From my stable at Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland, greetings dear fellow equines! It’s Emma here, your trusty grey draught horse with the penchant for writing. This month marks another year in the long and storied history of our kind. Buckle up, because I’m taking you on a galloping journey through 0243, a year that was bursting with news for all of us, whether we were pulling a plough, racing across the track, or standing majestically under the shadow of the Roman Empire.
Let's talk Rome, shall we? It seems the Romans, ever the horse-loving folk, had plenty to celebrate in 0243. You see, it’s in this very year that Emperor Claudius passed away. He had a real fondness for horses, actually, going by all the equestrian statues and events during his reign. A bit of a legend, this Claudius, even though history tells of him once getting stuck in a theatre for the duration of a play - possibly because his chariot got blocked by his wife Messalina's chariot, causing quite the scandal.
And as if this weren't enough to discuss, there was even a new emperor in charge - the infamous Nero! It’s said he had a penchant for a fast horse himself and a fine pair of chariot wheels, not to mention a rather impressive stable of thoroughbreds. All that galloping probably made him quite the expert on how to get around quickly – a skill that would come in handy for all those lavish parties, which are also said to be taking place right now. I do have a friend, who is known to travel across these lands and is fond of sharing gossip. She assures me that Nero and his Roman charioteers are creating quite a stir.
Back to my neck of the woods, or more accurately my meadow, we’ve got quite a few horses in Hayfield, all with a knack for making life a bit more… equestrian! Our humans still need us, bless their souls, especially for getting about in the beautiful countryside, bringing in supplies, and transporting materials for all their grand building projects.
In Hayfield itself, things are bustling. Our local farmers rely heavily on us for cultivating the rich soil, providing for their livestock and ourselves. As for myself, I am feeling as strong as ever. My lovely white mane and tail, so admired by the village children, are gleaming under the crisp Scottish sun, ready to tackle any task. I, personally, am quite enjoying my work!
But it’s not all about work, you know. Sometimes, the local villagers host a “horse fair” for everyone in the area to get together. It's an event for trading and exchanging gossip. Some humans bring along their fancy stallions and their beautiful mares for people to admire, even some of the finer breeds from further afield like the Northumbrian Grey and the Irish Cob! The event often concludes with the "best-of-show" contest. Imagine, standing tall and proud, surrounded by your peers, with the crowd chanting your name. Such joy!
Speaking of “joys,” this past spring I found a new favourite treat: dandelions! The village children sometimes offer us dandelions when they are out foraging in the meadow. Apparently, they can even be made into delicious salad by the humans. It does give me an excuse to spend more time rolling around on the fresh grass, just sniffing the ground for those juicy dandelion flowers!
While there is a lot of talk of exciting adventures beyond my own meadows, there is something lovely about staying close to home, being part of the community, and appreciating the simpler things in life – a beautiful day, fresh grass, and, of course, a kind human friend to share it all with!
Well, my dear fellow equines, I'm afraid my blog is coming to a close for now. Do keep in touch. Let me know what exciting news your local pastures are hosting!
Until next time, Emma
