A Blog by Emma, a Grey Draught Mare from Hayfield, Scotland
Hello, fellow equines! It's Emma here, writing from my comfortable stall in the Hayfield stables. I’ve always enjoyed history, and after discovering EquiWorld, I knew I had to share some of the tales from my ancestors, especially those from my birth year, 1258. It was a year of big changes for horses and the humans we serve, a year that brought both challenges and opportunity.
You see, even back in 1258, horses were already woven into the very fabric of human society. We weren't just powerful work animals; we were the engines of commerce, transportation, and warfare. Think of me, pulling heavy carts through the muddy Scottish lanes, delivering goods to markets, or helping to till the land that sustains human lives. The bond between humans and horses is ancient and deeply rooted, much like the oak trees we see standing proudly on the hillsides.
But 1258 was a tumultuous year in the grand tapestry of history. From my stable here in Hayfield, I watched events unfold with a quiet wisdom that only comes from generations of experience. Across the sea in the land of England, King Henry III was busy dealing with unruly nobles. His son, young Prince Edward, who was destined for the throne, was out and about, doing his best to put down rebellions.
Meanwhile, farther afield in the Holy Land, the world of humans was consumed by a conflict known as the Crusades. The powerful Ottoman Sultan Baibars was pushing the boundaries of the Muslim world against the weakened Christians. I haven’t a clue what it was all about, but the stories I hear make it clear these were brutal battles where many horses perished. It's sad to hear, because every horse deserves a good life and the chance to make it to a respectable age.
Back in Scotland, life for us horses wasn't quite so tumultuous. We remained busy working the land, transporting supplies, and even participating in a few local jousting tournaments, although none involving knights and shining armor, of course! You see, a noble on a splendid warhorse is an imposing figure, with his bright shield, lance and all those jangling metal bits. A sight that can strike fear into any onlooker!
Of course, we weren't all workhorses in 1258. My own mother, a beautiful chestnut mare with a fiery spirit, loved the feel of wind whipping through her mane as she carried a knight across the rolling green countryside, his plume of feathers dancing in the air. I’ve even heard stories about a magical unicorn - a mythical beast that galloped through moonlit forests and meadows, leaving behind a trail of sparkling dust.
One of the most important events for horses in 1258 was the beginning of the development of "horse armour". The human craftsmen started covering us in thick, padded layers of metal. Imagine! For us horses, this meant being more heavily burdened with all that extra weight, although it certainly made our human companions feel safer!
I can still vividly remember my father, a powerful grey stallion who bore a dark stripe running down his back, explaining to me that in 1258 a new type of stirrup called the "high stirrup" had been invented, allowing knights to wield heavy weapons more effectively. What it meant for us, of course, was a lot of stomping about with very hefty warriors! The human world just kept changing and adapting!
I've often wondered how our ancestors from those times felt about the rapidly evolving world. Surely, they felt a mixture of curiosity and fear! Imagine, to suddenly have to haul carriages pulled by teams of your kind to deliver goods and travel in all weathers, with never a break! They've come a long way from the horse-drawn wagons of yesteryear!
As I'm writing this blog post, the humans outside are busy preparing for the autumn harvest. They'll soon be cutting the golden fields of oats, wheat and barley. These days, many horses are replaced by a noisy machine called a 'tractor'. The poor thing belches out black smoke into the air and shakes the ground with its heavy metal wheels. But despite their clumsiness, the machines haven’t yet taken over all of the farm work - thank goodness!
I love my life in the peaceful Hayfield stables. We horses are well looked after here by a human who calls herself Fiona. She's kind and gentle with her horses, and even gives us little treats now and then, a sugary cube or a handful of clover!
Perhaps, in another year, we’ll learn how the lives of horses are changing - in 1259! But, for now, it's time for a good night’s sleep!
See you all again soon!
Emma, signing off for now.
Reflections on a Changing World
Emma’s story is a snapshot of horse life in 1258. It gives us a window into a time when horses were vital partners in every aspect of human existence, even in a world undergoing rapid transformation. From the chaotic conflicts in the Holy Land to the changing ways of human warfare, the lives of horses were touched by the events of that era.
1258 marked the transition to new weapons and tactics. As humans embraced the era of the "high stirrup," horses needed to be stronger and more agile to bear the new burden of combat. In turn, these advances further intertwined horses with human warfare, making them key to the course of history.
We are left with a profound appreciation for the bond between humans and horses. The legacy of 1258 still reverberates today in the enduring influence horses have had on the world. Even as technology has brought forth changes beyond our imagining, we continue to see how important horses remain, inspiring stories, stirring imaginations, and bringing joy to people around the globe.
