"Hello fellow equines and lovers of all things horsey! Welcome back to my Equiworld Blog, where I, Emma, a grey draught mare with a fetching white mane and tail, bring you snippets from the fascinating world of horses throughout history."
As you can see, my journey continues, and it's quite the adventure, I can tell you! This month, we’re looking back to the year 1437. Think you know about the year 1437? It’s time for a re-think. Because horses are the thread that stitches together this glorious tapestry we call history!
My life here in Hayfield near Aberdeen is a bit calmer than life in bigger towns. Still, even in a quiet spot, I've seen my fair share of change over my 20 years! Just ask any old horse in a stable like me, and we’ll regale you with tales. I mean, come on, haven't you heard of the Legend of Hayfield? It's all about me! Or at least about my Great Aunt Susan and how she helped saved the Laird's sheep from that awful storm in the spring of 1390...
1437 - What's it Like Being A Horse in Medieval Times?
As you might imagine, horses play a very important part in the daily lives of everyone, and 1437 was no exception! Imagine yourself, dear readers, standing on a hillside in the wind, overlooking a sprawling meadow filled with wildflowers and grazing animals. That's how you’d see us in those times, mostly. We are part of the fabric of everyday life – for ploughing the land, carrying goods to market, for transporting the royal families on their grand tours. Think of me – all 17 hands tall – the sight of a sleek grey draught, ready and willing to be used for farmwork or as a carrier for heavy cargo.
You might be thinking, “Isn’t that kind of hard work?" And you would be right! But we are also companions, partners. It’s about more than work - it's about companionship, a strong bond with your human partner. People talk of a “rider” and a “horse" - it’s more than that. It's about shared responsibility and mutual trust. We understand their needs, they understand ours. And if I can whisper a little secret – I think some of them understand what I say, at least the “soft” humans, who treat us with gentleness. It’s like we understand each other - we read the nuances in a human's voice, and they understand my quiet little whinnies and the sway of my tail!
But that’s enough about the philosophy of life, we need to get down to the nitty gritty. What is the real state of things for the equine world in the year 1437?
1437 in Equestrian History: A Look at Some Important Developments
- "War Horse” - You heard that right! 1437 was smack-dab in the middle of what is now referred to as the Hundred Years' War between France and England. War always causes disruption for horses, as their use for both battle and transport escalates. While I would prefer my hay to war, the reality was that horses played a crucial role on the battlefield. There are lots of battles where horses fought and were hurt, so it is a rather somber area of our equine history. It makes us even more grateful for a peaceful life. Don't worry, though, my little horsey readers! No wars or bloodshed around Hayfield this year, but I’ve heard there are rumors of battles raging on the mainland, far away...
- Breed Development: While most of us are just working horses - you know, the basic breed – some breeders are experimenting with special horse varieties. In England, they have the magnificent Thoroughbred horses. It is fascinating to watch what happens when humans start mixing the breeds up, and this kind of work was becoming a big thing in the year 1437! It's like a fashion trend but for horses, and it leads to all sorts of wonderful new possibilities. There was an event in London, called The Royal Horse Show, where they put the Thoroughbreds on display and folks could watch their beautiful displays of riding. But for the most part, we draught horses - you know the kind, strong as an ox and patient as an elephant! We are what most people rely on to get the job done!
- Royal Horses, A Class of their Own: Remember how I was telling you about that Royal Horse Show? Well, Royalty, like everyone else, had a fascination with horses. That's why all these Royal Horse shows popped up, with displays of dressage (I like that word – it means horse dances – though not the ones you see at the fairs, where the humans dance on us, although sometimes they dance very prettily!). You see the Royal Knights doing displays – imagine all the flashing armor – the prancing, all while these gorgeous Thoroughbreds are leaping high in the air! Then, there’s the king and his royal stables. These stables would be home to magnificent war horses – sleek steeds in shining armor, their bravery rivalled only by their grace and majesty. A whole lot of “look-at-me-and-admire-my-strength” from this breed! It is clear from their style and grace they know they are part of something big. What we lack in agility, we make up for in brute strength and stamina! And don’t get me started on the King’s horses – all those beautiful palfreys – for riding on smooth roads and long trails. They are even faster than the horses who pull carriages, just to give you a hint.
A Word on Farming in Hayfield
Even without the big war stories that make news in other parts of the world, farming is busy work for all of us horses here. This time of year in 1437 is all about getting the land ready for winter – it's important to make sure that everyone has enough to eat, right? So here at the farm in Hayfield, we are at work! We’ll pull the plow through the fields to prepare the ground for next year’s crops – then pull wagons with the freshly harvested grain to the barn. Then, we will use our strong bodies to transport materials to the village to help build new barns and houses.
And on a Saturday, all us horses at the farm gather on the hill to watch as the farm’s oxen take the cart full of manure into the field. Don't laugh – the farmers say manure is great for the soil! Our work really does make a difference to the community. We know all the humans, they know us!
I Hope You Enjoyed This Peek into Equestrian History!
Don’t forget to visit Equiworld.org and read more of my stories. We all have our own amazing tales, so please share your experiences! Let me know what you thought in the comments below, and if you want me to dig deeper into the past, do let me know what years you want to learn about. My friend Lucy, who lives on the farm at a nearby town, thinks we should go back even further than this! But what I really want to do, is take my own time machine – if only for a day! It would be amazing to see horses like me in action!
Until next time!
Emma
