Introduction:
Sadly, over the summer, we lost two of our beloved horses within just 12 days of each other. Saying goodbye to Ludo and Ellie was one of the
hardest experiences we’ve ever faced and we want to share our journey with you.
Ludo – Our Mischievous Old Chap
On 20th July 2025, we went to the yard expecting a normal day, but that wasn’t to be. Ludo, our 34-year-old mischievous chap, had always been the troublemaker if something was tipped over or spilt, it was always Ludo giving that “it wasn’t me” face!
Ludo had been retired for a few years, enjoying the high life, but in his day he was a top show jumper, a head hunts mans horse and also enjoyed a bit of dressage and side saddle. He was very demanding and very dramatic especially if he was unwell! Any long grassy area was always reserved for him, as he had started losing teeth. He truly was our resident lawn mower. On that day, however, we found Ludo unwell. The vet was called and it was decided it was time to let him go peacefully.
Ellie – Our Gentle Mare
Just 12 days later, our 26-year-old mare, Ellie, became unwell. Earlier in the year she had recovered from a health scare, so this news hit hard. Making the decision to put her down was incredibly difficult. When the vet arrived, I asked the question I needed answered: “What
would you do if this was your horse?” That guidance confirmed that it was the right, though heartbreaking, decision.
I had bred Ellie myself and she was the kindest mare. She was a dream to ride, never caused trouble and had that special bond with us. In the field, she was the boss and on the yard, she would happily stand for hours as long as she had her hay net.
Caring for Our Herd
All our horses had lived together for the last ten years, so we made sure they had a proper farewell. After Ludo and Ellie passed, the other horses were given time to say goodbye and gain closure. Some were affected by these losses particularly Sadie, who had lived with Ludo for years, lost a noticeable amount of weight and Percy was distraught seeing Ellie’s body. Poor Percy had already experienced the loss of his mum, Winnie, not long ago.
We are confident that creating this special space for all our horses during this difficult time has given them the closure they needed and allowed us to honour Ludo and Ellie’s lives in the best way we could.
Conclusion
Losing a horse is never easy, but providing love, care and closure for both our horses and our herd helps everyone heal. Ludo and Ellie will always hold a special place in our hearts.
