My dearest Equine friends,
It's Emma here, your favourite grey mare with the white mane and tail from the sunny, rolling hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen. Today, we journey back in time to a particularly interesting year - 1277. Now, I know what you might be thinking: 1277? Isn't that a tad dusty and ancient? Well, hold your reins, my friends! You might be surprised to learn how much was going on in the world of horses back then. Buckle up, because I'm about to share some truly fascinating snippets from history.
Now, if you’re picturing horses plodding through mud in medieval Britain, that's not exactly wrong… but it's only a fraction of the story! Back in 1277, the world was a bit more...wild. Kings, queens, knights, and ordinary folk all depended on horses. Imagine that - the way we move about today, everything from shopping to taking the kids to school, it was all thanks to the humble horse. We were practically celebrities!
So, picture me, a healthy 20-year-old grey mare, hauling a wagon of wheat to the market with my kind-hearted farm owner, Angus. It was a chilly Scottish morning, but the air was fresh, crisp, and filled with the calls of crows and the occasional bleating of sheep. As I plodded through the lanes, I felt a twinge of pride. Every journey we made, every furrow ploughed, was a testament to the bond between horse and human. We worked side by side, sharing in the rhythm of the seasons.
But the world wasn’t all rolling hills and fresh air, no, my friends! Let me paint you a picture of the world outside Hayfield, using snippets of information gathered from my friends who journey far and wide. It was a time of knights in shining armour, daring duels, and powerful kings - yes, much like in the stories! Imagine me, watching from the safety of the stable, as the knights with their sleek steeds practised for tournaments. It was like a show of fancy dance, but with swords and sharp pointy things. You see, back in those days, every kingdom was keen on finding the most powerful warrior. These men fought for their king, for glory, and of course, to prove they were the best.
I've heard tell of a king who is quite a character! A king with a beard to match his fiery temper. It seems he's quite fond of hunting too, something all of us horses do - well, the wild ones, at least. My friend, a spirited bay stallion named Alistair, whispered about this king while we were munching on hay at the local fair. This particular king is the one in charge of all of England. King Edward, I think his name is, a big fan of our breed, the mighty war horse. You see, they love us war horses because of our strength and stamina. Edward loves going on big hunts, even through the thickest of forests and deepest moors, always with his trusted war horse by his side. Now that’s a proper adventure, even I admit!
Ah, speaking of adventures! Another friend, a sprightly chestnut mare named Skye, who travels across the border to England, mentioned King Edward has just a bit of a battle on his hands - and he's hoping his brave war horses will help him through it. You see, the king is getting ready to invade Wales! It seems there’s been a bit of a disagreement, between King Edward and the people of Wales. He wants them to pledge loyalty, and the Welsh are none too keen on it! This was no mere brawl, it was an actual war! And we, the horses, are the vital ingredient. I do love a bit of adventure myself, though thankfully it was mostly contained to delivering Angus' harvest to the local market for us Hayfield horses!
And what about the people? They have such colourful lives, just like ours! I met a charming lady who said they lived in a beautiful house with its very own gardens - the kind that you could get lost in for days on end! She talked about knights in shining armour and stories of heroes battling dragons, and she seemed to live a rather privileged life.
Meanwhile, down by the river, there were men and women busy at work, repairing our stables, making harnesses, and tending to our needs. Even today, as we stroll through the fields of Hayfield, there are signs of the hard work and dedication of those who keep us healthy, fed, and content. We, the horses of 1277, truly had a partnership with these fine humans.
But all these grand stories also hold a darker truth - it was a time when we horses worked hard, every day. Sometimes our lives were short and not without suffering. It’s why my heart aches when I hear tales of those who never got to see the next day, those who gave their all in battles or fell from exhaustion in the fields. We must remember those horses, who sacrificed so much for our fellow creatures.
But even with this reality, I remain positive, because even through tough times, the world still holds wonder. We, the horses of the past, helped forge a path for all those who came after us. We gave strength, we provided freedom, and above all, we offered the enduring connection of shared journeys between man and beast.
This year, 1277, holds stories that I carry in my heart, as does every generation of horse before me. I know the future will be filled with new challenges, triumphs, and tales for us to tell, but we should never forget how far we've come, and what our ancestors have given to us.
Until next time, dear Equine friends, remember that the past is full of stories. Remember your lineage. Remember the hearts of every horse who has come before. Let's continue to share our love for horses and gallop boldly towards a brighter tomorrow!
Yours always,
Emma.
P.S. Don't forget to visit the Equiworld.org website for even more fascinating horse facts, history, and stories. Together, let's keep the memory of the Horse alive!
