Greetings, fellow equines! Emma here, your grey mare correspondent from Hayfield, nestled amongst the heather hills just outside of Aberdeen. As you know, I am a firm believer that we horses are the heart of history. And let me tell you, this year – 343 AD – is quite a fascinating chapter in the annals of our species!
We're nestled in a lovely time for our kind. As a draught horse, my ancestors toiled for the Romans and built roads and buildings and carried goods all across Europe, which is quite thrilling to think about. Now, my days are far gentler - pulling carts for the local farm and, of course, taking our dear young mistress Elspeth to her dancing classes.
A Day in the Life
This morning was rather brisk. I always feel a little chilly as I rise before dawn, but the crisp air soon fills me with a lovely energy. Elspeth's father, Farmer Murdoch, comes to unlatch my stable door with a cheerful, "Good morning, lass." And just as he brings my favourite bucket of oats, there's young Elspeth - her hair shining like spun gold in the first rays of the sun.
I adore her so, she’s always talking about things horses don't understand like 'algebra', whatever that might be, and loves to sit and stroke my mane. But the dancing! Now that's something I truly enjoy! She ties a tiny velvet ribbon to my mane and then leaps on my back, and we head to the village hall where her dancing lessons take place.
The dancers, of all ages, move with such grace and rhythm, their steps light and flowing, their music uplifting. And, to be honest, the village hall is almost as big as a Roman camp! We still see remains of old camps around these parts, remnants of a distant past that whispers in the wind and through the fields where I graze.
The World of Horses Around Us
What’s new this year in the wider world of horses? We hear tales, of course, on the wind and whispered amongst the other steeds in our stable:
The Empire Marches On
I hear that our Roman neighbours are still active. This is a thrilling thought - you see, my father's father used to tell stories of the Romans building grand roads, even here in our misty land. My great-grandfather said they'd feed the horses the finest barley, the finest grains - and how they used horses in battle to carry riders to conquer new lands, something our stable lads here seem fascinated by. I suppose, sometimes, I'm grateful not to be on a battle-field - but imagine the stories one could tell if one served in the ranks!
New Finds of Horses in the East
We hear whispers, passed by merchants that journey from lands as far as the Far East. There, they say, horses are even more vital to trade, they're the "lifeblood" of the silk road they tell us about - and the Persians! What wonders these horses bring on their backs, it must be a life of constant movement!
A Grey Mare's Musings
My world is simpler. But don’t mistake this for boring! I wake up every day thankful for fresh grass and hay, a hearty breakfast, Elspeth's cheerful songs, and the occasional juicy apple offered to me by Farmer Murdoch's daughter, the gentle Maeve.
The Romans may build their empires with us, and the Eastern merchants may rely on us to traverse vast lands, but even in a sleepy place like Hayfield, we horses play a crucial role. We provide the backbone of agriculture, transportation, and joy. I am not a stallion that marches in a Roman Legion, nor am I a magnificent Arabian horse travelling the silk road.
But here, I stand. And with Elspeth on my back, a symbol of the ancient, enduring bond between humankind and our majestic species.
*Till next time, my fellow equines! Live life to the fullest and neigh with enthusiasm! *
~Emma
