At the Tori Horse Breeding Farm, visitors have a unique opportunity to explore the enchanting work of legendary wooden figure master Voldemar Luht. His captivating creations vividly capture the everyday life of Estonian rural culture through intricately detailed horse figures. The exhibition showcases wooden horses in both work and leisure scenes.

A Colorful Life and Passion for Horses

Born in 1919 in the Tomsk Governorate, Voldemar Luht moved to Estonia with his family at the age of three. Fascinated by horses from a young age, he crafted his first horse at just five years old. However, his first wooden horse was not created until the 1980s, during his retirement years, when he began his series “The 1000 Tasks of the Horse.” This series ultimately included nearly 500 horse figures, about 50 of which are part of the Estonian Rural Life Museums' collection. Now, a portion of this collection is on display at the Tori Horse Breeding Farm.

“The 1000 Tasks of the Horse” – A Tribute to the Role of Horses in Estonian Life

Luht’s creations tell stories of the work and traditions of Estonian rural life—horses uprooting stumps, threshing grain, or ploughing potato rows. Beyond work scenes, Luht also captured significant life events such as weddings, school journeys, and funerals, symbolically tying the horse to the life path of every Estonian.

The exhibition features figures depicting horses at work as well as heading to celebrations and leisure activities, offering a diverse portrayal of how horses once shaped daily life in Estonia.

Tori Horse Breeding Farm as the Perfect Exhibition Venue

This autumn, the Estonian Agricultural Museum received even more of Luht’s figures, inspiring the organizers to share this valuable collection with a wider audience. According to one of the exhibition curators, Mari-Liis Tammiste, there could be no better place for such an exhibition than the Tori Horse Breeding Farm, where the presence of horses and their history can be felt at every turn. Voldemar Luht’s figures perfectly complement the farm’s atmosphere, bringing modern visitors closer to the generations-long love and admiration for horses.

Unique Craftsmanship and Detail

Luht’s wooden carvings are renowned for their meticulous detail. Every horse, human figure, and tool is masterfully crafted from natural materials such as alder, willow, and birch bark. The richness of detail and the broad themes in his work highlight all aspects of the horse’s role—not just as a worker, but also as a companion through life’s hardships and joys. For the curator, what makes this exhibition special is Luht’s precision and creativity, reflected in crafted tools like a potato harvesting machine.

In addition to the wooden figures, the Tori exhibition also features ten drawings of horses, offering a glimpse into Luht’s lifelong love for these animals.

Since the Estonian Rural Life Museums also include the C. R. Jakobson Farm Museum, we have placed one special horse figure on display there for visitors to discover. This particular figure depicts Jakobson traveling by horse to the Sakala editorial office. So, a visit to the Jakobson Farm Museum in Kurgja is definitely worth your time!

Exhibition Open Until October 31, 2025

If you want to explore extraordinary craftsmanship, this exhibition is a must-see. Voldemar Luht’s carvings at the Tori Horse Breeding Farm tell a story that is as inspiring as the centuries-old bond between humans and horses.