The Ozzy Diaries

8th April

Ozzy goes for an early springtime walk!

We are normally able to keep the horses ticking over during the winter, riding occasionally but enough to ensure that their fitness levels are OK.
This winter was different. The weather has been the worst we've experienced since we moved here. It feels like it's been really cold, gale force winds and torrential rain/sleet/snow for months, coupled with very limited daylight - hence no riding. The upshot of this is that now the days are getting longer (and hopefully warmer), we need to build the boys up before we bring them back into ridden work.

Today our young friend came round to help us and we decided to give the horses a good groom and take them out in hand.
We got them out of the field and a huge wagon suddenly appeared at the junction. Driver said that he'd come to collect something from our neighbour and would it be possible to move the horses. So we decided to do things the other way round and go for a walk first.

As Ozzy was being led out on to the lane, he tensed up very slightly but carried on walking. My friend then said 'Isn't he nervous about being led towards wagons?' Of course, I'd actually forgotten how scared he used to be - and today he was being led, in front, directly towards the back of the wagon! However, he didn't react badly or try and run off, which is what he's done in the past.
OH then led him, in front, all the way down the lane and to the coastal path. I led Snoopy, who was a handful and wanted to trot (and graze) - is he really almost 27?

Anyway, Ozzy behaved superbly. Very well behaved being led, no spooking or silliness. Not worried in the least by cars, vans, trailers, squealing children, barking dogs. Happy to be in front, even though we took him to a place he'd never visited before.
What a good boy!
He really enjoyed being groomed after his walk. The only thing that stopped him being perfect is that he's gone back to being very reluctant to lift the front right hoof. We will need to get back to working on this. But overall, he was probably the best behaved out of the three.

I *may* be speaking too soon, but I can't help wondering if the fact that he's been left to just chill (literally at time!) with the others has done him some good.
He should understand now that food is not scarce and there's no need to be aggressive about it.

We'll be leading them out again this week but for today I'm very happy with the little Ozmeister!

Will post photos next time....
 
Nancykitt said:
8th April

Ozzy goes for an early springtime walk!

We are normally able to keep the horses ticking over during the winter, riding occasionally but enough to ensure that their fitness levels are OK.
This winter was different. The weather has been the worst we've experienced since we moved here. It feels like it's been really cold, gale force winds and torrential rain/sleet/snow for months, coupled with very limited daylight - hence no riding. The upshot of this is that now the days are getting longer (and hopefully warmer), we need to build the boys up before we bring them back into ridden work.

Today our young friend came round to help us and we decided to give the horses a good groom and take them out in hand.
We got them out of the field and a huge wagon suddenly appeared at the junction. Driver said that he'd come to collect something from our neighbour and would it be possible to move the horses. So we decided to do things the other way round and go for a walk first.

As Ozzy was being led out on to the lane, he tensed up very slightly but carried on walking. My friend then said 'Isn't he nervous about being led towards wagons?' Of course, I'd actually forgotten how scared he used to be - and today he was being led, in front, directly towards the back of the wagon! However, he didn't react badly or try and run off, which is what he's done in the past.
OH then led him, in front, all the way down the lane and to the coastal path. I led Snoopy, who was a handful and wanted to trot (and graze) - is he really almost 27?

Anyway, Ozzy behaved superbly. Very well behaved being led, no spooking or silliness. Not worried in the least by cars, vans, trailers, squealing children, barking dogs. Happy to be in front, even though we took him to a place he'd never visited before.
What a good boy!
He really enjoyed being groomed after his walk. The only thing that stopped him being perfect is that he's gone back to being very reluctant to lift the front right hoof. We will need to get back to working on this. But overall, he was probably the best behaved out of the three.

I *may* be speaking too soon, but I can't help wondering if the fact that he's been left to just chill (literally at time!) with the others has done him some good.
He should understand now that food is not scarce and there's no need to be aggressive about it.

We'll be leading them out again this week but for today I'm very happy with the little Ozmeister!

Will post photos next time....
Click to expand...
Well done Oz and all (even Snoopy!). Sometimes a break is better for them than all the productive faffing we think we're doing. Hopefully this is true for Ozzy :)
 
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