, hay, and of course, pats and praise! After a long day, nothing was better than a nice grooming session. It was then I’d catch up on the latest news. Our stable boy, Duncan, knew more than you’d think – he'd gossip about the other horses, who was chosen to take the farmer's daughter to the market (she'd blush with each clomp of my hooves on the cobbles, wouldn’t she?), or he'd tell us about the grandest events.

And speaking of those grand events – well, every so often, a particularly important visitor would pass through our village, or maybe a big fair was held. Now, you might not realize, but that’s where the show horses, those beautiful and elegant creatures with flowing manes and high steps, made their debut.

I can imagine their silks shimmering in the afternoon light, the cheers of the crowd ringing in my ears! Their handlers would carefully groom their coats and polish their hooves, primping and parading them to the tune of music, making their graceful maneuvers under the appreciative eyes of the lords and ladies. It was truly a grand spectacle.

The year 1256 marked the year that Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks, was born. I remember hearing about the grand occasion – the king and queen were elated. I just can't imagine, even in my old age, that kind of excitement.

Well, just as we look forward to new foals joining the stables every year, history always pushes on. It is inevitable! I can't say for sure what the next century will hold, what new innovations might shape our lives, but one thing remains certain – horses will always play a vital role.

You know what? As the wind whispers through the stable and the moonlight paints my white mane, I'm struck with an overwhelming feeling of pride for the work our breed does. We are not just strong and hardy, but also loving, caring creatures. Our connection with humans, spanning millennia, goes deeper than words can describe. We work hard, we persevere, and we remain forever entwined with humanity's journey.

I believe the horses of 1256 were strong, courageous, and compassionate, just like us today. And the future, for the horses of the world? I, Emma, have faith. We are part of history. We are part of the present. We will be a part of the future.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through 1256. Remember to look up at the stars next time you're out in the field. They've seen a lot – wars, travels, the coming and going of people – just as we have!

Until next time,

Emma.