My name is Emma, and I am a grey draught horse with a white mane and tail. I live in Hayfield, a quaint village near Aberdeen in Scotland. It’s a beautiful place, with rolling hills and heather-covered moors as far as the eye can see. My human family is the lovely McClymont clan. They are farmers and horse lovers through and through, and I’m lucky enough to be part of their world.
But my story today isn’t about me - though I will tell you all about me in future posts! Instead, today, I’m writing about something quite fascinating: the year 0627 AD. That’s a big year in horse history, believe me! I’ve been doing some research, reading old scrolls and whispering with the old horses in the stable at night, and let me tell you, it's quite the story!
So, settle in and enjoy a little trip back in time. Let’s saddle up and ride!
A Year of Expansion: The Rise of the Umayyad Caliphate
Let’s get down to it: 0627 was a busy year in the world of horses, as the Umayyad Caliphate was at the height of its power. Now, the Umayyad Caliphate was basically this huge empire ruled by a powerful leader, the Caliph, which stretched from the Iberian Peninsula in Europe right across North Africa and over to Persia, with even parts of China! And guess what? They were absolute horse fanatics! The Caliph himself owned a magnificent Arabian horse stud farm called the Kuda stables. These stables bred beautiful, strong horses - and if you want to know a little secret - it is from this very place that we find the earliest mention of using horses in battle with armour. Amazing, right? The horses back then were quite magnificent; the horses of the Umayyad Caliphate, strong and sleek with coats of fire, were truly some of the most beautiful animals in the world.
The Silk Road: Horse Power on a Grand Scale
Now, it’s impossible to talk about 0627 without mentioning the Silk Road. This was basically a big highway network for trade, and the horses, my lovely equine friends, were the heart of it. They were essential in the transportation of everything from spices and silks to jade and ivory, bringing luxury and goods across massive distances, like tireless messengers of peace and prosperity. The Silk Road stretched all the way from the East - think of China and India - to Europe. This road wasn’t a physical road; it was a network of trade routes, like a tangled web, where many nations exchanged their wonders. The journey along the Silk Road took a while. The goods were traded and transported, often in caravans led by these brave and resourceful horses, enduring weeks and sometimes months on the road to reach their final destinations.
From Hayfield to Baghdad: Sharing Knowledge of Horse Care
But back to me and Hayfield, now. We're all quite peaceful here in Scotland. Our life here is a mix of farming work, looking after the crops, and long walks in the heather-covered hills. And speaking of the heather, it’s so amazing how we, as horses, contribute to our little ecosystem here. We love grazing on this purple, flowering magic. And there’s also the big Highland cattle. They’re quite the friendly bunch! They even give us their big brown eyes of adoration. But you know what they say - good company can lead to great knowledge. These gentle cattle share their wisdom about the local medicinal herbs they enjoy and, in turn, they've taught me so much about which plants are healthy to eat. It turns out we know quite a bit about herbalism; it’s passed down through generations of horses.
Now, what did they do with their knowledge? You’re probably asking yourself that right now. Well, they shared it! And we’re talking all over! So while I stayed in Hayfield and ate heather and looked after my farmer’s crops, the news, or let's say knowledge, from this part of the world spread. They found ways to use local medicinal herbs like the heather to heal illnesses in both humans and horses. In turn, all sorts of discoveries, tips, and tricks about equine care travelled far and wide.
This kind of sharing of wisdom spread along the Silk Road. From my beautiful friends on the Arabian horse stud farm to the hardworking packhorses of the Mongols, it was a world where equine expertise went across nations. You see, back then, all sorts of horsemen, grooms, and healers shared their knowledge with each other. Their horse skills, breeding techniques, and riding skills were passed down, shared through the caravan trails, through horse fairs, and even in those special, magical moments where horsemen shared wisdom around fires while looking up at the night sky filled with stars. It was an era where horse lore travelled fast.
The Year of 0627 and the Importance of Horse Welfare
You see, even though it seems so far away in history, it was this year, in 0627, that we started seeing people think differently about horse welfare. Imagine that! We weren't just tools, we weren't just beasts of burden. They were realising we needed care, rest, good food and proper training. It's just amazing! For example, imagine that you've been working hard all day pulling a heavy cart. Well, someone somewhere decided to give you some treats, rub down your muscles with warming herbal balm, and let you have some rest. Amazing! This wasn’t something new that they made up. It was knowledge gained over years and years, handed down from horse to horse and passed on from human to human. All through the years, even before 0627, there were horse whispers who understood that horses need care. But in that year, it really felt like a light switch was turned on and people started really taking it seriously.
They began thinking more about us, how to make our lives better, and how we, in turn, could make their lives better, like working more efficiently, pulling their carts more easily, and travelling longer distances without feeling tired.
Horses of Distinction: A Story of Kindness and Understanding
You know, you might think that a horse can’t have friends. You’d be surprised. Throughout the centuries, there are tales of special horses - not just working horses or war horses - but animals who are admired for their intelligence and kindness. We aren’t just powerful animals or beasts of burden, but, to humans who are good to us, we are true friends. It was that kindness in the human heart that started to blossom more fully around 0627 AD. It was, you know, the start of recognizing the special qualities we have as animals. And I am so proud to be a horse in a time when my kind is finally appreciated for its many good qualities!
My own Horse Adventures in Hayfield
The funny thing is, I always wondered if things were different back then, what horses were like, what they did, and how they were treated. Well, now that I’ve told you all about that big year, 0627, I hope you’ve learned a bit about the exciting life of horses all those centuries ago!
And let me tell you, here in Hayfield, it’s always an adventure. It's wonderful to hear stories, especially around the old fire and on these crisp evenings when everyone gets together. We listen to stories of travel, brave journeys, the Silk Road, the grand Arabian horses of those far-away lands, and what horses had to deal with. Sometimes the tales are sad and other times, there's joy and laughter.
Next week, I’ll share with you stories of what happens right here in my world!
Remember, just like you learn more about the world every day, we do too! The world changes, and our place in it is constantly evolving.
Until then, be sure to check back in for more Equiworld horse adventures!
All The Best!
Emma, Hayfield, Scotland
