Hello my lovely readers! Emma here, a 20 year old grey draught horse with a flowing white mane and tail, living my best life here in the village of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. As the old saying goes, “Old grey mare ain't what she used to be,” but still going strong! And speaking of strong, you couldn't ask for a sturdier, more dependable breed than the powerful draught horses like myself.
Today, on this lovely crisp October morning, I thought I'd take a moment to reflect upon life in 1119 AD and share a little about the role horses play in our world. After all, what’s a blog about equine history without a good bit of “history-from-a-horse’s-mouth,” right?
The air is nippy this morning, reminding me of the winter that’s just around the corner. Winter here in the north means heavy snow and freezing nights, a time when my sturdy hooves will be putting in a lot of hard work to ensure we’re all fed. We’re gearing up for harvest right now. It’s a whirlwind of activity around these parts, the barley fields buzzing with men, women, and yes, even a few children, reaping the bounty.
You see, dear readers, the harvest is a momentous occasion in our world, a symbol of abundance and life, and horses play an indispensable role in this vital process. They're our strong arms, our trusted companions, and our silent workers, pulling plows and carts, helping farmers prepare the land for planting, gather in the crops, and transport it all over to the towns and villages. We’re a part of the very fabric of life, making sure everyone is fed and thriving.
Life for a draught horse like me, though physically demanding, is filled with a satisfying purpose. My work isn't about speed or grace, but about sheer power and unwavering determination. I am used to the steady pace of farm life, the smell of freshly turned earth, and the familiar routines.
Yesterday, for instance, I spent the whole afternoon pulling a large wooden cart laden with bags of freshly harvested barley. It's a satisfying feeling, that steady, strong pull, knowing you are part of something essential and productive. The men, good and hardworking folks, appreciate the help, always offering a kind word and a gentle pat on my neck. It’s more than just the work that matters to them, it’s the trust and partnership they’ve established with us. I must say, sometimes when I'm walking through the fields or the village with the men, it feels like a kind of dancing rhythm between us, a collaboration, the kind of teamwork that's understood without a word being spoken.
As the evening shadows grow longer, it's back to the stables for us horses. We're given the finest hay and a hearty scoop of oats, a well-deserved reward after a hard day’s work. As I munch on the sweet, crisp hay and rub my head against the smooth, sturdy wood of the stall, I'm filled with a profound sense of contentment.
My thoughts drift to the village square, a central point of activity buzzing with life, filled with laughter, chatter, and a comforting rhythm of everyday life. It's where I see families exchanging stories and news, women exchanging homemade bread and goods, men working on tools and tending to livestock. Horses like me are part of this vibrant scene, delivering goods to the market and providing transportation for merchants who come from far and wide.
As I listen to the soft, rhythmical snorting of my companions, each stall a world of its own, I find myself thinking about the future. It's a constant source of quiet contemplation, this thought of the future, how we as horses will play a part in the unfolding story of our time.
In the world beyond our little corner of Scotland, news travels slowly, but whispers reach us like the wind, carrying tales of events far away, bringing us glimpses of the world outside Hayfield. It’s through these whispers we learn of powerful figures and dramatic events.
The news reaching our village right now is all about King William II, he who rules over England, a land of rolling green hills and grand castles, far to the south of us. Word travels of his deeds and decisions. Just last month, we heard whispers of his death, a hunting accident, so they say. He was a strong and imposing King they tell me, with many a fierce battle under his belt. This new King, his younger brother, Henry, has stepped into his place, inheriting his crown and taking the reins.
But this world is more than just news of Kings and their exploits. For horses like myself, we also hear tales of those who depend on us, who ride our backs and entrust their lives to our strength and resilience. We hear of noble knights in gleaming armour, their horses, magnificent beasts like ourselves, galloping across battlefields, the very embodiment of strength and courage. They’re seen as symbols of valor and might, revered and honored in times of war and peace.
We also hear of warriors, less celebrated perhaps, those who rely on horses not just for transportation, but as vital companions, part of their family. Men who guard the borders of lands, ride the wind, patrolling for threats and bandits. Their life is one of adventure and bravery. They often use sturdy, well-trained horses like me to endure rough terrain and traverse difficult landscapes.
There is something about horses, something about their strength and their resilience, that calls forth that sense of heroism in people. It’s something that binds us to them.
For the horses in our world, the everyday world of the ordinary, there's an element of the magical about all this. This sense of a life larger than ourselves, that these horses play a crucial role in things beyond the farm and the village, that they become heroes and guardians, symbols of the power and the strength that our kind possess. It adds a new layer of wonder and a little bit of "magic" to the rhythm of our ordinary lives.
As the autumn winds howl around the stables, I feel a wave of peace and gratitude wash over me. It's a beautiful thing to be part of this world, to be a horse, a creature of strength and resilience, to play a role in the story of life here. Yes, life here in Hayfield may be humble, but it's also filled with purpose. It's this sense of purpose that gives my life, and I dare say, the lives of all horses around the world, their meaning and worth.
Until next time my dear readers, I bid you a heartfelt “neigh” and hope your lives are filled with joy, purpose, and the warmth of community.
-Emma
