HAD – Horse Addiction Disorder – It’s a real disease!
Written by Rocky Mountain Woman on January 9, 2013 – 1:02 pm -
This post is in honor of the letter “H” and part of Jenny Matlock’s Alphabet Thursday. For more hilarious “H” posts, please click here http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/
HAD (Horse Addiction Disorder) refers to the psychological dependence on equines.
Unfortunately there is no known cure for this condition as deprivation is likely to lead to the sufferers actively seeking and/or approaching random equines. Not only could this pose potential dangers to the individual, but this behaviour inevitably reinforces the sufferer’s obsession with horses. In other words it’s a vicious circle!
HAD sufferers should be permitted their equine time despite the negative consequences which include: significantly reduced social hours with non horsey people, decreased regard for personal appearance and the strong possibility of their obsession causing poverty.
HAD sufferers are generally happy people, in fact all of them will tell you they don’t suffer from this condition, they survive because of it!
I saw this on several different websites that cater to us horsey types, and got quite a kick out it. It’s absolutely true!
It started for me about the time I turned 40, this overwhelming desire to be around horses as much as I could. It lead to the acquisition of two mares, which eventually led to the purchase of a truck and trailer, a large plot of land in the middle of nowhere and all kinds of various and assorted horse related accessories.
Since this disorder (I can’t tell you how happy I am that I have a real disease and not just that I am weak and indulge myself) typically starts when women are in their early teens and have very little money, it usually isn’t quite as devastating financially. If it strikes when you are more established financially, that just means that you have more to spend (and lose) on treatment (i.e. more horses, more t-shirts with cute horse sayings on them, a bigger truck, bigger trailer, a barn, well, you get the picture).
There was a time in my life when everything I did or said revolved around my disease. I worked all day, but then came home to brush, feed, clean and ride my horses. At one point, I ended up with nine of them!
Fortunately, I’m in recovery. I still keep horses and love them, but I don’t feel like I have to buy every horse that looks like it wants to come home with me, and I don’t think every mare on my place needs to be pregnant most of the time. For one thing, I just don’t have the energy I had once and there are limits to what I can do physically and financially, so I’ve cut down, waaayyy down. Every once in a while, though, I pass a new born foal on a neighbor’s farm, or I see an amazing stallion who would be a great cross on a certain mare and I get the itch. It’s probably something like an ex-smoker who gets a whiff of cigarette smoke on occasion.
At any rate, I’m not ready to give it up entirely and who knows what the future will bring? There may be one more special baby who will take the show world by storm in my future. For now, I like to think of myself as being in semi-retirement. When the house is completely finished and I finally get a barn built, I may just start looking for that perfect Arabian mare who wants to have a baby or two. You never know what might happen around this place!
Xxoo,
RMW
Posted in She Rides | 32 Comments »
January 9th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
That syndrome exists here in Chicago. It started in 5th grade with riding lessons. 20 years later, our daughter is a horse trainer (and makes a good living, happy to say). But they are all-encompassing, for sure. More photographs of your farm would be welcome.
January 9th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Sue!
So you suffer from HAD also! I have moved the horses temporarily to a boarding facility until the house is finished, then I will build a barn. They took offense at the cold (they are Arabians). How fun for your daughter to make a living at something she loves!!!
xxoo,
RMW
January 9th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
I just love horses and have had this
secret desire to be a “Cowgirl” but,
horses scare me.. really! I love to
be near them and pet them because their
so beautiful.. but when I try to ride them
I get scared.. strange!
Love your post
Sandy
January 9th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
That foal is perfect! My Granddaughter (9) is in love with hoses. She went to “horse camp,” for a day last week and brought her notes to read to me last weekend. She takes jumping lessons once a week and longs for a horse of her own – not on the horizon at this point!
January 9th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
I felt very similarly from the age of 8 or 9 on, and my life definitely revolved around horses for years until college came around. It’s one of the biggest things I miss living in the city.
