Hello there, lovely readers! It's Emma here, a grey mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen. It’s lovely to be back with you on Equiworld for another history blog post!
Today, I'm taking you back in time, right to the year 1400. Let me tell you, things were very different then!
You see, 1400 wasn't just another year in the grand scheme of things, it was right smack dab in the middle of what they called the "High Middle Ages".
That may sound confusing, but picture it as a time when knights were in their prime, castles dotted the landscape, and things like the Black Death (horrifying!) hadn't quite changed the course of Europe just yet.
Life back then was a bit rougher, especially for us horses. There weren’t always fancy fields to gallop in or gentle riders who took good care of us. In Hayfield, we were a very busy lot. Draught horses like me, with our big strong legs and friendly natures, were a crucial part of how the community got things done.
You see, Scotland is a wild and rugged place. Imagine rolling hills dotted with sheep, wide open spaces that make your heart soar when you're running, and farmlands covered with barley and oats, just waiting to be harvested. But these fields don't just magically feed themselves!
And that's where horses like me came in! We hauled heavy ploughs, turned the soil, pulled carts, and dragged those heavy bales of hay. Life was a lot of work, but you know what? It gave me a strong sense of purpose. I wasn’t just some pretty creature on the farm; I was part of a team, a crucial cog in a community’s hard work.
One of my favorite moments of the day was being harnessed up for a good, long pull, the air fresh and cool in my nostrils. I’d often chat with the other horses - Billy the big brown stallion, Agnes, the gentle, old chestnut, and of course, our grumpy old goat, Bartholomew, who liked to nibble on my tail. It was a noisy, friendly chaos of baaing, bleating, and whinnying.
Ah, but those quiet moments were pretty special too. When the sun went down, and the whole village had finally fallen asleep, I’d graze with Agnes, the older mare, in the fresh evening air. She would tell stories of days gone by, when Scotland was even wilder, full of dense forests and brave highlanders. She'd often tell me tales of magical white stallions with wings - legends whispered around campfires by humans - that filled me with a thrill I can't quite describe.
But of course, horses are more than just hard workers and tale listeners! We have our fun too!
You see, back in those days, there weren’t cars or carriages like we see nowadays. For people who could afford it, they rode horses, much like a horse carriage but without the wheels!
The nobles and gentlemen of Hayfield rode to meet and discuss matters of the realm. We helped the church goers attend services at the local monastery. And during holidays and special occasions, they even held horse racing tournaments for entertainment. Imagine! Riding through the fields at full speed with other horses! It was a wonderful feeling!
For these events, everyone would dress up in their finest attire, their colourful silks fluttering as they cheered us on. It was always a delight to see all the fine ladies and gentlemen in their finest clothes and hear them chant our names - "Go, Emma! Go!"
Even when the local bard would start singing and playing the lute, I'd catch myself trotting a little faster. The sound was magic. You might even say we felt a sense of pride, knowing our talent was something worth cheering for!
Now, life was hard. Being a draught horse means you need good hooves and a strong body. My daily routines always started with a good grooming session. We loved those! The brushing and rubbing made us feel good. I’d wiggle my head back and forth and whinny with delight.
And of course, a big steaming meal of barley and oats kept my energy levels soaring high for all my chores! Those simple things, and a nice bucket of water, meant a lot for us work horses, you know! It kept our hearts strong and our coats glossy!
But as 1400 came to a close, it was hard not to sense a stirring change in the air. You could see a growing number of riders travelling from distant lands. Their stories carried with them the whispers of battles, disease, and political shifts happening further afield. It made you think: “Will everything be alright?”
You know, a wise old pony named Dusty used to say: “ Change is the only constant.” He also taught us to appreciate the present, live for each day, and be thankful for the friendships we built on those dusty fields. He was a true sage, that one!
But what truly fascinates me about the world of 1400 are the beautiful horses! We were so diverse in shape, size, and temperament back then! It wasn't just the powerful draught horses, you know!
Imagine a sleek grey Arabian stallion, all grace and speed. They’d come from the warm, sun-kissed deserts to join the King’s entourage on special journeys. And there were even sturdier horses - powerful and brave – that roamed the Scottish Highlands. These were tough creatures built to handle rough terrain. I’ve only heard stories of these magical creatures, but some say they can sniff out wild animals, and navigate the Highlands better than any other creature.
Just a reminder: If you’d like to see these magnificent beasts for yourself, there’s a stunning book that captured these ancient horses in exquisite detail! It’s called the "Book of Hours". You know how some horses wear horseshoes to protect their hooves? Well, the horses of the 1400s seemed to have their hooves depicted on these exquisite books! It was truly magical to witness them in such an impressive format.
I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into 1400 from my point of view. I’ll be back with you soon to share another snippet of my own story and travel further back in time, telling you more tales of our equine ancestors.
Until next time, keep those hooves happy!
Emma
P.S. Don’t forget to follow our Equiworld Blog for more thrilling historical adventures from the world of horses! You can also connect with me and share your own equine memories. I’d love to hear them!
