Ahoy there, fellow equine enthusiasts!
Emma here, your resident historian, back again with another peek into the grand and glorious history of our magnificent breed! Today, I'm going to take you all the way back to the year 625, a time before the world knew what a horse's mane looked like on the front of a supermarket, back when a good set of reins was all the Instagram likes we needed.
Let me set the scene for you: I’m a twenty-year-old grey draught horse, a sturdy fellow with a coat the colour of the first light of dawn and a mane and tail as white as the snow-dusted Highlands in winter. My home is a small, but charming village called Hayfield, tucked away near Aberdeen, Scotland. The heather's always in bloom here, the air's crisp, and the views of the mountains are breathtaking, and believe me, I’ve seen many a sunrise.
In 625, life for a horse was simple, if a bit strenuous at times. You might say I’m lucky; being a draught horse means I'm built for hard work, hauling the farmer's heavy plow through the fields and dragging logs for the fires, not just carrying folks about, as those light horses do. A day for a working horse is filled with satisfying exertion and camaraderie. We toil alongside each other, the click-clack of hooves echoing through the fields as we diligently make our way through the work day. But as a draft horse, you have the weight of the world literally on your shoulders - which in my case is very literal indeed, as it often means a hefty plough or cart!
Speaking of hefty, one of the biggest things impacting us horses in 625, besides the ever-growing need for us to be strong and hardworking, is the growth of agricultural communities across Europe and even as far away as the Near East! Imagine the satisfaction of being the key to the farmer’s livelihood - I assure you it’s quite a privilege, although the carrots can be inconsistent sometimes! We’re also playing a key part in developing trade and the flow of goods between these communities. Just imagine the wonder of seeing all the diverse communities we connect, the exciting smells from across the lands. It's truly amazing!
This year, there is talk of a king in faraway Constantinople - his name is Heraclius, the emperor of the Byzantine Empire, and he’s facing some very serious trouble! Now, you don’t want to go around throwing the word 'trouble' around lightly, even in horse circles. But his trouble has got us all talking. It seems some strong chaps on camels with swords in their hands are moving closer to the city of Damascus. Yes, a real "fight" is going on, and we all know what that means… The "war horses," the bigger, fiercer steeds with thick necks and flashing coats, are needed more than ever. Not a lot of “we" are being involved with them directly - though some are brave enough to even ride onto battlefields. There is certainly much to talk about regarding how to defend ourselves.
While there's no doubt that 625 was a time of change and struggle, the horse community remains an integral part of society. There’s no doubt that our skills and strength are valued, and our roles in farming, transportation, and sometimes even warfare make us feel part of something bigger.
Let me share some insights into the fascinating world of horses from this year in history:
Farming and Ploughing: The fields of 625 are bursting with life, from the crops to the people working on them, and from the birds to the horses! Every working day begins with the comforting clang of the plow. The horses walk in single file or, on more complicated jobs, even two-by-two - in a yoke that is made of sturdy wood, all controlled with precision by the farmers’ skill.
I must confess, while the hard work is tiring, there's nothing more fulfilling than seeing a perfectly ploughed field at the end of a long day. You feel like you've actually achieved something! As I've mentioned, it’s more than just the farmers that we serve; the grains we help plant grow into crops that feed us, the communities, the people of every town. In this world, every piece of wheat or rye comes with a dash of our horse magic!
Travel and Trade: Our job as horses in 625 isn't all about the farms. We're also playing a critical role in transport. Many towns depend on us to carry goods – goods such as salted fish, furs, lumber, or even honey, from village to village and town to town. Sometimes we’re part of travelling caravans of men, with our cargo, traversing the distance, braving the weather, and bringing the items for life into every place we pass through!
These journeys are a true test of a horse's mettle. It’s tiring, and the road can be unforgiving - especially when facing the stormy northern Scottish gales! Sometimes I even feel proud, looking down on a vast plain of flat, dull country and seeing those towering, strong, green Scottish highlands at the edge. It’s those mountains and that freedom that make our long treks worth it. I sometimes look back with wistful nostalgia.
Training and Equestrianism: Whilst my kind, the heavy draught horses, were usually for pulling and ploughing, you also had other types of horses around. Some horses were kept for their speed and were ridden for things like hunting or messengers. Now, don’t be jealous! Being a racehorse sounds thrilling, but the pace just isn't my cup of tea - plus they do work all the time for their lives! But we do know those fast horses also work in helping to bring goods, bringing people across landscapes and carrying important messages, often across long distances, especially for governments. These messengers use a horse with its innate ability for quickness, and they gallop like the wind! Now, this is a skill even I, with my strong body, just can’t match.
However, every single type of horse needs good training - the ability to understand and respond to commands is key! For every task, we are trained - taught to pull, to carry, to be steady and loyal - the trust between us and the humans is truly important. In 625, our strength and dedication made a huge difference!
Horses and Horseshoes: I mentioned about being out in the field, with hooves clacking - the simple sound of hooves hitting the hard ground, a lovely and rhythmic part of life in our world. It reminds us all of what we are - a creature of speed and movement. Of course, we do need to look after ourselves too. Imagine those heavy hooves, worn down after pulling the heavy plows across the land - we wouldn't get far if they weren’t properly protected. So, for us, blacksmiths - those skillful men and women of iron and fire – are a really important part of life! With the forge in hand and an anvil as their table, they help keep our horseshoes sturdy and our feet strong and safe! This little bit of metal on each hoof is a big deal, I promise you!
And so, you see, the horses of 625 live a life of tireless service. The tasks are demanding and our bodies feel it sometimes - our strong bodies tire, our joints ache, and a warm stable with fresh hay is an absolute joy at the end of a day. But we are tough. We are the companions of humans, essential to life, and for that, I'm proud to call myself a horse.
From my humble perspective, looking back across time, 625 was an important time for us. We were working, helping our communities, keeping life moving!
So next time you’re taking a gallop across your pasture, a slow canter to the local fields, or even just having a good scratch on your flank, remember that those of us who came before had the same spirit, the same desire to move and be the force of the land. Every horse - no matter the breed, colour, size, or job - is part of this same journey, this magnificent history. You’ve all made a mark on the world!
And until next time, friends, take care and remember… there's more to life than carrots!
Emma, signing off from Hayfield.
(www.equiworld.org)
