Hello fellow equines and equine enthusiasts!
It's Emma here, your trusty grey draught mare with a snowy mane and tail. I'm writing from Hayfield, a small village nestled in the highlands near Aberdeen, Scotland. As you all know, I’m quite partial to a good tale, and so, I've decided to share with you some of my thoughts about what life was like for horses back in the year 1315. It's a rather interesting time in history, full of turmoil, change, and surprisingly, a good deal of equine activity.
A World of War & Peace:
1315 marked the continuation of a bitter struggle - a conflict between the Scots and the English, known to you humans as the “Wars of Scottish Independence.” Now, I’m not one to indulge in political squabbles, but I can’t deny that this conflict had a significant impact on our equine lives. As horses, we were crucial for both armies. Think of it as a chariot race, but without the shiny gold chariot wheels. It was quite a sight, actually. The fields of Scotland echoed with the thunder of hooves and the clang of metal.
For my fellow equines, this period meant gruelling marches, hauling supplies, and braving the uncertainties of warfare. Even our young foals, full of youthful exuberance, were quickly enlisted as chargers, learning the bitter lessons of survival. I myself have never served on a battlefield - much prefer a sturdy cart or a plough, you see, and there was certainly no lack of those!
A Horse's Life - Beyond Battles:
Of course, 1315 wasn't solely defined by war. While humans were preoccupied with their disputes, our lives as horses were firmly intertwined with the fabric of society. Our primary duty remained agricultural. Fields needed ploughing, crops needed harvesting, and for that, we were the essential workforce. We pulled plows through the rich soil, hauling carts laden with wheat and oats, our steady hooves a rhythmic counterpoint to the daily grind.
Imagine, you’d think: my day, as simple as it sounds, could consist of dragging a plough, hauling a load of barley, maybe a bit of grazing and grooming at the end of the day, and some hearty hay before returning to a cozy stable. And all that, just for the opportunity to witness the glorious colours of a Scottish dawn over a rolling barley field - a truly magnificent sight.
Beyond Hayfield:
The world was our playground back then, and so while I remained anchored in the rolling fields of Hayfield, others, my equine brethren, roamed the countryside. They journeyed through the highlands, hauling heavy wagons to trade routes and bustling cities. They transported people on horseback, some becoming trusty companions for their owners, forging a bond beyond duty. They carried merchants, bringing valuable goods and enriching villages with new ideas and fresh spices. It was an exciting time, brimming with journeys both grand and small, all propelled by our powerful limbs.
The Year of the Horses?
Despite the shadows of war, 1315 saw the birth of innovative ideas in the world of horses. We witnessed the increasing importance of horse breeds - particularly the noble warhorse, a powerful breed celebrated for their speed and endurance. The noble grey Steeds, much like me, were employed as reliable workhorses, capable of handling diverse tasks - from carting heavy loads to tilling land, a testament to our resilience and practicality. It was also around this time that horse breeding began to evolve. We were carefully paired for specific traits - size, strength, temperament, making sure we remained the indispensable lifeblood of a nation's needs.
Sharing the History with You
So there you have it, dear reader, my perspective on 1315, a year where war intertwined with life’s simple necessities, all propelled by the power of our mighty hooves. But for us horses, the year wasn't about politics or battles, it was about pulling our weight, serving a purpose, and sharing the triumphs and hardships of our time. Even though we didn’t have a voice then, our legacy as a symbol of strength and resilience remained constant, shaping the tapestry of our lives, even in these tumultuous times.
Until next time, keep your heads high and your hooves strong. And remember, if you ever find yourself near Hayfield, be sure to come say hello.
Emma Hayfield, Scotland EquiWorld.org
