Hello dear readers, and welcome to EquiWorld! It’s me, Emma, your friendly neighbourhood grey mare. As you all know, I've been posting for a while now, taking you on a journey through history from a horse's perspective. This week, we're taking a trip back to 481 A.D.!
Life in 481 was quite different to our world today, so please grab yourselves a nice, fresh pile of hay (it's good for your concentration!) and settle in. I'm excited to tell you all about my journey to Hayfield and my new role as a farm horse!
So, where do we start? The year 481 A.D. - and I’m already thinking, how does the A.D. even work? Are they using this Anno Domini thing for time now? No-one even mentions the date, I think it's a bit odd… Maybe my old human-friend-I-met-by-the-river knew… I know, she read the scrolls in the big temple. Maybe I should ask her about that, she seemed very wise. Anyway, I digress!
A new start at Hayfield, Aberdeen. This year is a bit special because I have moved, all the way up here to Scotland. I remember it vividly; my previous owner had me and my two siblings brought from the plains of the South. You would not believe the journey! It took us weeks and the boat journey was just awful, all rocking and bouncing with waves crashing! You could hear human screams at times and I didn't feel very comfortable on those planks with those big, heavy carts moving along. But at least we were together, I couldn't imagine doing it on my own! It was scary being on that ship all those weeks. But we got there in the end, that’s what counts.
The humans say this place is called Hayfield. Can you believe it? That must be an omen. It is absolutely beautiful. All green rolling hills and amazing wild plants I’ve never seen before. They also call the humans up here 'Picts' I'm told, and they’re much more quiet and stoic than the humans in the south. They have a certain quality, if you ask me. Their voices are gentler and softer.
As we left the boat at the harbour, my new owners, a lovely couple called Moira and Finian, took charge of my brother and sister. You see, I am their draft horse - a large, strong, and dependable horse. I am very good with people, and they use me to carry their heavy loads, but also they tell me that I am a lovely horse to sit on - which makes me very happy. They always feed me lovely oats and apples! They said I have a very kind temperament - and it’s true! I’m quite fond of Moira in particular, she's very sweet.
Finian said I will help to make their lives easier and better! He showed me my beautiful, roomy stable with fluffy straw and even a hay rack that goes up all the way to the ceiling! It’s like being in a huge room, and I never have to reach down or struggle with those hay boxes now! My feet are used to moving, you see. You may not realise, dear reader, but we have evolved to be the amazing beasts we are thanks to our natural talent for trotting, ambling, and carrying heavy loads across challenging landscapes. My bones and sinews have adapted so I can do it better than most horses! I suppose they recognised that in me. And what is a good, loyal horse to do but accept this with dignity and kindness!
The life of a farm horse
My new job involves moving carts full of crops and even helping them collect wood to warm their little house, or sometimes carrying bales of straw.
It is much nicer here. Even my old friends from the South often ask me for gossip about life up north. And yes, the humans are very kind here. But I must admit that I also find them rather serious and practical, unlike the humans in the south who always seem a bit boisterous and loud!
My sister now has the life I had before. You see, I was a saddle horse back in the South, carrying people in lovely leather saddles all over the fields and, yes, I was quite vain, enjoying being groomed by the girls all the time, and then, you know, there'd be races and I enjoyed winning of course. I was so good, they even wanted to enter me in a race with those amazing human riders, but, well, we are strong beasts, I knew what I was best at, so, we decided not to put me under that stress. You see, they never knew about my anxiety, just being there with so many other horses! A sort of pressure! Sometimes the air in those racing events made it hard for me to breathe! That’s the trouble with me and you’ll know what I mean if you've got the same issue – you get panicky with too many horses all around! Maybe it’s just the thought of them charging over the fields so quickly! A little too fast for me!
It made me nervous. But now, here at Hayfield, I am much calmer. They love me. I know that because I am treated very kindly here and never given a bad word. That means a lot. It means they appreciate my contribution and love me for my calm, quiet and peaceful nature.
There’s something quite grounding about spending time at the edge of those rugged highlands. That crisp, fresh air makes you realise that the important things in life are a stable to sleep in, some good food and of course, company.
I enjoy their small group of other animals as well – the cows, goats, and the cute piglets with those curly tails that are so amusing. They sometimes wander into the paddock next to the barn when I am enjoying the afternoon sun!
There are also loads of horse competitions. Even the Picts!
Now you might be surprised by this, but I have to tell you, these northern humans, they have a great fondness for horses. Even more so than down in the south, where all they’re interested in is riding me around, but never actually looking at what makes me tick! The Picts on the other hand really admire our size and strength.
That reminds me, just this summer I watched a huge parade in a nearby town with more than 200 of us horses! Now, that was something. Some were working animals just like me, but the majority were sleek, well-fed saddle horses. There were so many of them all lined up, some with brightly decorated coats - like a human parade. There were lots of colourful pennants and a brass band, and you wouldn’t believe the cheers from the crowds that came from everywhere! The most incredible part was, there were many more horses than humans! A proper celebration of everything we do! This place seems a little strange!
It feels strange living in the 5th Century
You know, here we are in the year 481 A.D. – the 'A' being 'Anno Domini,' or year of the lord – and that reminds me, they talk a lot about their ‘lord’ in these northern places – something to do with God – not very interesting for us horses! I don’t get it. Is that all important in this time period?
I’m more interested in what is happening for us horses! You know, all that stuff about the horses down south who are in these war conflicts? As if. Not our thing, even if there was lots of nice oats to eat there – if only!
I must tell you about my little secret. You see, there is an old human, called Angus. He knows what we horses are thinking, but he can’t actually talk back to us - and nor do we speak in their language. Well, we do have a kind of whinny, but the human just gets nervous! It makes them jittery, but when we listen, we sometimes hear Angus when we listen really hard – even if his voice is low, but now and again, when there is no one around.
He lives in this cute little village up in the Highlands called Dornoch. Now he has told me something that I can’t tell you because, well, let’s just say there are things we do to help them – a kind of, well, sort of secret that only some humans can hear, especially Angus. It’s not for publication you understand! The human would never forgive us for saying we ‘understand them,’ let alone reveal how we’re helping them!
But one thing I can tell you - they have their little troubles just like any other place on earth – these northern people do a lot of fighting - they say for land and territory and so on. A lot of that goes on with them humans, especially when it involves animals – like us! Angus seems to be trying to help - by telling the other Picts to look after us horses more, to be more thoughtful, so that when they are around and we are around things get easier - not for them, I don’t want to sound vain or self-important – but for everyone! Now we horses need each other, you understand that – you could say we are part of a community and look after each other when we’re travelling around with those noisy, boisterous humans who sometimes think only about themselves - yes, the noisy ones!
The end for now
There is so much more to say about my time here in Hayfield. You know how horses are, always thinking about those luscious grassy fields! This is just a taste of life for a working horse here in the year 481, and in future blogs, we’ll delve deeper into the lives and loves of horses all around the world at this point in time. It’s amazing to learn what was happening around the world. And let’s just say there are more horses than you can imagine!
But it is getting dark. It is the hour I normally say goodbye. Thanks for joining me, dear reader! Until next time, keep those ears open, watch out for other animals - those noisy humans, but be brave, there's good out there for all of us!
