Ozzy Osbourne Shared How a Horse Led Him to Quit LSD Before His Passing at 76

How did Ozzy Osbourne’s LSD experience with a horse impact his decision to stop using drugs?

Imagine standing in a field, talking to a horse for an hour, only to have it tell you to go away. Sounds like a scene from a movie, right?

For rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, this was a real moment that changed his life.

Known as the “Prince of Darkness” and the frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy lived a life full of music, fame, and wild experiences.

One unforgettable story from his past involves a horse and a decision to stop using LSD. Let’s dive into this surprising tale and how it shaped his journey.

A Rock Star’s Wild Days

In the 1970s, Ozzy Osbourne was at the peak of his career with Black Sabbath. The band was creating heavy metal history with albums like Vol. 4, recorded in Los Angeles. During this time, Ozzy and his bandmates lived a fast-paced life filled with music and heavy drug use.

Ozzy later shared in a 2022 interview with Classic Rock that people in America often spiked drinks with LSD, a powerful drug that alters the mind. He admitted to taking handfuls of LSD tabs without much thought, embracing the chaotic lifestyle of a rock star. But one strange event in England would make him rethink his choices.

Ozzy Osbourne’s LSD Experience with a Horse That Spoke

After returning to England from the U.S., Ozzy’s drug use led to a bizarre moment. He took 10 tabs of LSD and went for a walk in a field. There, he found himself talking to a horse for about an hour. In his mind, the conversation was real, but it took a turn when the horse seemed to tell him to “f*** off.”

He said, “I took 10 tabs of acid then went for a walk in a field. I ended up standing there talking to this horse for about an hour. In the end the horse turned round and told me to fuck off. That was it for me.”

In 2018 he told Orange County Register, “I now think, ‘how did I think going into a bar and getting smashed and doing all that cocaine was fun?”

“I don’t drink alcohol anymore…I don’t smoke tobacco. I don’t use drugs…I’m doing good right now.“

This shocking moment was a wake-up call for Ozzy. He later said, “That was it for me,” marking the end of his LSD use. This story, shared in interviews with outlets like Newsweek and Daily Mail, became one of the most memorable tales from his drug-filled past.

A Step Toward Sobriety

While the horse encounter stopped Ozzy from using LSD, his battle with addiction wasn’t over. He struggled with alcohol and other drugs for years, facing challenges like being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to his unpredictable behavior.

Over time, with the support of his wife, Sharon, and professional help, Ozzy worked toward sobriety. By May 2025, just months before his passing at age 76, he told The Guardian he was sober and living a quieter life. His story of overcoming addiction, sparked by that odd moment with a horse, continues to inspire fans and those facing similar struggles.

Ozzy Osbourne’s life was full of highs and lows, from creating heavy metal to starring in the reality show The Osbournes. His encounter with a horse wasn’t just a funny story—it was a turning point that helped him take a step away from a dangerous drug.

This moment, combined with his later efforts to get sober, shows how even the wildest rock stars can find a path to change. Ozzy’s legacy lives on through his music and the stories that remind us of his larger-than-life personality.

You might also want to read: Sharon Osbourne Finally Breaks Silence After Ozzy’s Death