History of Horses in the year 0036

Hello fellow equestrians! Emma here, a grey draught mare with a penchant for history and a love of all things horsey. It's a blustery day here in Hayfield, near Aberdeen. The wind is whipping through the fields, the air is crisp and clean, and the sky is a beautiful, bright blue. It’s the kind of day that makes you feel grateful to be alive. It’s a day that makes me think about all that's come before us as a species, about the evolution of horses and their impact on human history.

Today I’m going to share with you what I know about the year 0036 - that's 2,017 years ago. To say things were very different for us horses in those days would be an understatement!

You see, around the time of the year 0036, the world looked much different to us than it does today. The Roman Empire, for instance, was at its peak. And what does that mean for horses? Well, lots! You see, Romans loved their horses, or rather, they loved the use of horses. Horses were used for everything! Think transportation, carrying heavy goods and materials, even as part of the mighty Roman army. Our world revolved around serving mankind, especially those mighty legions that marched all over Europe! We even played a crucial role in building some of the greatest structures you know - like Hadrian's Wall!

Just imagine, walking with our Roman comrades across snow-covered lands in winter! It wasn't always comfortable or easy, but we were essential for these grand undertakings. Some of us had beautiful harnesses and decorated tack, while others toiled with simple ropes and sturdy leather. Even our everyday lives were dictated by Roman law - every movement, every command, meticulously outlined! It was an interesting, albeit somewhat restrictive, period for us, but the Roman presence shaped the history of horses in a profound way.

Life here in Hayfield is quite different from our Roman counterparts. The weather is certainly cooler and the landscape, quite honestly, less flat, making life harder for some horses. That said, the rugged, rolling terrain makes our feet and legs stronger, more sturdy.

There are fewer grand Roman structures here, but Hayfield is full of charming farmhouses and smaller settlements with people who depend on horses for many tasks: pulling plows, hauling wood, travelling from farm to village, even toiling in local mills. We are integral to this small community - an inseparable part of their daily lives!

However, there’s more to us than just practicality, you see. While the Romans focused on our use in daily affairs, we also had a place in their leisure time - in their sports, races and chariot rides! I hear tell from the old horses of legendary charioteers racing around Roman stadiums to cheering crowds - an incredible display of skill and speed, and that's where I feel the fire truly ignited!

Today, here in Hayfield, we still race - albeit in a far less extravagant way. There are annual horse races in nearby villages that attract the best, the fastest horses from all around. I’m too big for racing these days, but the legend of our speedy ancestors remains strong! It’s inspiring to think that horses, in every corner of the world, whether they're sturdy workhorses like me or graceful racehorses, have such an impact on people.

I'm still learning all the ways horses have contributed to human history, but I know that they are an essential part of human civilisation!

Here in Scotland, though, things get a bit more mystical! The humans tell stories of mythical creatures, horses who can change form and live in the water! These, they say, are the kelpies! While some find these stories unsettling, they certainly stir the imagination. They tell us of powerful creatures who embody the beauty, the power and the untamed wilderness of the land.

Now, as for whether or not the kelpies exist is open for debate! But whether real or just a story, their existence points to a truth we as horses should hold dear: there’s something special about our connection to the earth. And maybe, just maybe, there's a little bit of magic within us all, waiting to be unleashed.

I know that, even though the world looked different in 0036, our role as horses has remained fundamentally important. We are, after all, companions, protectors, and partners to humans. And that's a bond that endures throughout history.

Do join me next time when I tell you about another time in history! It's sure to be a tale as intriguing and fascinating as the last!

Until then, neigh for now!

Emma