Ozzy's Trick

[harnessphoto]

It just occured to me that I never shared Ozzy's favorite trick with you guys! I joke that this is the only thing he's good for, and while I don't mean it, it would never get us very far in the show ring. Enjoy!

Click to view

RE: People who think I'm FORCING my horse to lie down. ozzy

Comments

[mysupernova]

I personally think that is awesome!

If thats the only thing he's good at then so be it.

[harnessphoto]

well... that and he's not afraid of pretty much anything. we're training for endurance, but we've got a long ways to go :)

[mysupernova]

I don't doubt he'll do fine at endurance, seems trustful & trustworthy.

Keep us posted :)

[onehorsefarms]

Ummmmmmmmmm, I am going to say this as kindly as I can... but that isn't really a trick sweetie.

A trick would be if you made an arm motion, tapped your horse on the shoulder, or said a word and he laid down.

What you did was to gently trip your horse with a rope, forcing it to lay down because it couldn't stand on three legs.

I could go out and do this to my horse right now, although I won't because while I respect your right to live your life however you see fit, I think this is a potentially dangerous situation (plus I tend to ride with a helmet because I have seen one too many "bombproof" horses buck, trip, fall and riders get hurt).

When I was little I read a book about "old timer" horse training and it used ropes to do things like this. It is one way to do things, but it isn't for me.

[harnessphoto]

the only reason it took so long is because he's rusty. i assure you that my horse is fully capable of bowing, etc, without so much as a halter on. what you don't know is that i dislocated my ankle recently and the rope serves as a safety to keep me out of his way in case anything should go wrong. i appreciate your concern, but i think your point needs to be addressed. here you'll see my horse doing his trick without the assistance of the rope around his leg:

[onehorsefarms]

i'm sorry we aren't accomplished enough for you yet

Nothing to be sorry for. I respect your right to take whatever risks you want with your horse. But a video like this might make someone think, "I wanna try that!" and they run out with a rope... and disaster strikes and they injury themselves or their horse.

but your lack of understanding indicates to me that you probably could NOT go out

I have lots of levels of understanding, but I would agree that this would not be a wise method to "try at home."

If I wanted to make my horse lay down I would teach him to circle with his nose to the ground first, like he was going to lay down to roll. If I asked for this command enough times it gradually works into laying down and I don't have to be close enough to him to risk injury if he lashed out.

Picture #2 does show him bowing, but to me it still looks like you are forcing him to lay down instead of just giving him a cue and he drops of his own accord.

Again, I really do respect your right to take whatever risks you want, but I worry

[harnessphoto]

nowhere did i say that i wanted people to try this at home. in the same way that people posting photos of themselves jumping don't include comments like "don't try this at home", i don't feel the need to warn people against this sort of thing. actually... i had a post about it a long while back, complete with a disclaimer at the bottom. sharing and instructing are not the same thing

[xihateyourx]

Ozzy is awesome, the bond you guys have, which I've witnessed, is really amazing! You guys are horsey soul mates! ;)

[harnessphoto]

i couldn't have a normal horsey soul mate? damn.

[tabascokat]

Alright, guys, everyone calm down.

I might would have a different opinion of this, if I hadn't seen it done by respected trainers.
Honestly, I've thought about teaching mine the same trick. I would like to see the ones you mentioned, as well.
I enjoyed the video ^_^

Either way, I think that's enough debate on the matter =}

[onehorsefarms]

I am calm. It's all good. :)

[tabascokat]

=}

[harnessphoto]

i think we managed to get back to being civil :) i'm hoping for no hard feelings.

lj ate my comment

[xihateyourx]

Ozzy is your horsey soul mate!!!! You guys are amazing together!!! Congrats!!