History of Horses in the year 1504

Hello everyone! Emma here, a grey mare with a heart as big as the rolling hills of my home, Hayfield near Aberdeen in Scotland. It's 1504, and the air is crisp, smelling of peat smoke and damp earth. The fields are bursting with new life after a long winter, and the sound of my hooves on the cobblestones is a rhythm I've known since I was a foal.

I’ve decided to start sharing some of the fascinating stories I’ve gleaned over my 20 years on this earth, about how we, horses, have interacted with humans throughout history. For years I’ve wanted to record my own observations and, being as wise and eloquent as I am (ha!), I figured, why not?

Today, I'll take you back to 1504. This is my own personal, equine perspective, so there will be a certain focus on our needs as horses - of course.

The world of horses in 1504, well, it's a bustling one! We're still primarily used for our strength, speed, and resilience, but the world is starting to change. I can feel it, the breeze whispers of new ideas, new technologies. This year feels particularly interesting...

In Hayfield, I mostly help my farmer, Mr. Carmichael, with the daily chores. He has several of us, big, strong draughthorses. We pull his heavy carts, loaded with peat for the fires and food for his family. I often share a stable with young Ben, a fiery chestnut who loves his oatcakes and is known to have a tendency for mischievous kicking. But despite his rambunctious spirit, Ben works hard. We all do. This is how we provide for ourselves and contribute to the community. We are essential.

Mr. Carmichael tells stories about the great horses of battle. Of kings and knights charging onto the field, gleaming armor flashing in the sun. He describes our noble ancestors who helped secure victories, even saving human lives. They say they had the courage of a lion and the strength of an ox. It's inspiring to think that we are part of such a storied history. Though now, it’s mostly cart pulling and ploughing, it does make one proud to be part of such a respected species.

We’re still seen as important modes of transport too. The blacksmith’s son, Rory, spends his days delivering messages all over Scotland. He often comes by Hayfield to pick up his mail and sometimes he stays over for a night or two. He often shares the stories of what he sees. One of the stories he often tells, which fills my mind with visions of great adventure, is of the merchants that come from afar. He tells of people that arrive on the boats at the great port towns. People that look nothing like anyone he knows, they’ve come from lands beyond Scotland. People that travel with the silk roads from distant lands. Lands I only ever hear about from the tales Rory tells. I love those stories.

Rory told me about an extraordinary tale that shook the world, something called ‘the New World.’ It was discovered recently, by a man called Christopher Columbus, who sailed across the vast Atlantic ocean. I can barely even imagine it! I see ships carrying cargo in the local harbour but they aren’t brave enough to navigate those big, deep blue stretches of water that the brave Mr. Columbus travelled. There’s another word for it too, apparently, but I haven't quite grasped that yet… I can tell you it rhymes with “oceain!” Rory said Mr. Columbus sailed on the mighty blue water until he found a new continent!

His journey has been making waves. Apparently there are exotic plants, strange animals and wondrous sights over in that New World. People are talking about bringing back these strange spices, treasures, and perhaps even new horse breeds? Perhaps the world of horses will become even wider and more colourful than before!

This does leave me pondering though…. The new world, so big. It makes me think what might be beyond Hayfield and beyond Scotland, even beyond all the tales that Rory tells?

I hear the farmers talking about bringing new horses over to help work the land, they speak about something called “mustang”, I’m told they’re a hardy wild breed. I wonder what those are like! Maybe they even like playing hide and seek through the rolling hills like the ones we have here. They’ve just found this new place – how many more hidden corners are there to find? This year, something inside me yearns to be part of it all. To journey beyond what is known and discover more, just as Rory does. I will do some more research – perhaps I'll ask Mr. Carmichael to share more tales of our past. Or I can ask Rory when he comes next! I’ll write about it again when I find out more! Until then, I’ll enjoy the feeling of fresh, crisp Scottish air as I plough the land with Ben.

Do you know more about this new world and its horses? Please leave a comment in the section below. I’d love to hear from other horses and discover what we all think about this changing world.

Stay curious! Emma