The Ozzy Diaries

Duplicated - now I can understand why I have seen quite so many duplicated posts ... what a strange change to make to the interface!
 
I want to say a massive 'thank you' to everyone who has liked the posts and commented - it's helped us to feel so incredibly supported and it's wonderful that so many people are interested in our lovely cob!

I'm not going to flood you all with updates but will post when there are significant milestones...eg, later this week we want Ozzy to have his first proper walk down the lane and understand that going out is great fun and nothing to be scared of. We're going to take AJ with him just to provide some reassurance. We have already tried to take Ozzy for a little walk but he pulled away and the lead rope clip broke, leaving him to tear off down the lane. Although this was obviously not good, we were glad that he ran back to the field rather than off into the sunset!

However, I'm happy to say that we've just done his second groundwork session on leading and he was a star! First time we've had him on a rope and he's not even tried to run off. He walked up to OH, allowed his rope halter to be put on and then waited for instructions. Even better, he was relaxed and focused on OH the whole time, even though the other two were quite a distraction at one stage. When we finished the session with a fuss and a treat, he decided to stroll up to the gate with us.

Just about to go off and feed them...Ozzy absolutely loves his bucket feed of soaked grass pellets, Honeychop lite and a measure of oily herbs!

Thanks once again everyone.
 
IrishMilo said:
It must be lovely for the OP/Ozzy's original owner to feel validated it has to be said... there were some really harsh and judgemental comments on the original thread implying they were a numpty!
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Yep, I'm not going to lie, the first day we tied him up with a haynet to groom him, pick up feet etc and he started kicking out, pinning ears flat back, etc, I did feel a bit scared.
Similarly, knowing that he'd realised he could use his strength to simply pull away and run rather than being led, well, this did worry me.
I was lucky that the OH wasn't fazed by any of it and was confident in calming Ozzy (and me!) down. He said that Ozzy was obviously insecure and just didn't know any other way to react. He's not being nasty, he's just an unsettled horse who'd been through too much change in a short space of time.
But I can imagine that being on a yard without that sort of support and understanding would have been awful.
 
IrishMilo said:
It must be lovely for the OP/Ozzy's original owner to feel validated it has to be said... there were some really harsh and judgemental comments on the original thread implying they were a numpty!
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Thank you. I felt like a numpty after reading some of the comments too! He was definitely too much for me being a novice and without the support around me I needed. I have to admit to being a little scared of Ozzy at times, not because I thought he would attack me but because he was so unpredictable in his stable and in leading him.
 
Nancykitt said:
Yep, I'm not going to lie, the first day we tied him up with a haynet to groom him, pick up feet etc and he started kicking out, pinning ears flat back, etc, I did feel a bit scared.
Similarly, knowing that he'd realised he could use his strength to simply pull away and run rather than being led, well, this did worry me.
I was lucky that the OH wasn't fazed by any of it and was confident in calming Ozzy (and me!) down. He said that Ozzy was obviously insecure and just didn't know any other way to react. He's not being nasty, he's just an unsettled horse who'd been through too much change in a short space of time.
But I can imagine that being on a yard without that sort of support and understanding would have been awful.
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Yes that's what he was like with me and having not experienced that before it was quite scary. I am glad your other half is not phased 😁. I do think with your and your husbands expertise he will become calm and settled.
 
Hormonal Filly said:
Sounds like he has landed on his feet! Well done Jasmine as well.. for doing the right thing by the horse. I can imagine how stressful this has all been.
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It has been stressful but things are settling now and hopefully Ozzy will be settled soon. There was no way I was sending him back to the dealer and it wasn't a hard decision sending him off to what I knew was going to be the home he needed.
 
11th July update
Ozzy has been with us for 2 weeks and 1 day.

After a week of groundwork, we decided to take Ozzy for a walk out. OH started off by doing some groundwork exercises and then we gave him a good brush all over, which he seemed to enjoy!

Ozzy is schooled in a rope halter, but last time we took him out of the field he pulled away and ran off so this time we decided to use a Le Mieux control headcollar just in case.

I led my pony, AJ, up the lane and OH led Ozzy. The plan was to take them for a little walk, then let them have a 5 minute graze, then take them back.

Well, my wonderful 16- year old hunting pony AJ was an absolute idiot! He was snorting and spooking at pretty much everything. Ozzy, on the other hand, was incredibly well behaved. The 'control' noseband did not have to be engaged at any point. He was lovely and relaxed for almost all of the time and didn't really put a hoof wrong.

Just a week of groundwork has made a world of difference. Ozzy is so much more trusting and relaxed. Even if there's a setback at some stage, it takes nothing away from today and how well he's done.
The next test for Ozzy will be the EP visit next Wednesday. His feet are quite overgrown with a fair bit of flair on the hinds. Hopefully he'll allow our EP to work her magic!

Here he is after his little walk, contemplating his life in the Highlands so far. (I'm going out to put some sunscreen on that nose in a minute - first sunny day we've had here in ages and I worry that he'll get burnt!)


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Nancykitt said:
11th July update
Ozzy has been with us for 2 weeks and 1 day.

After a week of groundwork, we decided to take Ozzy for a walk out. OH started off by doing some groundwork exercises and then we gave him a good brush all over, which he seemed to enjoy!

Ozzy is schooled in a rope halter, but last time we took him out of the field he pulled away and ran off so this time we decided to use a Le Mieux control headcollar just in case.

I led my pony, AJ, up the lane and OH led Ozzy. The plan was to take them for a little walk, then let them have a 5 minute graze, then take them back.

Well, my wonderful 16- year old hunting pony AJ was an absolute idiot! He was snorting and spooking at pretty much everything. Ozzy, on the other hand, was incredibly well behaved. The 'control' noseband did not have to be engaged at any point. He was lovely and relaxed for almost all of the time and didn't really put a hoof wrong.

Just a week of groundwork has made a world of difference. Ozzy is so much more trusting and relaxed. Even if there's a setback at some stage, it takes nothing away from today and how well he's done.
The next test for Ozzy will be the EP visit next Wednesday. His feet are quite overgrown with a fair bit of flair on the hinds. Hopefully he'll allow our EP to work her magic!

Here he is after his little walk, contemplating his life in the Highlands so far. (I'm going out to put some sunscreen on that nose in a minute - first sunny day we've had here in ages and I worry that he'll get burnt!)


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Love this update , what a little star
 
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