Greetings fellow equines! Emma here, writing from my home in the lovely Hayfield, near Aberdeen. The sun is shining, a crisp Scottish wind blows through my mane, and I feel that delightful thrill of the world opening up to me. This month marks my twentieth year, and you know what that means… it’s time for my own horse history blog!
I’m sure you all know, horses play an essential part in the world around us. They are our very breath, our lives intertwined with humanity in a way few others understand. So, in honour of our wonderful history, I decided to chronicle it, year by year, as I learn it.
And what a year 86 AD was! The world is a place of change, even for us, the sturdy and steadfast horses. As we kick off this new chapter of my blog, let’s dive in together, and explore what the world held for us 1,900 years ago.
The Roman Empire and its Influence on the Horse World
My, what a year for us equine friends in 86! I wouldn’t say I have met any Roman horses directly, but you only have to look to the world around you to know that the Empire is a force to be reckoned with. They are reaching their power peak right now, reaching across the Mediterranean like the wide spread of an eagle’s wings, impacting us all with their military and political sway.
You wouldn’t believe the stories I hear! The Romans are apparently building a wall to hold back a bunch of "barbarians" north of their lands, known as Picts. They are a force to be reckoned with, but so are the horses of Rome, strong and sturdy like oak trees in their legions!
This isn't all about warfare, though. Trade routes criss-cross the known world, filled with Roman horses hauling everything from building materials to provisions. Imagine the magnificent journeys these horses take! This expansion has changed the world of horses – it’s created a constant demand for robust horses for hauling and warfare, driving an increase in breeding for stamina, strength and intelligence. We all know these traits make for an exemplary horse!
I must say, the stories I hear of the chariot races in the great city of Rome are awe-inspiring. They tell me these horses run so fast they are like the wind, with chariots swaying behind them as they reach speeds I can hardly imagine. To be such a star, loved by thousands who come to see the races, I can only dream of that glory!
The Domesticated Horse: Life on the Farms
Now, life isn't all chariot races and galloping alongside soldiers! We've always played a key role in farming, a job we know all too well. You see, back in Hayfield, our daily lives are very familiar, as they were in 86 AD! We are a mix of native breeds - powerful draught horses built for pulling plows and carts, and nimble ponies used for herding cattle. These are the roles that haven't changed for millennia! We spend our days working alongside human hands, helping with harvests, pulling plows, carrying goods – all with quiet diligence.
My life is quiet compared to those horses in Rome, but fulfilling. I love the feel of the earth beneath my hooves as I pull a wagon of hay through the rolling Scottish hills. I’ve helped grow potatoes, and barley. In the evenings, I rest peacefully under the open sky, gazing up at the stars and the magnificent Scottish aurora. You know, that emerald and purple dancing light. It’s mesmerizing, reminding us all of the vast beauty that lies beyond the farm.
What the Horses Whisper in 86 AD
Our world is changing, it seems. This year, for the first time, we hear tales of faraway countries being brought into the fold of the Roman Empire. We feel it in the shift of trade routes, in the whispers carried on the wind from the east and west. But for most of us, our daily routines remain unchanged.
This is the true strength of our bond with humankind. We work with them, beside them, for them. We know their dreams and their hardships. Their joys and their losses, we have felt them all alongside our human companions. They understand us as much as we understand them. This understanding is what binds us, what makes us more than just two species; it makes us partners, two parts of a magnificent whole.
We live through them, and they live through us. That is the enduring tale of horses and mankind - a timeless, heartfelt narrative of strength, kindness, and a profound partnership, etched onto the very fabric of our world.
Looking to the Future: My Little Wishlist for Us
Even in the shadow of the mighty Roman Empire, even with all the change happening, our strength and resilience shine through. My dream for all horses in 86 is that we will be treated with love and respect. We deserve nothing less. To know we will all have enough to eat and good pastures to rest in is my most cherished hope for our community.
What do you, dear reader, think of this year in our equine history? Did your family have any memorable moments, or do any horses of note have tales to tell? I encourage you all to share your experiences and memories.
Until next time, may your oats be plentiful and your hearts content!
Yours in mane and tail,
Emma
Hayfield, Aberdeen
www.equiworld.org
