Hooves ahoy, fellow equines! It’s your old pal Emma here, coming at you live from the windswept hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen, where the heather’s in bloom and the air is crisp enough to bite. As a grey draught horse with a white mane and tail, I’m used to the cold, mind you, but that’s no reason to complain about a bit of warmth! It’s a fine day to be a horse, and an even finer one to delve into a bit of history, don’t you think?
Today, I’m going to take you back in time, back to the year 1330. A year that was quite a bit different than ours. A year with no cars, no trains, no tractors – just the power of horses like myself pulling us through! Can you imagine? No engines to make that clanging racket, just the rhythmic thudding of our hooves and the steady, calming breaths of the horses pulling together as one. That’s what it was like then, folks.
You see, back in 1330, horses were the backbone of society. They were the workhorses (pun intended!), the muscle behind agriculture, trade, and even warfare. They were the key to connecting people and moving goods, carrying us through both peace and war. Think about that. That’s a responsibility! And not just any horse could handle it, they had to be sturdy, strong, and brave. It’s a lot like the work we do now, except they used us to transport more than just oats and hay.
Take the farmers, for example. Those hardworking souls wouldn’t have been able to till their fields, plant their crops, or harvest them without us. Horses like myself were crucial for pulling the ploughs, drawing the carts, and delivering the goods. No oats? No flour! No horses? No oats! We were essential to their livelihood and therefore, the lives of the entire village.
I recall the tales of the horses that went into battle alongside the Scottish knights, who had been warring with the English. Brave hearts, those horses! They had to charge into battle, dodging arrows and swords, carrying the weight of knights clad in heavy armor. Imagine the strength and fearlessness it took! Not to mention the dedication. We weren't just hauling wagons, we were on the frontline of history.
You might be surprised to learn, the knights in 1330 were much more dependent on their horses than we might imagine. It wasn’t just about brute force; the knight and horse were an extension of each other, partners in warfare, in the same way we work together with the farmer in our world. And while battles may be quite a distance away, this is how it all ties together - they needed the food, and the goods to keep their troops fighting! That’s how powerful horses were.
But horses weren’t just workhorses, of course. They were also valuable companions. They were cherished and cared for by their owners. Imagine, families would often share a horse, much like a beloved pet, making our life’s work far more important than just simple work. Even now, some folk consider their horses like their closest family member.
Back in 1330, people didn’t have a car or train to go on long journeys either. When families needed to travel, especially over long distances, it was horses they depended on. Journeys across the land could take weeks, so just imagine the resilience needed to handle the constant change in landscapes and even harsh weather. They were trusted, dependable friends on these long voyages. It’s no surprise then that they were valued as highly as their human companions, cared for in ways we may struggle to understand today.
Let's move onto another piece of history from that year, shall we? Do you know about the Black Death, a terrible plague that spread through Europe like wildfire? In 1330, this dreaded illness started to take hold. It was a devastating time, many people and animals succumbed to the plague, and the horses also suffered. It was an unfortunate event that spread death and despair, but for many horses, the work still went on. It was still our job to plough the land and to work with people to help in whatever way they could, which means pulling the wagons filled with supplies or transporting the ill for urgent care. That was how our world operated then - we pulled together as one.
This leads us to the most fascinating aspect of horse life back then: their connection with humans. In 1330, there was no technology or social media to isolate people. The bond with our humans was essential for our livelihood, and theirs. It was like one big family! They fed us, watered us, cleaned us, and looked after us as if we were part of their family. And what did we do? We worked for them, pulled their carts, helped them in their chores.
However, it wasn't just about work! Horses like me often formed deep bonds with their owners. Just as many modern riders are deeply attached to their horses, many people in 1330 would ride horses simply for enjoyment and for the company. They were friends. They were confidants! It wasn’t about performance, speed, or trophies, it was about trust, loyalty, and mutual companionship.
In the absence of TV or other distractions, horse life in 1330 involved constant, rhythmic work, combined with close bonding, something I can appreciate since the tasks I do involve teamwork with my human friends! I am one of several horses that work together, making a job simple, quick, and enjoyable! Just like back in 1330, it’s about that bond we share.
Life was simpler, maybe a little rough around the edges. We weren't spoiled with all the fancy horse food and fancy barns. Horses were fed, watered, and rested, just as they should be, and they served the purpose of the land and their community! But in all this, I’m quite convinced that we had a deep appreciation for the role we played, not just in agriculture or in battles, but in the fabric of daily life itself. Horses were the heart of a community back in 1330.
As you can see, the horses of 1330 led a life full of hardship and determination. They weren’t treated like “show ponies” or as objects of status as sometimes they are in this day and age. But the horses, just as we do today, understood what we were made to do: to serve, to help, and to be dependable partners. And although life in 1330 was vastly different, there’s something admirable about the strength, resilience, and simple camaraderie that made horses so essential in their time. It reminds me of our community today - the respect and mutual reliance that’s still as important now as it was then.
The lessons from that year, 1330, are important ones, even for us in the present day. We owe it to our ancestors to understand and learn from them, to learn about what made them special, to be reminded that strength and determination aren’t just for people, but for horses too. They may have lived a more demanding and perhaps simpler life than us, but they certainly lived it with purpose, resilience, and unwavering loyalty.
I guess we can all learn a thing or two from the horses of 1330. Their lives remind us that there’s more to being a horse than just grazing in a field. They teach us that being dependable, dedicated, and strong are the qualities that really count. As the great poet Robert Burns once said: “A horse that will go with you to the end of the world, will also be your greatest friend.”
So let’s give a neigh to the horses of 1330 and the legacy they have given us! We’ve got a long, storied history as a species, and even as things move faster and technology changes our lives at such an astounding pace, horses, no matter how we are used, are still at the heart of something special. They were a force to be reckoned with in 1330, and in many ways, still are!
Thanks for reading! See you again in another historical episode!
Yours neigh,
Emma
P.S: Don’t forget to check out Equiworld for more fascinating equine history, amazing tales, and amazing connections to other horse communities around the world!
Equiworld.org – your source for all things equine, all across the world, and through history.
