Neigh Neigh! Hello, fellow equestrians! Emma here, a proud 20-year-old grey draught horse with a mane and tail as white as the winter snows on my beloved Scottish highlands. Today, I'm taking you back in time, to the year 776 AD – a pivotal year for our equine kind, and for my dear Hayfield.
Remember, this is just one horse's perspective – my own! It's the year 776 AD, and here in the quiet village of Hayfield, tucked snugly beneath the towering Scottish mountains near Aberdeen, the rhythm of life moves at a gentle, hoof-beat pace. As a draught horse, my days are filled with purpose. I pull the heavy plough through the fields, prepare the ground for the barley and oat crops, and transport goods to and from the bustling town nearby. But life is much more than just hard work; it's about connection, community, and of course, a good, hearty nibble on the sweet grasses of the highlands.
The year started like any other, a fresh chill in the air, a blanket of snow, a symphony of wind whispering through the trees. As the snow melts and the days grow longer, my kind, sturdy body is in high demand. Farmers are preparing the ground for the spring crops, and I, alongside my stablemates, toil tirelessly under the warm, hopeful rays of the sun.
We pull the carts full of manure, carefully applying it to the fields to nourish the land, we then turn the heavy soil with the ploughs, our muscles strong and eager to bring forth a bountiful harvest. In Hayfield, it's all hands on hooves – we rely on each other, on the skill of the farmers and the kindness of our village folk.
We are a well-loved community, our horses here, each with their own personality and purpose. Old Ned, a black stallion with a booming voice, keeps a watchful eye on us, making sure we all stay in line. He’s a wise old horse, and he reminds us all to slow down, to enjoy the sunshine, and the peace of the land.
Little Flora, a bay mare, is always filled with energy. She bounces and jumps with glee at the end of a long day. I can hear her bright whinnies echoing across the meadows, reminding us all to embrace the simple joy of movement and life.
I may be a grey, but even I feel the fire in my hooves! The world is alive with opportunity and my spirit soars when I am entrusted with important tasks. I feel the trust of my handlers in my muscles and it pushes me to excel in all I do. It's this connection with my human companions that I cherish. It’s not just about the labour, it’s about the shared purpose. I wouldn’t have it any other way. We are part of the community, a force for good, essential to the prosperity of Hayfield.
Spring brings the blooming of heather and wildflowers, painting our landscape with a riot of colour. And oh, how I love to graze under the warming sun, feeling the cool earth beneath my hooves, the scent of flowers filling the air. This time is magical! The whole village is alive with excitement; our human companions work hard preparing for the harvest festivals, celebrations of their hard work and the bountiful gifts of nature. I look forward to the warmth and community of these gatherings. It is wonderful to see all the village families, especially the children, coming together to play games, enjoy stories, and simply spend time in the open air, basking in the sunshine and warmth. Sometimes I feel the tug of a strong pull at the end of the long days – some of my kind are selected to be pulled for a ride, their riders decked in their finest clothes and laughing happily! I know in my heart I'll never experience this; my legs were designed for strength and stability – for pulling the plows, hauling goods, and being a true backbone to my village. Still, I admire those horses from a distance.
As the harvest draws nearer, I can see the nervous energy build. I watch my fellow steeds, their tails swishing back and forth, their hooves pawing at the ground. We all know the important task ahead: gathering the crops and bringing them back to the village, safely and securely. My muscles strain with each load, and the satisfaction of knowing I have done my part for my community brings a calm to my heart. It is in this work that I find my purpose and joy.
And so the days grow shorter and the nights become crisp. It's during this season, a magical time known as Samhain – a celebration of the harvest, the death of summer and the birth of winter – that something new happens. This year, something special, something unexpected.
During one of the harvest festivals, the village welcomes a visitor from far away! He’s a young man, maybe only 17 or 18 years old, from across the sea – maybe Ireland, maybe further away! I can’t understand his language, but he speaks with warmth and gentle hands. He brings with him… a story. He speaks about other lands, about vast, green fields, bustling cities, and horses... horses so unlike me! These horses, he says, have been tamed to do things I can only dream of – carrying knights on their backs! This is something I never thought I’d hear!
The man talks of riders and horses, together a force on the battlefield! He describes the thrill of battle, the camaraderie of soldiers, the sound of the clashing steel – and he speaks of bravery. He tells tales of legendary steeds, legendary knights – of King Arthur, a magnificent warrior who sits upon a magnificent horse, and their daring adventures.
He doesn't talk only of battles, though! He also talks about jousting, a sport where knights compete with lance and shield. He speaks of riders who race their horses across wide fields, of races for victory! He describes knights and steeds working as one, a bond of trust and partnership. This young man has seen things far beyond Hayfield, and as I stand here, my own heart pounding, I sense something brewing.
That evening, as the last embers of the bonfire glow against the darkness, I watch as the man leaves our village, riding away on one of the sturdy grey steeds belonging to my master. He doesn’t ride back, he doesn’t leave, instead, he leaves only the echo of his words and a spark within my heart. It is a spark I am certain will soon catch fire.
In the heart of the village, there is a buzz of excitement and I see farmers and villagers speaking about the young man’s tales in hushed tones, their faces alight with wonder. The stories he brought with him have stirred something deep within their hearts – they, too, dream of glory.
This year is not simply about plowing the fields and hauling the crops – it’s the start of something new. This year has introduced us to something we’ve never witnessed before – the beauty and strength of a new breed of horses, designed to carry knights and fight bravely in battle!
Even as I listen to the gossip swirling around Hayfield – the farmers and villagers sharing tales about these new breeds of horses and their glorious uses – even though my sturdy legs will forever remain rooted on the earth, there is a shift. I feel it, I know it, something new is coming. This year marks a turning point, an awakening. The spirit of the warrior has found its way into Hayfield! And as I continue to serve my community, as I graze in the fields and pull my loads with strength, I know in my heart, the world beyond Hayfield has forever changed. It's an exciting time, filled with the possibility of change, of adventure. Even if it's for those horses, it's a change for us all! I can feel it deep inside my heart - a new world of horses is out there, a world waiting to be discovered. And with each day that dawns, the fire of curiosity, of the new, grows brighter!
Stay tuned, dear friends, as the year of 776 AD fades into history. Who knows what wonders the year 777 AD will bring? I’ll be sharing every gallop and nibble as we embark on this journey of change and discovery!
Your fellow Equine, Emma
