Bringing Ozzie Home

Bringing Ozzie “Home”

The experience of walking up to a paddock, having a horse raise his head and recognize you and walk toward you is like nothing else. Yes, I am a mom, and that is an incredible experience but this tugs at a different part of me, it’s something I saw in my core for a long time.

So after about a decade out of horses, and riding a lot of other people’s horses I am a very proud horse owner.

The day I bought him. 

Following our Initiation at Eastern Mojave, Ozzie (registered name is SCA Opimian, a full Arabian – Russian lines - who hails from Sturgeon Creek Arabians in Canada. His name comes from an ancient Roman who had a hankering for good wine – right up my alley) had a few days off and then a vet check, which he passed with flying colors. The vet used words like “nice movement”, “I like this horse”, and “perfect.” I bought him, and brought him home last Tuesday (a week ago yesterday).

I also told my husband. Yes, I bought the horse before telling him. He took it very well actually, and I wonder if some day I’ll be looking for a husband horse. Big thanks to my fabulous friend and her husband, (kept anonymous to protect the innocent) for trailering Ozzie home. 

“Home” for Ozzie, is Aliso Ranch in Santa Paula. Aliso is a working cattle 7000-acre cattle ranch with incredible trails, hills, water crossing, water troughs throughout the ranch and a lot of nice people. Of course we moved in days before the first rain in months, but that’s ok, gives us more time to get comfortable there, get tack squared away and move in.

Ok I have a horse? Now what. Well now it's time for saddle, bridle, brushes, and other grooming paraphernalia. I'm so thankful to Vicky (a friend at Aliso) who has offered up ALL of her stuff - and gifted me a headstall - for me to use, so I can build my own supplies a little at a time. But I got a few things to start off with. The right bit;  Shiny new halter and lead rope (I hate the lead rope I got, one of those nylon ones, too light and flimsy... need a heavy cotton one I think), brush, curry comb, hoof pick. Bag of beet pulp pellets, some integrity performance feed. I'm trying out a fabulous used Big Horn saddle making sure it fits, and that's about it. On my list over the next few months: a new saddle pad, replacing my leather breast collar with a synthetic one, fleece cooler, crupper, a water proof blanket for cool nights when we are away at rides, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

Yesterday I rode Ozzie for the first time as my horse. The arena and pens were still closed because of the rain, and I was planning to just walk around the ranch, not very exciting, but still good for him to get used to his new environment. We explored the back side of the arena with menacing looking hoses and pieces of wood, did some circles in the parking area, and then one of the true cowboys of the ranch invited us to tag along with him up the road a bit.

The view from Ozzie's paddock, looking toward the big arena and the
ranch beyond. 

We went up the canyon, over a creek and tested out the footing heading up a hill, it’s drying out fairly quick but we didn’t want to push it going up too far, as it might still be a bit slippery on the way down. Our tour guide peeled off from us on the way back, to take the long way home, and give both of us a chance to ride home alone, good for both horses. That was the first time I was on the trail alone with Ozzie. Both of us did great, just easy walking in, looking at some fallen trees, some bit plastic pipes near the cow barn and getting used to walking between rows of lemon trees – surely something is lurking in the rows of citrus that will jump out at any minute. He’s also getting used to going over the big wooden bridge that leaves the ranch.

I hope to introduce him to cattle soon, with the help of a cow horse. Ozzie has gotten to watch some cattle during dinner time when they come out of the hills to be fed (due to drought there isn’t much food out on the ranch), sometimes he barely notices them, and other times he snorts and trots and flicks his tail.

 

What is that big black moooooing thing? 

I'm settling into my new schedule too. Balancing riding with work, family and sleeping, taking it easy at first, I’ve marked off three days a week to ride to start. That shouldn’t strain the marriage too much, right?

While I was planning to ride in a couple weeks at Cuyama (which is practically in my backyard, just 60 miles from where I live) for a few reasons it’s not going to pan out. My budget is stretched a bit this month as I line up needed tack (although I’ve gotten a lot of “donations” and loans, which is so appreciated) and get a few necessities that I’d rather not borrow or share. So I’m eyeing Vail Lake.

Happy Days & Happy Trails.