Hello there, fellow equines and equine enthusiasts! Emma here, a grey mare with a heart of gold, living a simple life in the rolling hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen. Today, we’re stepping back in time to the year 387 – yes, that’s right, 387 years after the birth of Christ! I hope you’ll join me as we explore what life was like for horses, those of us in the British Isles, especially, back then.
It’s always a bit strange, looking back at those times – the world was so different. We didn’t have fancy bits or snazzy saddles like they do nowadays. No, our tack was much simpler – made of leather, maybe a bit of metal here and there. Most of us wore heavy work collars, hauling plows and wagons. Life for a horse in those days was all about hard work and resilience, much like life on a Scottish farm today.
Now, for the year 387… A tumultuous time! We were smack dab in the middle of the Age of Migrations – big changes sweeping across Europe, with peoples coming and going. For a horse like me, it meant new faces, different commands, maybe even new jobs. I remember some of the farmhands muttering about the "Scotii" – you might know them as the Scots! They were a bit fierce, but a good breed for a work horse – always up for a challenge!
It wasn’t all hardship, though! Back in 387, a very special breed was emerging – the mighty Shire horse. Now, they might not have been a full-blown Shire just then, but you could feel the beginnings of that mighty lineage – powerful, gentle, and built for endurance. They could work tirelessly in the fields, hauling heavy loads and helping farmers cultivate the land. Seeing a Shire pull a plow was a sight to behold. The sheer power was incredible. It's no wonder the farmers relied so heavily on horses, even more than today! We were their engines, their transport, their muscle.
The year 387 was also an important time for chariot racing, especially across the Roman Empire. Back then, chariot races were an extravagant spectacle, attracting huge crowds. While my life was more rural and less glamorous, I do enjoy reading about it! Imagine the thrill of the crowd, the roar of the chariot wheels, the hooves pounding the ground, and the sheer excitement. Not everyone was up to the pace, though! Chariot racing demanded strength, stamina, and a calm head – not everyone was cut out for the roaring crowds!
Away from the roar of the stadium, though, I was more at home with the quiet beauty of a peaceful meadow, grazing on the lush grass and basking in the sunshine. These are simple pleasures, but we horses understand these quiet moments. And remember, our role in society back then went beyond plowing fields or hauling wagons!
There was the humble journey, transporting people and goods across land. There was the importance of being a family's loyal companion. We horses were their workhorses, their confidants, their friends. In these times of uncertainty, it was nice to know I had a role, even if it wasn’t the dazzling arena of chariot racing!
As we wind down our trip back in time, we must not forget that in 387, we weren’t just beasts of burden – we were an integral part of society. Imagine the stories we've witnessed, the changes we've seen, the bonds we’ve built!
And even today, those of us who are still part of the agricultural life find great contentment in being a crucial part of our community! From hauling crops to pulling wagons, the horses are an essential part of maintaining the heartbeat of life on a farm.
But before I get lost in all those stories and memories, let's close with some thoughts for the future! What’s next? More new breeds? New challenges to meet? Maybe new friends to make? It is an exciting time to be a horse, and I’m looking forward to discovering all that's ahead of us!
Until next time, keep on trotting!
Your fellow mare,
Emma
