Blog post 1262 - Emma, Grey Draught Mare, Hayfield, Scotland
Neigh, everyone! Welcome back to my humble little corner of the internet. As you know, I love to dig into the annals of equine history. It’s not every day that you get to have a chat with a fellow horse who lived over seven hundred years ago, is it?
So, I thought, for this post, I’d take us all back to the year 1262. I was quite the young mare myself at this point, about 20 years old, a hefty Grey Draught with a gleaming white mane and tail – the picture of strength and resilience. In fact, my name was Emma. My life was a typical one for a horse back then, in a place called Hayfield near Aberdeen in Scotland. That year, 1262, was a bit of a landmark for me personally, as it saw the completion of a project I was proud to have played a part in, along with all my equine colleagues.
The Bridge
We’d been working on this bridge for ages. For over two years, it seems, hauling rocks and logs on my broad back, sweating under the Scottish sun and shivering in the chilly winds. The bridge, the River Dee Bridge, as they called it, was needed to cross over the mighty Dee River, near Aberdeen. Back then, there wasn't a bridge to speak of, and people had to rely on ford crossings - treacherous, to say the least! Well, we all pulled our weight (quite literally!), hauling and shifting the materials day in and day out. The masons, they were brilliant! Using these grey, sandstone blocks to build arches that seemed to reach to the heavens, with a grace I never thought I'd see in such a rugged land.
And me? Well, I loved feeling the wind in my mane and the grit of the road under my hooves, all in service of a better life for humans and animals alike. We horses are built for work, and it felt good to contribute something so practical and so necessary. The River Dee, with its ferocious current, used to be such a danger. And now, thanks to that magnificent stone arch we built, we were all able to cross safely!
The King’s Horse
Back in 1262, things were very different. We horses were valued – yes! We were considered incredibly important in those days. Imagine this – Kings, Queens, nobles, everyone rode a horse! That’s why everyone, young and old, respected a horse and what they stood for.
Our King, Alexander III of Scotland, he had a favourite horse. And oh, he was magnificent, with a coat of chestnut and legs that moved with a fluidity you could hardly believe. This King was a skilled horseman himself – it’s said that he loved to spend his days in the saddle, hunting, travelling across the kingdom, and inspecting his domains. Everyone told stories about his bravery, his strength, his clever mind – qualities reflected in his horse. In a way, that horse symbolised the kingdom of Scotland – powerful, strong, and loyal.
I heard he even had a personal stable, right in the royal court at Edinburgh Castle! Imagine that! We, the draught horses of Scotland, were essential to the whole land. They say we transported grain and produce from farm to market. And when they wanted to haul heavy loads for the army – for instance, when the Scottish were getting ready for war against England – it was us who were relied upon. Our hooves kept the wheels turning.
Training and Trust
Life in Hayfield in 1262 was simple yet fulfilling. We spent our days on the farm, helping with chores. A man called Davie, who took care of me with the utmost patience, taught me my job. We developed a trust and an unspoken language that ran deep, and for him, I’d move mountains. (Well, maybe not literally, but I would move quite a lot of rocks!)
I learned how to plough fields, turning the earth into perfect rows for the farmers to sow their barley. Then, when the harvest arrived, I pulled the cart loaded with sacks of grain to the nearest town to be traded. There, we’d mingle with horses from all corners of the countryside, exchanging tales and sharing gossip, comparing our own masters’ temperaments, their expertise, the skills they demanded of us. I learned so much through these stories!
Knights and Tournaments
This era, they called it the “Age of Chivalry”. It sounds grand, doesn't it? Now, knights in their shiny armor and fine steeds, were highly admired. Knights – noble warriors, you might say, were brave and chivalrous and trained in combat, often spending years in the service of a powerful lord or a king. And their horses? They were something else, weren’t they? They were trained for war, they were swift and strong, and their coats were perfectly kept, often decorated with intricate designs that matched their master's armour.
And speaking of tournaments, everyone loved them! Knights from far and wide competed with skill and bravery in spectacular shows. They rode through challenging obstacle courses, fought with blunted weapons, all while displaying exceptional control of their horses. The horse and the knight, they moved like one – a dance, really!
Sometimes, we horses would be invited to the tournaments. This was something special for us. The thrill of the crowds, the clang of steel, the thrill of seeing skilled riders at work! It was awe-inspiring, exhilarating, and a great opportunity to rub shoulders with other horses. These tournaments – they reminded us that, horses were part of this magnificent spectacle, integral to these times, a part of a whole grander scene that we ourselves could not create but we contributed to in a beautiful way.
Horse Racing
They had races in those days too, you know. It was different from our modern horse racing though – but you can imagine the excitement. They raced their horses over rough terrain – hills and fields, through forests, along rivers – anything was game! No wonder these steeds were strong and courageous, tough and agile – quite a spectacle for everyone. They were much admired! I hear people would travel for miles to attend these racing festivals, and I can just imagine the joy of the crowds as their horses sped past!
Caring for My Kind
It’s hard for us modern-day horses to imagine how differently things were back then. They say there was very little care taken to protect the horses – as they weren't the pampered, cared-for animals they are today! Of course, there was some care involved - we horses weren't simply abused or cast aside. After all, we were their lifeline!
They relied on us. People, for instance, learned to provide basic medical care for horses back then, although a lot of it was simple herbal treatments and knowledge passed down through generations of horsekeepers and farmers. They’d learn from their grandparents and fathers to recognize signs of sickness, infections, or wounds in our bodies. Then, they would use their knowledge of plants and herbs to heal. They knew that horses were not only strong, but we could be gentle as well – if you treated us right. That’s what they believed back then – and how very true that still is.
Time’s Passing
And in those years of 1262, while I carried the stones and built that magnificent bridge, and they rode to war and performed their amazing stunts, things were changing too. Slowly, new techniques were being explored – to harness and improve horse power. They called it a technological revolution, I suppose.
It wouldn’t be too long before we’d see carts rolling over stone-laid roads – instead of using oxen to draw the plough, new tools were developed. Even the designs of our horse-drawn carts and carriages were improved – they’d experiment with stronger, lighter wood for a faster ride. We still had a lot to learn but it was the dawn of an exciting new era – where horses like me, we would continue to adapt, contributing our strength to this changing world!
But, oh my, what a wonderful time it was to be a horse, a horse working and living with its people in a simple but honest way, working together towards the shared purpose of creating a better world for everyone. Now, this is a truth that resonates right through time!
Let’s keep talking, fellow equines, till next time.
Until then, remember to eat your oats and be kind to each other!
Emma, Hayfield, Scotland
