Hello my fellow equines and horse-lovers,
Emma here, a grey draught mare from the bonnie Highlands, writing to you from my cozy stable in Hayfield, near Aberdeen. The winter winds have finally calmed down, leaving a crisp, clean morning air that's a real joy to breathe. And you know what that means, don't you? Spring is just around the corner!
Today I wanted to tell you a little bit about life as a horse in 0259 AD - it's such a fascinating period of history, filled with changes and exciting developments, all viewed from the perspective of us four-legged companions, of course! So grab a bale of hay, settle down, and let's take a journey back in time together.
Now, when I say "0259 AD", I know some of you might be saying "Hold your horses, Emma! That's quite a bit back in time." And you'd be right! We're talking about almost 1,800 years ago, and it was a very different world from the one we know today. For one thing, the Roman Empire was flourishing at the time, though their influence on my little corner of the world in Scotland wasn't all that strong yet. The Caledonians, our fierce and proud native folk, were holding strong against them.
But even without Roman dominance, life for us horses in 0259 was a full one! Just like my ancestors who grazed these rolling hills before me, our days were spent working hard and being vital parts of our communities.
The most common use for horses like me back then, as it is now, was for farming. Ploughing the fields, transporting goods to the markets in small carts pulled by a team, and helping farmers get things done was essential. And let me tell you, I take pride in my work! Nothing feels better than a good day of labour in the fresh air, and there's a certain satisfaction knowing you're part of something bigger.
This wasn't always a peaceful scene, though. We also had our role to play in warfare, although thankfully not in Hayfield. My father, who passed on his wisdom to me, used to talk about the Celts, our neighbours in the south, using us in battles with the Romans. He said there's a power in the charge of a cavalry group that can send the enemy scrambling, their faces filled with terror. My hooves might not have trod the battlefields, but I did witness my own battles, those fought against winter blizzards and the hardships of a life in a harsh environment. We're resilient, though, the horse kind.
While we worked diligently for our human companions, horses like me weren't just mindless work animals. They also enjoyed social events of their own. My grandfather told me stories of how their whole herd, back in his days, would come together at festivals and gather by a stream to celebrate their shared joys. It sounds like a lovely tradition - one we have almost lost, sadly, but perhaps someday, with our busy lives and technology, we'll get that time to be a real herd again.
Now, our human companions in those times, even when facing war, were far less technologically advanced than we are today. They travelled on foot or by horseback. Their houses were humble, often with thatched roofs, built of sturdy timber, their main focus was simple - to survive and stay connected to their families and lands.
In 0259, communication took its own time. There were no fast telegraphs, no flying letters like we sometimes see nowadays in our wildest dreams. The fastest news traveled as fast as the horses, or maybe the fastest of the runners. Imagine that! Sometimes I find it so comforting that technology can be helpful for us. At the same time, I have an affection for simpler times, times of shared moments, times for quiet reflections on the meadow.
While things are a lot more complex and maybe sometimes easier in today's world, I know that the basic spirit of my horse ancestors hasn't changed. We were hardworking, loyal companions. And we still are, striving for our place in the world, pulling our own weight and striving to do our best.
I hope you enjoyed my trip through time. I wish you all happy, healthy days until we meet again!
And remember, the stories we keep about the lives of our ancestors keep our history strong. Tell your own stories to the foals of the future. We horses have a unique history to keep.
Yours always,
Emma
The Grey Draught mare from Hayfield.
PS: I would love to hear from you! What is the history of your kind? What stories have you been told? Tell me what you know! You can comment below, or at the Equiworld forum!
