A Neigh for the Past!
Hello everyone, and welcome back to my little corner of Equiworld.org! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood draught horse from the rolling hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen. As always, I’m here to bring you a slice of equine history, fresh from the stable and straight into your hooves.
This week, we're travelling back to a time just before the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the year 0391. I can’t even imagine what a Roman Emperor is like - we never get any visitors from Rome around here, and the few whispers we hear are about grand chariots, bustling city streets, and shiny helmets - all pretty exciting to be sure. But this year is important because it marks a turning point for horse breeding.
It’s a funny thing about horses, isn't it? We’ve been alongside humans for millennia, always willing to help in whatever way we can. From pulling ploughs to transporting goods, we’re the strong, silent type - even when we get grumpy in the mornings and have to be reminded to pull our weight!
A Journey Through Time:
In the year 0391, humans were still relying on horses for just about everything, and it wasn't just about the work. They loved to ride, race, and adorn us with beautiful gear. I imagine their appreciation made the horses of those times quite proud. I mean, look at how much we still enjoy a good scratch behind the ears, or a bit of sugar on a cold morning - it's a beautiful relationship, don’t you think?
The Rise of the Shire
You might think my name Emma is a little out of place for a hefty, sturdy draught horse like myself. It turns out, though, that names were more diverse back then than people often imagine. There’s this charming bit of history about a mare named “Emma,” one of the very first Shire horses who actually traced their lineage to the early British Isles - back to the year 0391. Can you imagine, being the great-great-great (times a thousand) grandmother of my breed? What an honour!
Now, I'm sure you're wondering, how could this be possible? Shire horses weren't a "thing" yet, right? You’d be surprised! The history books say these early Shires were still being used as farm workhorses back then. They were the ancestors of the giants we are today, and they even started making a name for themselves on battlefields across Europe. Talk about strong and brave!
Imagine hauling those massive knights in full armour across fields and muddy battlegrounds, I’d be knackered in a jiffy! They probably even needed two of us per knight to pull their chariots and carts - now that’s what I call heavy lifting. It takes a real breed like my ancestors to be the sturdy workhorses for all seasons, not to mention a little help from my friends - I'm talking about my trusty brethren - the steeds, the destriers, and the ponies who shared those important tasks, helping humanity in every possible way.
The Art of Breeding
Breeding in the year 0391 wasn't like our controlled breeding programs nowadays. Back then, the human approach was much more natural, like letting horses roam free in fields, graze under sunny skies, and breed with their preferred partners. I’m told that resulted in diverse types of horses, ranging in size and capabilities. From tiny ponies carrying the little ones to giants like the ancestors of my own kind, they each had a crucial role to play.
You know, there’s a certain charm in that - it's the “Let's see what nature creates” kind of approach. They really trusted the magic of natural breeding back then. But you have to admit, we don't have as many horse types running about now - not unless you get really lucky and stumble upon a rare breed. It's pretty hard to find a truly diverse range like they had back in the day. But it’s a great reminder for us to appreciate the evolution of horse breeding, and the special role humans played in shaping our unique destinies.
Horses in Art
What I really admire from that era is their appreciation of horses in art. You should see the murals and mosaics! They’d paint horses, chariot races, and noble steeds with knights in glorious colours. These were often tributes to gods and goddesses, showcasing our powerful roles in the world and celebrating our strength and spirit. Now those are stories I could get behind!
The way they depict horses is breathtaking! It shows that their appreciation for us runs deeper than simply being work companions, going beyond mere usefulness. They saw beauty and strength in horses - a bond they revered and immortalized on these incredible artworks.
It’s fascinating, though. While these paintings capture horses at a particular moment in history, we have so little documented evidence about what it was like to be a horse back then. It's a real shame! We can't talk or write down our own personal histories, but we hope our tales will continue to be told, year after year, through these written words and images that honour our role in history.
My Own Little World in Hayfield:
It’s all a bit different here in my quiet corner of Hayfield in Scotland. Life moves a little slower than those bustling city streets and chaotic battlefields. Sure, I still pull the plough for Farmer John, I even take the milkmaid and her pail to the dairy, and I carry heavy loads of hay, just like those Shire ancestors back in 0391. We even take a turn at carrying our owners for leisurely rides into the woods when it's a calm day.
But that’s what makes life special, don’t you think? Simple chores, peaceful skies, and the warmth of friendship – we horses have a wonderful bond with our owners here, they know how to care for us, and it warms our hearts to share those small but essential tasks.
So here’s to the year 0391! To the ancestors who shaped our breeds, to the humans who appreciate our company, and to the horses, of course, who lived before us. You’ll always be in my heart and my next blog post, dear readers! Keep on neigh-ing, my friends. And remember to stay strong and healthy until our next equine journey through history.
