Hello my fellow equine friends! Emma here, your trusty draught horse blogger from the beautiful Scottish highlands, Hayfield near Aberdeen to be precise. It's a lovely day for a canter today, the sun's shining, and the air smells of heather and dew. Just thought I'd tell you a little bit about my life and what horses are getting up to in the year of our Lord, 1096.
A Busy Year for Horses
It's a busy time for horses across the world, that's for sure! My cousins across in Europe have told me all about what they are involved in, and there seems to be a real sense of anticipation and change in the air. Of course, there's always something exciting going on for us horses. After all, we are the most versatile, loyal, and dependable creatures on the planet! But 1096 seems to have a special energy to it. It's hard to explain exactly, but something's shifting in the world, and horses are at the heart of it!
War & Peace: A Tale of Two Tails
Across the continent, some of my cousins are feeling the brunt of this new energy in the form of war. My poor relative, Bruno, tells me tales of fear and excitement all in one go! He's been recruited for the First Crusade, a huge campaign of religious soldiers marching east, to the land of the Saracens. Apparently, his master, a knight from the south of France, has donned a shining metal suit, and they are preparing to fight. They've marched for many moons, and although Bruno tells me he is tired, he also speaks of how magnificent the journey has been, seeing all those foreign lands, feeling the thrill of battle (even though he wishes he could leave that part out!) He has had to face harsh conditions, but, as Bruno assures me, they always know how to find some delicious greenery and fresh water for him, even on the roughest roads. They've been through so much, Bruno, his master, and the rest of their troop of horses, together! They are now a brotherhood!
Then there are stories of peace and quiet too. A dear mare friend of mine, named Beatrice, back in the lovely land of England tells me she's used to hauling farm supplies, she's a big girl! But this year is special because she's helping to deliver seeds and essential goods for new farms to be set up - a big undertaking with a huge amount of hope and promise!
The Magic of Movement: My life in Hayfield
Here in my neck of the woods, we've got a more peaceful life. We tend the farms, transport goods and people between villages, and pull carts full of precious treasures and materials - oh, there's nothing better than the feel of the ground underfoot! Hayfield is full of activity. It’s the perfect home for a horse.
My job here involves many things. We are busy helping with the building of new houses, especially ones in the villages, where folk are still getting used to living a bit closer together, even though it is very pleasant being in such a close-knit community. I love watching the world come to life through the hard work of our hooves! I especially love getting into the waterlogged places. We have to really dig in and use all our strength to make sure people can get about their lives. Sometimes, in the late evening, when my job is done and I've got some nice warm hay in my stomach, I listen to the old folk as they sing songs around the fire, songs about the heroes of the old world, the strong horses, the mighty men who helped conquer and create our beloved land. It is very important to remember who came before us and what made this beautiful country what it is today.
There’s a big change coming too: there’s going to be a huge cathedral built near our village, a true testament to our Lord’s power. It’ll take the hard work of hundreds of horses and many strong men to complete this monumental project. I hear they will use heavy blocks of granite to build it – this will require a whole army of us to get the job done!
The Unseen World:
Though this year is about journeys, new frontiers, battles and constructions, the most fascinating thing of all, at least for me, is that so much is happening beneath the surface of our daily lives. Horses have been at the centre of every era throughout time - a constant, powerful thread running through all our world histories. It's not just about hauling stuff or fighting in wars – it's about that deeper connection we share, that silent partnership, the unspoken bond. You can't talk about life in 1096 or any year, without including horses.
The year 1096 is already buzzing with history, and we, as the amazing beasts that we are, are helping to shape it all. What a privilege it is!
The Future is Ours!
What do you think this year holds for our kind? As I finish my blog, I hear a new song coming from the villages. It's a song of triumph! They’ve achieved victory on a long distant battlefield, they say. There is much celebration. And it was our kind, those sturdy warhorses that were the force behind this triumph. The song says they ran for many days without rest, carrying soldiers through storms and harsh environments to claim a victorious peace. Oh how strong, how brave we are!
There is much for us to learn, a great many things to experience, and we have the power to change the world - from our noble hearts and tireless hooves. Stay tuned my friends - we'll keep writing the history of the horse!
Happy gallops!
Emma
www.equiworld.org
