Possible Lease Pon #1

Meet Oscar

Except, we already know Oscar.

But on the flip side, we don't know Oscar as well as we thought.

And by we, I mean me.

"Stop blabbing, woman"

I rode Oscar for the first time a little under a year ago, and I remember feeling quite comfortable with him. I can say with 99% certainty that he was comfortable with me too; this horse is unflappable. He's an OTTB, and while he does get a bit speedy while cantering in groups, you literally just have to whisper "whoa" and immediately he's right back with you.

It's because of this that I strongly considered him as my lease horse for next year. Unfortunately, his chances of coming home with me were shot after the very first lesson. A fellow team member told me about all the issues Oscar had and still has. He was only used twice in my lesson last year. The first time was when he being ridden by someone else (and subsequently broke her wrist or elbow or something in that general area). The second time he was used, I started out on him. I couldn't sit his trot, but he was nice otherwise. Those big brown eyes are relaxing. From those who rode him often, he was "unpredictable" and generally a mess over fences with lots of, um, playing afterwards. Over the summer, he went away for six weeks to learn a thing or two, and his owner rides him once a week while he's also used in lessons.

"Couldn't hear you. I was too busy not caring :/"

Even after learning all that, I was still 100% willing to give it a shot, and guys, this horse is a complete goof. I can't get over his temperament. In the span of two hours he:

• didn't want to move out of the way when I tried to open his stall gate because moving is hard
• required my assistance to put his foot down after being picked out
• sniffed several butts while we were in the ring
• basically had to be kept away from the group because he wants to be everyone's friend, but not everyone is friendly
• licked the barrels
• picked up a barrel when he decided licking wasn't sufficient
• put in the smallest chip ever (i.e. I have no idea how to jump)
• managed to keep walking with me despite grabbing grass every few steps
• tried to eat everything within reach
• became very offended when I dared to play with his mouth, but took it back immediately and put all his weight on me for a short nap (he is huge, guys)
• picked up his grain pan and threw it around, demanding that someone feed him after his very long and challenging ride with me

He's a complete ham.

"That's Prince Ham, to you"

He rode extremely well, too. I still couldn't sit his trot, but in my defense, the saddle I had today was quite small for me and too wide for him. I was basically sitting on his withers with no cantle to move back to. What fun. The saddle also caused some issues at the canter because, again, couldn't get back, especially when he had his forward moments. Most of my struggles were actually in how long to keep my reins. He does better in a shorter rein, but he's literally so disinterested in everything that if you ride him on a long rein, he's just so whatever about it. He's not completely soft in his jaw either and has a tendency to hang, which made me a bit unsure about my hands.

He jumped awesomely, too. He gets a bit quick and heavy if you don't have enough contact, but it's not even a run away kind of quick, more like a "I'm a big horse and you're not keeping me together" quick.

Not kidding about this saddle. Also, what a nice, all white tack set.

Basically, Oscar put up with my shit for an hour, and I owe him my life. He's not going to be the horse I take home to the parents, but he'll be a huge confidence builder for me. This certainly isn't the last y'all will see of him.