Greetings, fellow equines and horse-lovers! It's Emma here, a 20-year-old grey draught mare, writing from the heart of Scotland. The heather is in full bloom here in Hayfield near Aberdeen, a glorious purple tapestry spreading across the moors. Today I thought I'd delve into my diary (it's a lovely old leather-bound book that my previous owner gave me – though I prefer a good scratch behind the ears for recording important moments!), and share some musings about life as a horse in the year 0164 AD.
I can remember back to a time when horses were the only way to get about – aside from the odd stubborn donkey, of course. I still think of it as the “golden age” of horses. We weren’t just beasts of burden, we were essential members of society, carrying people, goods, and ideas from one place to another. And while I must admit there were challenges – I have seen my share of bad weather and treacherous paths – being a horse has its perks. For instance, being a working horse meant being part of a strong, supportive team, sharing stories and experiences with my companions while hauling the farm wagon.
Now, before I get carried away, I’ll get into the nitty-gritty of what life in 0164 looked like for me.
The Daily Grind - A horse’s life can be busy, full of routine, yet strangely rewarding. Mine starts before the sun rises. It is a bit of a shock, even in the summer, as the sun in this region doesn’t actually get over the horizon till later. Even still, there is light. It doesn't matter whether the day is sunny or cold, I rise to the morning sounds of the birds and my stable-mates jostling for attention. My own stall is nestled beside that of my dear friend, Jasper, a handsome black gelding with an almost iridescent sheen to his coat. I will often greet him with a soft whinny as soon as I wake.
The morning starts with a thorough groom, a ritual I have enjoyed for all of my 20 years. There's something so soothing about a firm, even stroke of the brush, especially from my stable boy, young Finnegan, who is growing tall, with a laugh as light as a lark. Finnegan seems to truly understand us. He’s still learning the trade, but you can see the love for horses in his eyes and it shines through. Then comes the feed, oats mixed with barley, sometimes topped off with the odd, tasty carrot.
With our stomachs full and our coats gleaming, we are harnessed to the farm wagon. I enjoy my job; it's a good way to be part of the day's work. Pulling the cart filled with fresh produce, going to the mill, or delivering the mail gives me a sense of accomplishment. The wind whistling in my mane as we speed through the countryside is invigorating.
There are the quieter days too – hauling logs, ploughing the fields, or tending to the crops. While a long day of hard labour can feel taxing, knowing that I’m part of something essential is a humbling feeling. And let's not forget the joy of being part of a larger, unified group of horses, whether we're sharing our meals in the stable or joining forces for a grand farm gathering.
*Community - *The horse world is full of chatter. I enjoy these conversations, especially with the older horses. Our shared experiences have led us to stories of grand voyages, feats of strength, and even those tales that might give a young foal chills in the dark! They are the wise old souls who have seen it all. It is amazing how a flick of the ears, a flick of the tail, or even a look in the eye can tell you all sorts of things about another horse’s experiences and emotions. The stories always fascinate me – I could sit and listen to them for hours, about those times when we were the heart and soul of a travelling community. Of course, we don’t dwell only on the good. Sometimes it's important to talk about the difficulties and hardships that we've endured as well, and share how we overcome challenges and persevere. It's through these shared stories, through the struggles and the victories, that we forge unbreakable bonds, strengthening the whole equine community.
News - Recently, we heard news of a horse fair being held in the town of Edinburgh. Everyone, especially the younger horses, are getting excited about it. The tales of the merchants and travelling traders are all over Hayfield. You hear them in every stable, especially at night as we get our late evening meal of hay. Stories of magnificent breeds from across the land, of horses adorned with glittering tack and intricate decorations - this fills me with a twinge of nostalgia, perhaps even a tinge of regret. It's difficult not to be swayed by the glamour that surrounds them - but then, you remember why the horses at the fairs don’t carry loads on their backs or plough fields for hours. Each of them has a different story to tell, each has their role in the bigger picture.
The young horses will all have different stories to share as well, but what we old souls need to remind them of is that there’s more to the world than being a beautiful face in a grand spectacle. There is a great joy to be found in everyday life. I’ll admit that, being a simple workhorse doesn't seem to be the exciting career that the fair-going horses experience, but I still think I'm making a difference. The community wouldn't survive without its farm workers - horses who are reliable and tough, helping people go about their day, get to market, deliver essential supplies - it is a proud job, believe me.
And I believe it will remain a part of life for all of us here for many years to come, even with the horses that pull ornate carriages for the lords and ladies. The future, they say, may hold even more for us horses – carriages for transport, for carriages for pleasure - all this news, with whispers of steam-driven contraptions – will hopefully offer many a horse a different career! Perhaps someday even the more refined, gentle, smaller horse, a thoroughbred for instance, could be part of a farmer’s world! Only time will tell!
My World - In the end, however, it all comes down to simple things - a warm stable at night, good food, the satisfaction of hard work well done, the laughter and gossip with the other horses, the touch of Finnegan's hand when he gives me a good brushing and, most importantly, knowing I'm part of a community where we care for each other, respect each other and work together to achieve a greater goal - carrying our community to a better place, to a better life. There is more than just me in the stable - of course. We are many - we are all part of the same community, and as much as I love life here in the farm at Hayfield, and though it might seem like simple work, I know that together we are making a real difference in our community - one hoovestep at a time.
Keep your noses to the ground, and let's keep the story of horses alive. Stay well and let’s meet again, soon! Emma.
