The Ozzy Diaries

24th November

Ozzy's first time under saddle since the famous bucking incident (over a month ago!)

We've been leading Ozzy out in hand and working with him on the tacking up. Things did improve quite a bit, and once we'd changed his bit for the Myler-type snaffle he was no trouble with the bridle at all.
The more I get to know him, the greener I realise he is. Yesterday OH was clearing poo from around the haybell and Ozzy thought it would be hilarious to grab OH's beanie hat in his teeth and chuck it in the mud. Clearly, this is not acceptable (and OH has a mark on his head from this incident) - he shouted and left Ozzy in no doubt that this would not be tolerated!
We chatted about how Snoopy used to do this when he went through the Kevin phase, age 5-6. Ozzy is 8, but so green!

A friend contacted me to ask if her daughter, who is doing a full-time equine management course, could come over for a hack today. This would be our very first chance to get all three horses out together! I rode Snoopy, my friend's daughter rode AJ and OH had the dubious honour of riding the cheeky beast for the first time in ages.
Ozzy was good to groom and tack up. He was fine when OH mounted him. And then, as soon as he was asked to move off, he threw a fly buck. Fortunately, OH was half expecting it and was well prepared, but shouted out "OI!!!" loudly...Ozzy didn't do another buck and moved forward towards the other two.

We decided to sandwich Ozzy between Snoopy and AJ and went on a decent circular hack around the village. What an excellent boy he was! Absolutely no napping and moving very nicely, listening to his rider. All three horses seemed so happy and relaxed! It got quite dark (and wet) at one stage and there were lots of cars skimming through the surface water with headlamps on...Ozzy didn't bat an eyelid.
Of course, he got a huge fuss and a Stud Muffin when we all got back.
So we're now thinking that the napping is insecurity/lack of confidence - he clearly doesn't like leaving a horse behind in the field.
It's a pity we can't hack all three out more often. But right now we're very happy. And OH is pleased - it takes a bit of nerve to get back on after all that.

The only thing that stopped him getting the Bestest Cob award was the initial buck. OH thinks that Ozzy is one of those green cobs that likes to 'try it on' with cheeky behaviour at times. Hopefully he will learn - but if anyone has any suggestions re. the buck, I'll be interested to hear them. (He was stationary when he kicked out and OH hardly moved - but I'd really rather he didn't do it!)

Here they are, having got back from their hack, acting like they've done a major endurance ride. They're now having a good sleep!

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kaiserchief said:
Great work! Can the friend's daughter come over more often so you can take them all out until it becomes just another thing you do?
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Unfortunately she's away almost full-time at college, which is a considerable distance away. But it would be great if she could come over whenever she's at home. It was lovely to get them all out together!
 
I don't pretend to be an expert but I do have a young cob cross who is the sweetest boy but is prone to throwing a cheeky buck when he's excited and thinks he can get away with it. I generally find an immediate loud, sharp verbal reprimand followed by firmly pushing him on (while muttering crossly about what a naughty sod he is!) and otherwise ignoring it is most effective. In other words, exactly what your OH did. I think with types like that there's a balance to be had between letting them know you are displeased while not making a big production out of it which would either wind them up further or (worse) teach them that behaving like that gets them out of work, even for a few minutes. Of course it depends on the horse but that's been my experience with my boy.
 
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