Hello everyone! Welcome back to my little corner of EquiWorld.org! It’s Emma here, your resident history buff, from the rolling hills of Hayfield, just outside of Aberdeen, Scotland. As always, I’m so delighted to be sharing my love of horses and their fascinating past with you all.
Today, we’re going to journey back to the year 0559 AD. That’s a long, long time ago, before many of the things we take for granted today even existed. No motorised vehicles, no lights after sunset, no social media. Can you imagine a world like that?!
So, how were horses a part of that life? Let’s dive right in!
The Hayfield Horses
Life for me and my kind in Hayfield was fairly predictable. The sun rose, the chickens clucked, and the old miller down the hill whistled for us to start our work. We were draught horses, bred for our strength and resilience, and the main job of our lives was pulling the mill’s heavy carts laden with grain and water, hauling logs for building, and even occasionally helping with plowing.
We’d wake up to a nice breakfast of hay and oats, usually mixed with a few handfuls of barley for extra energy. Our day began as soon as the sun rose, giving us a full six hours of sunlight to complete our tasks. Our stable, although a little cramped, was well cared for, thanks to the good efforts of young Thomas, who also happened to be the one to bring us breakfast.
While my other stablemates had names like "Bramble", "Ash", or simply “Old Tom”, I had been christened Emma by Thomas. He was the son of the mill’s owner and was still a young man when he found me as a foal wandering the meadows near Hayfield. It was quite funny because at that time, the horses weren't allowed to go too near the fields as we were a little…enthusiastic with the grazing! So I must have been a mischievous youngster. My grey coat with that striking white mane and tail certainly didn’t go unnoticed! Anyway, Thomas just kept repeating "Emma" after I had saved him from tripping over my rope! That's when I officially got the name. He was such a kind boy, with gentle hands and an easy smile, that my whole life in Hayfield revolved around his well-being, even if I still got the odd bite or a nip if I was too playful around the stables!
I always made a point of letting Thomas know I was there for him and his family. You could call it a bit of horse loyalty – and of course, a bit of me also hoping for some extra treats! Horses are known for our love of the good life and, you see, there are moments of affection and moments of cunning…
A Day In the Life: The Grind
After our hard work in the mill, the evenings were filled with rest and gentle grooming, usually by one of the older children who would come running through the stable and scrub our hooves with soft, worn brushes. Evenings were always our favourite! You can’t underestimate a little TLC after a hard day's work! We’d then munch on our hay, watch the sunset over the Highlands, and doze off under the Milky Way. Life, for the most part, was about routine.
The Whispers From The Roads
But we horses always had a way of picking up the scent of something beyond the rolling hills of Hayfield. Through the murmur of travelers stopping by the mill, and even whispers carried on the wind by the soldiers passing through, we'd hear tales of faraway lands. I distinctly remember the summer of 0558 when the talk turned to a grand city – "Constantiople", it was called - with its gilded spires and marble buildings, where kings and queens lived lives adorned with silks and jewels, and rode horses as mighty as ourselves. It was truly incredible!
It seems that our world, at least from my Hayfield perspective, is not a vast, flat field as some folks seem to imagine.
The people we heard talking, the men in bright red tunics or women carrying elaborate jewelry in their travels from one land to another…it's really fascinating! Some are on pilgrimage journeys, their hearts and minds consumed by faith. Others have tales of conquests and wars, tales whispered amongst the merchants, filled with danger and adventure, all interwoven into the fabric of our lives.
All these whispers from the outside world made my Hayfield world a little richer and, dare I say, more fascinating.
Beyond the Fields
Even as we labored and lived our daily lives in the comforting routines, my mind raced with these stories and, most importantly, the journeys of the riders who told them. Their stories always left me longing to see more of the world beyond the fields. Even today, there’s something about those travelling horses that excites my heart.
We horses are naturally curious creatures. I often dream of galloping through vast plains, meeting other horses of different breeds and origins, sharing stories under starlit skies, and exploring the unknown lands mentioned in the passing travelers’ whispers. Perhaps even learning of other traditions and practices…who knows? I could dream of maybe even travelling alongside kings and queens… or at the very least, sharing some treats with a fancy knight who stops for refreshment and rest. It doesn’t hurt to dream!
Changes on the Horizon?
The year 0559, though, brought a change that we sensed in our instincts - an unsettling feeling. More soldiers passed by, their faces grave and tense. The merchants from distant lands began to speak in hurried whispers about a "powerful king" who ruled the West. A man known as "Penda" of Mercia. This wasn't something that brought joy and good fortune, like tales of faraway spices and lands. This carried a scent of fear.
Although the people seemed to have taken this in stride and said “oh, it's Penda - always making a commotion”, there was a feeling of caution in the air. It felt as if this powerful King Penda could upset the harmony of our lives. But what does the future hold for Hayfield? What about our quiet lives? Would the soldiers in their gleaming armour one day take over our routines and daily duties? I hope that will never happen. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the winds of change will bring.
It’s been fascinating to travel back in time to 0559. To witness the peaceful life and routines of my fellow horses. As always, I can’t wait to see what our future holds. Maybe next time, we'll explore the secrets of horse whispering or maybe uncover how the Vikings, those famous seafaring men, rode our kin to achieve great things! Until then, keep an eye on EquiWorld for the next chapter of our grand, equinous story! And, please, feel free to share your own thoughts or ask any questions you have in the comments below. Remember to Stay curious! Until next time, stay safe, stay happy, and…neigh on!
Yours truly,
Emma, The Grey Draught with a Flair for the Past!