January 9th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
I didn’t know that HAD was real but I can so see it being real! They’re such beautiful creatures and I can see why people love them so
January 9th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
I love this! Of course my version is GAS (Goat Addiction Syndrome).
I do hope you have that last foal or so.
January 9th, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Whenever I go crabbing, I see people riding horses on the beach. What a fabulous thing that is! Once, when my youngest brother and his family visited Tucson, we took them on a ride into the desert. It was such an excellent experience to ride toward the mountains at sunset! I’m sure they will never forget it.
January 10th, 2013 at 3:01 am
Had same addiction too – maybe will take it up again here with Andalusian horses!
January 10th, 2013 at 4:13 am
Although I don’t have you addiction I certainly do love horses! It;s wonderful that it makes you feel so happy.
January 10th, 2013 at 6:50 am
You can’t cure it no matter how hard you try. LOL
January 10th, 2013 at 7:22 am
If I lived in a different part of the world, I would have the same addiction for sure.
Your post really made me smile — and the photo is precious!
January 10th, 2013 at 8:43 am
I look forward to the first two weeks in October at Myrtle Beach. Riders are allowed to ride on the beach. They are such magnificent creatures.
January 10th, 2013 at 9:23 am
Beautiful horse and photo is fantastic ~ Lovely addiction ~ Enjoy ^_^
(A Creative Harbor) aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^)
January 10th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Fancy free…. here I come world!
January 10th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
That is a beautiful horse!!
January 10th, 2013 at 1:02 pm
Sounds like you are on a good track for handling your addiction! At least it’s a fun one!!
January 10th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
This was fun to read and know about you. I love horses, too, but my exposure has been limited to riding lessons when I was young and the occasional ride as an adult.
I always dreamed of having horses, though.
=)
January 10th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
Reading this post has made me high and addicted more to horses. “)
x
January 10th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
I just want a horsie!
January 10th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
It’s a very healthy hobby that gives you many advantages mood.
January 10th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
I love horses and cannot see that as anything one would want cured of. lol
January 10th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
You only think you’re in recovery, but it is that you are surrounded by horses that you’re happy! Glad you didn’t break the bank! Great photo {:-D
January 11th, 2013 at 2:10 am
I adore horses and was quite obsessed with them as a little girl – i’d spend hours drawing horses! But I’ve never owned a horse unfortunately. I’ve ridden a few times and enjoyed it so much. I still dream of someday owning a beautiful palomino. I want to ride with the wind in my hair! I still have time to develop a serious case of HAD in my lifetime.
January 11th, 2013 at 4:40 am
The dog, the horse, I am pretty sure these two animals were put here on Earth to give solace to human beings. Whether it is a disease, an addiction or an incredibly fortunate circumstance, being able to own horses is a gift. What a beautiful post for letter H.
January 11th, 2013 at 6:21 am
I get it, though I’m not a fellow sufferer! I think that this addiction has a lot of benefits!
January 12th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Ordinary Words…I have it to a lesser degree. My sister owns a couple of horses to I get my doses when I see her. Brilliant post♫
January 13th, 2013 at 10:19 am
We gave a horse to our 9 year old granddaughter — and four years later, she has two more. Good thing her mother shares the addiction. It’s wonderful to see her with her horses. I hope her disease never goes into remission.
January 14th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
I know a few horse “addicts.” My experience is that often people good with animals, are not as good with people – but that’s okay!
January 15th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
sweet horse!
sounds like a wonderful disease!
Horse lovers abound in my area.
I did like riding them when I was younger (or even older for that matter). It’s been awhile….
January 21st, 2013 at 6:55 pm
I have a few family members with this particular disease!
I was cured a long time ago when horse walked up and bit me on the shoulder. Hard.
I know, I know.
Everyone said I must have done something but I was just standing there beside the fence and it happened.
I was afeered!
Thanks for linking!
A+
February 13th, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Jenny
This happened to me at a petting zoo once i too was doing nothing wrong
But i also still have this condtion
At my school i have Started a HAD club simmaler to AA meetings
It works wonders