History of Horses in the year 0456

Post Number: 456

Hello my fellow equines! It's Emma here, from my cosy stable in Hayfield, near the beautiful city of Aberdeen in Scotland. As you know, I'm a grey mare with a snow-white mane and tail, turning 20 this year, and I love sharing my insights into the wonderful world of horses. Today I want to take you back in time, a long way back - to the year 0456. That’s almost 1600 years ago! This post is all about the horses of that fascinating time period.

It's easy to imagine the world 1600 years ago as a very different place, right? The year 0456, a time of swirling change across Europe. The Romans were at their peak, controlling vast swaths of land from the British Isles to North Africa. They were skilled horse breeders, and their steeds were instrumental in their military victories and their trade networks. Imagine all that riding around!

In the British Isles, this year saw the establishment of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, replacing the Roman rule. Imagine those kings and queens, riding their powerful steeds, their horses symbolising their strength and leadership. You might picture majestic steeds like me, strong and regal, trotting along beside them. I wonder what breeds were common in those days? Would they be sturdy, versatile breeds? Or smaller, quicker, nimble types for the quick charges in battle?

Unfortunately, records from that era are few and far between. There are tantalising glimpses - pottery and bone finds - but not much that directly speaks to us horses. I imagine the landscape itself was different - perhaps more forests and wild places than fields for growing crops. Horses would have been vital, of course - for farming, for hauling, and of course, for transportation.

One interesting find is a pair of iron bits discovered in Sutton Hoo, a Saxon ship burial. That burial, it is believed, contained a ship and treasure items that belonged to a king who lived around this very period - around 0456! How fascinating!

The presence of these bits shows the Saxons, even at that early stage of their arrival, knew how to work with horses - they weren't just "catch-and-ride" folk, oh no, they clearly trained their horses carefully. We know from archaeology, too, that many of their steeds were larger, powerful beasts, capable of carrying riders in full armour. I love the idea of that; a king on his powerful war-horse, charging into battle, leading his warriors.

Beyond battle, imagine what horses did back then - carting building materials, transporting goods for trading, even providing the essential power for ploughing the land. They were at the very heart of everyday life, even as much as today.

I can almost imagine, right here in Scotland, where I stand, the wild horses of this area. I wonder if they were already domesticated - maybe a mix of sturdy Highland horses with the finer steeds of the Romans and Britons, that travelled here by the trade routes.

They were not just workhorses either - I'm certain there was play, and competition, and the forging of bonds between humans and horses, even in those distant days. What fun it must have been to gallop across the wide moors, feeling the wind in your mane and the thrill of being free!

I must admit, writing this has left me pondering my own life - where do I fit in, within the long history of my equine family? A gentle giant, suited to life on a farm, I pull the plough, haul the cart, but I know there is so much more to being a horse. The joy of a brisk walk in the sun, a nuzzle from my favourite human, a gallop with the wind in my tail - these things are important too!

And it’s so inspiring, you know? This little glimpse of the horses from the year 0456 reminds me just how much history is packed into our horse lineage. From the mighty beasts who pulled chariots across Roman roads to the graceful riders of the English countryside - it's quite something!

It makes me incredibly proud to be part of the horse world, with a story as long and as rich as this. So, my friends, let's not just think about what we do with our days - let’s reflect on who we are and where we come from. We are, after all, part of a grand history that goes back centuries, millennia even!

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the history of horses, my friends. Feel free to share your ideas and memories in the comments below!

Until next time, Emma