Not yet 2 years old in 2011, seeing him for the first time. Back in April I had promised to write about our young horse Ludi:
In early 2011 I traversed the province on the hunt for a young horse to train and develop. 2 years old at the time, Ludi was a mere footnote on my trip. His ad popped up just before I left and he was located conveniently close to the highway near Kingston on my way through. I liked his owner right away and how she handled him. He fooled around in a pen for a few minutes, I took some pictures and went on my way. His bloodlines were well known, his legs were straight, and that’s about all I noted of him at the time!
In early 2011 I traversed the province on the hunt for a young horse to train and develop. 2 years old at the time, Ludi was a mere footnote on my trip. His ad popped up just before I left and he was located conveniently close to the highway near Kingston on my way through. I liked his owner right away and how she handled him. He fooled around in a pen for a few minutes, I took some pictures and went on my way. His bloodlines were well known, his legs were straight, and that’s about all I noted of him at the time!
Spring 2012, one of my first times on his back Ultimately, he was one of only 2 horses I was interested in. A deal was struck, as well as an easy new friendship with his owner, and the next month we brought him home. I wish I could say it was all smooth sailing and progress ever since, but he injured himself that summer, I had a concussion the next summer, we moved last year, and this year he suddenly turned 5 and was solidly ‘saddle broke’ only! When better than The Year of the Horse to really get him going and bring him out?
September 2012, building a safe partner Ludi is one of the Top Three easiest horses I have ever started. His temperament is like a puppy: demanding constant attention, interested in everything, and quite unflappable. He trots to me in the field, calls for his dinner, and is a total pest when I try to groom anyone else. Under saddle he is fundamentally lazy, but sensitive too. The other day I was able to bounce his trot bigger with just my seat, and that is a wonderful feeling. He is very quick to learn new patterns and is quite a volunteer. He never misses a canter lead. Like any young horse, some days are brilliant and some sessions are best turned into trail rides. I think it is professional to remain objective when training youngsters, but when we bring them along for years and take care of them every day, they become very special pets. We trust them with our lives and share milestones together.
Ottawa Valley Hunt Club Trail Ride July 2014 We started with short rides in the snow-covered ring in March. I was happy with him just to stand for me to get on, walk on, whoa and generally steer. April brought some trot work, very brief canters and going over cavaletti when the snow melted. May was more of the same, with schooling figures and longer workouts. By June he felt ready to explore the yard & trails, which he is very game to do. In July it was time to try an outing: I brought him to a Group Trail Ride with the Ottawa Valley Hunt Club with a friend on been-there-done-that-DiMaggio. Ludi was very excited, as expected, but I was so happy with him overall; he had no problem with the terrain, I managed him around the other horses, and by the end we were marching along on a loose rein. Too bad it took an hour to get him on the trailer home! He gets claustrophobic when shut in the trailer, but we are working on it. In August we did another trail ride, but it had some very difficult footing and I learned an important lesson about scouting these things out first for myself.
A few weeks later, he beautifully jumped a real gymnastic grid at home:
Good friends, good horses, great day! This month we made an outing to the spectacular Torbolton Forest Park near Ottawa with friends, and he was even better; check him out in the water, he trotted in!
One of the greatest things about young horses is excitedly planning for their future. Everything is on the table to try out with them and it’s a matter of discovering their talents, and then developing them. I am thinking about next year and heading to clinics and shows, and would dearly love to take him to a trusted coach for a few days of lessons before this year is totally done.
Everything is as it should be: slow progress, fascinating moments, and true love for a gorgeous, goofy horse with his whole life in front of him.
One of the greatest things about young horses is excitedly planning for their future. Everything is on the table to try out with them and it’s a matter of discovering their talents, and then developing them. I am thinking about next year and heading to clinics and shows, and would dearly love to take him to a trusted coach for a few days of lessons before this year is totally done.
Everything is as it should be: slow progress, fascinating moments, and true love for a gorgeous, goofy horse with his whole life in front of him.
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