Hello my dear Equine Chronicles readers,
It's Emma here, writing to you from my stable in Hayfield, near Aberdeen. This is a special post because I'm reaching a milestone – 20 years young today! I've seen a lot in my lifetime and my dear old stable, with its straw-lined floors and familiar smells, holds many memories. I always think how wonderful it is that all of us, despite where we were born or what breed we are, have something in common – we are all horses.
And there's never been a more exciting time to be a horse! Let me tell you a bit about this year - 1206 – a year I'll always remember because it holds a special place in my heart, but also for some pretty remarkable events happening across the world of equines!
Firstly, it was a rather blustery summer here in Hayfield, but our barley crop thrived, even with a few more rainy days than usual. I helped transport those plump sacks of grain to the village and the miller’s. My old friend Angus, the big Clydesdale stallion, had to work a bit harder to pull the wagon. Those barrels of barley are heavy, especially after the summer showers.
The villagers in Hayfield are simple folks. They don’t have much money but they take such good care of their horses, feeding us well and tending to us with love. We all look out for each other and we horses, as we do, are the centre of village life, bringing them around together. I was particularly chuffed this year because I was chosen to pull the cart during the hay harvest, so important in this time. All the farm horses were needed for this task.
The harvest time was filled with laughter and chatter from the villagers as they helped pull and bind the hay. Our big chestnut mare, Daisy, usually gets to pull the hay cart, but her foal was being weaned this year, and well, as everyone knows, foals take precedence! Daisy is very patient, though, even when I got a little too frisky and almost pulled the cart sideways. The younger lads and girls got quite the fright! We all learned a lot that year – me, the foal and the young villagers!
But enough about me! Let me share what's been happening out there in the bigger world – where horses have truly made a difference. Now, I do hear the village stories - those old women with their hands rough with time, spinning their tales about the great world and, believe you me, they know a thing or two. I must say I was fascinated by what they told me about events further afield!
Firstly, this year has seen some really important historical moments - 1206, remember!
You see, my friends, 1206 saw the founding of the Mongol Empire by the mighty Chinggis Khan – the word for “emperor” in Mongol, I understand. The Mongol horse warriors have, of course, become legendary in history and have made a name for themselves in war. Apparently, Chinggis Khan created a well-organized and effective cavalry, uniting tribes under a single banner, and they conquered the plains and beyond – a truly impressive feat.
These skilled warriors were truly inseparable from their horses - they knew their horses like their own breath. It is no wonder they won battles and travelled great distances. Stories are told of their horsemanship - their ability to ride fast, shoot with incredible precision from horseback and even change their horses during battle, which meant they never got tired! Their success was achieved because of their connection with their steeds. These stories have sparked quite the interest here in Hayfield. The boys say they want to be like the Mongol warriors one day, although it’s difficult to find much space on these Scottish hills for full speed gallops.
And speaking of galloping – I also learned that in 1206, a brave Crusader named Theobald was traveling on his trusty steed from Palestine to the East – he was, I believe, seeking a place to pray, and was hoping to visit the sacred cities, which some people, the very religious sort, call the Holy Land. Imagine, a journey by horse to a far off land, crossing deserts and mountains. Talk about courage!
However, there was more news about the Crusaders in the year 1206. It seems a powerful and fearsome Sultan of Rum called Kai-Kaus I had to fight off these Crusaders – a true battle between warrior and faith! The stories are quite colourful! Kai-Kaus was said to be quite skilled in the art of war – and that included his magnificent horses, a sight to behold! The horses that were trained to fight with the Crusaders were no less mighty! The village is always buzzing with stories about brave horses, even if I just know them from gossip around the stables.
Then there's a lovely story from the West that reached the ears of the old women. A French monk – some say a noble, too – a knight called Raymond Lull was traveling around Spain with his trusted mount! What made his journey truly fascinating, they said, is that he spent his time doing something special – writing about things called ‘Proverbs’. The stories tell us he wrote them so that everyone, rich and poor, young and old, could understand their meaning! He even had to rely on a horse because his main objective was to meet people who would listen to him, from village to village, and then share his teachings about living a virtuous life and kindness to others, even going so far as writing about the importance of looking after all creatures, and yes, even horses! Can you imagine the conversations these monks had, travelling by horse through dusty towns and lush fields, inspiring all those who encountered them! I can just picture it. The horses had to have a knack for being patient – it is the only way you can hear the wisdom being shared, and to sit in one place, even while listening to people debate what is right and wrong, can take a great deal of patience! They certainly weren't all about speed, those journey horses – but I wonder if those monks kept track of where they had been. I'd love to find a book of Proverbs and see where they took those brave steeds. It makes me wonder what else those horses saw!
It’s fascinating how horses continue to play a vital role in shaping the world – both near and far! These stories reminded me how lucky I am to be living in such an important period! We all know that we are the backbone of society – a part of its history and its development, the wheels on which its fortunes are rolled – as it were.
Well, my dear Equine Chronicle readers, this is me signing off for now, but stay tuned for my next blog post where I shall be writing about an exciting new chapter of my life. You will find out all about it in due course – all I can say is that it involved travel and some beautiful sights.
See you next time,
Emma
www.equiworld.org
