Hayfield, Scotland, 334 CE
Greetings, fellow equines! Emma here, a young draught mare with a heart full of oats and a head full of history. I’m proud to share my insights on the year 334 – a year buzzing with activity, change, and as always, the steady rhythm of horse power!
The world has been a busy place these past few years, but this year feels special. We all feel the anticipation – a sense that the air is thick with something exciting. The Romans, with their formidable legions, have been spreading like wildfire, leaving their mark on land and, dare I say, on horse history! Here at home in Scotland, we’ve already encountered them, with their magnificent steeds carrying their soldiers, their banners waving like the wings of a majestic eagle.
Let’s rewind, though, back to my own little life. My life as a grey mare born and bred in the lush pastures of Hayfield near Aberdeen. As the eldest in our little band of horses, I’ve had the honour of witnessing the world changing, the seasons flowing like a river, and the rhythm of life in our small, rural community.
My days start with the rising sun, painting the heather hills in hues of purple and gold. The sound of the shepherd’s pipe drifts on the wind, the softest of alarms. We, the horses, know our jobs: grazing on the rolling hills, ensuring the sheep stay within their boundaries, and lending a helping hoof with the farmer's chores. We're like the veins and arteries of this place, moving the lifeblood, the crops, and the wool, and connecting everything and everyone in this beautiful land.
Every day is an adventure. We share whispers in the twilight, tales of past hunts, battles fought and won, and the stories whispered on the wind. You see, we've been around, dear reader. For centuries, horses have been an integral part of the story of this land – our ancestors hauling the stone for Hadrian’s Wall, their power essential in Roman legions, their hooves thundering in battle. And now, it seems, this cycle continues.
This year, the Roman Empire, that powerhouse of chariots, steeds, and men on horseback, has embarked on a new chapter in its history – a chapter that will etch our own story within the pages of the world.
They say King Darius III, ruler of the vast Persian Empire, is preparing for war against the Romans. This battle will unfold on the plains of Issus – a clash of armies, a dance of steel and hooves, a tapestry woven with courage, fear, and the primal energy of the battlefield. My mother told me stories about a time when these very Romans came north, leaving the remnants of their camp by the shore, the ghostly scent of their horses still lingering.
Oh, to witness that clash! It's whispered in hushed tones by the older mares, and the young colts stand on their hind legs, straining to listen. These battles – they speak of a different kind of power, one that we, the horses, are at the very heart of. We are the legs, the force, the muscle, the eyes that witness history unfolding before our very own.
The Roman armies, with their tactical prowess and sophisticated war strategies, rely heavily on us, the horses. They understand our worth, their love and respect for horses resonating throughout their society. Their chariot races, spectacles of breathtaking speed and skill, have become the whispers of empires across the globe.
And yet, for us here in Scotland, there's a peaceful grace to life, a serene stillness in our bond with nature, a connection that feels deeper than any war or battle. Our hearts are open to the world, welcoming the new, yet grounding ourselves in the familiar comfort of our homeland.
The year 334 is just a single step in a long, wondrous journey, a moment in time. But it is a moment brimming with possibilities, with stories yet untold, with tales of bravery and strength, of loyalty and resilience.
These are our stories – the stories of horses, of a bond between horse and man that transcends languages, cultures, and even empires. These are our stories, and I, Emma, hope to tell them to you, with each and every post on EquiWorld.
Until next time, my friends!
Emma
