Anyone else worry they are obsessed?

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Mongoose11

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Sometimes I wonder if having my beloved mare is actually limiting my life in other ways.

I have been very successful in my career already but never feel that I am 100% there when I am at work, I just keep thinking about getting to the yard. I am constantly trying to find ways to leave as soon as I can so that I can head to the farm as soon as possible and it is noticed by other colleagues - a lot of people in my position are forever holding after school meetings and stuff and I am out of the door on the bell. I obviously do a lot of work at home but constantly feel distracted and resentful during the day.

I have no other social life and I don't want one, I spend all of my money on her and sometimes feel totally consumed.....

Anyone else?
 
Billie1007 said:
Sometimes I wonder if having my beloved mare is actually limiting my life in other ways.

I have been very successful in my career already but never feel that I am 100% there when I am at work, I just keep thinking about getting to the yard. I am constantly trying to find ways to leave as soon as I can so that I can head to the farm as soon as possible and it is noticed by other colleagues - a lot of people in my position are forever holding after school meetings and stuff and I am out of the door on the bell. I obviously do a lot of work at home but constantly feel distracted and resentful during the day.

I have no other social life and I don't want one, I spend all of my money on her and sometimes feel totally consumed.....

Anyone else?
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Yes!!! Me, I get anxious when I am away from home. I keep my horse at home so my work has to revolve around my dogs and horse, hence have to be self employed. Its ridiculous I know.
 
Me... Mine is just down to will power...Studying is extemely hard when i havent had my "horsey fix", all i think about is yard,stables,my horses, what they need, what i need, how to improve ect. All my money goes on them and i would not have it any other way! I do manage a slight social life maybe twice a month but the yard is my social life, it keeps me sane! I'm so lucky in the way i have friends who are really there for me and that makes me want to go even more, i just need to find the right balance, ie tonight i have done 3hours of studying, i have not been well and now feel exhausted and need to see the ponies as a espcape and to de-stress as such. x
 
I think most of us are a tad obsessed.

The question to ask yourself is what sort of person you would be without horses. Would you be happy? I gave them up for several years to keep ex happy and I was a really horrible and miserable person for much of that time. Some of us don't just want horses, they fulfill some deep need in us.
 
Yeah I do too especially now its dark and wintery and I can't spend that much time actually with my horse in the evening! I spend waaay too much time looking on here, and when I'm not on here I'm idly browsing facebook or eBay on my phone or something for horse related stuff and then I get sucked into some article about how a certain bit works or something, no interest in my uni work and probably should have done equine studies as I assume I'd be more interested even if its not that easy to get a job after, I study zoology so they're hardly worlds apart... I am just all consumed with anything horse related, oh well!

I am not too bothered about social life either, I don't think I've really spent time with anyone other than my BF and my horse for some time which is becoming the norm :-/ I hardly even notice!
 
This made me chuckle I do some other work equally not the norm but mostly work with horses, my family are heavily involved in their own horsey stuff.

So I spend lot's of time with horses or people involved with horses, I have been single for years yes years,, I am not a troll as in the ugly one's not the internet one and am sure if I had a full time normal job I could not do it because I would be trying to get to the horses.
I was informed by a non horsey friend that I have a problem with animals especially horses, she thinks it is such a shame as she thinks I am so pretty and have alot to give.

I thought this made me sound a bit like a labrador in a dogs home looking for an owner, I have a great life my other job is happy to let me off for my horsey stuff, so we are all happy.

I guess the boyfriend thing is a bit well not the norm but I don't go many places to meet someone, am I obsessed probably yes does it harm anyone no and there are worse obsessions.
 
I figured I wouldn't be the only one but I guess what I am saying is my desire to be with her or reading about horsesn researching stuff, buying stuff etc is making the other parts of my life suck. I despise work but didn't before I had her, I was so driven and determined I now I just want to get in and get out and spend the whole day bitter that I am not at the farm!

I couldn't be without it, don't know what I used to do before horses.... Oh yes, I do actually but can't write about it here ;)
 
As stated before we as a family are heavily involved in the equestrian industry, my dad does say all the time , Horses are a disease some people play at it for a while until they realise how hard it can be, and then if you are still there you have the disease for life.

It is something I have never been away from and would find it very hard to do so, it has contributed to the demise of several relationships, along with the dog sleeping in the bed.;)
 
Billie1007 said:
I figured I wouldn't be the only one but I guess what I am saying is my desire to be with her or reading about horsesn researching stuff, buying stuff etc is making the other parts of my life suck. I despise work but didn't before I had her, I was so driven and determined I now I just want to get in and get out and spend the whole day bitter that I am not at the farm!

I couldn't be without it, don't know what I used to do before horses.... Oh yes, I do actually but can't write about it here ;)
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People have worse cravings, horse cravings have been part of my life for the neck end of 50 years.
 
I totally understand what you are saying. i have been obsessed with equines since birth I think. i lived in town with parents that had little money and I would walk for hours to the stables just to help muck out. I had a brief spell ( mum had a bad riding accident) where I wasnt involved with them but got my first on loan at 21. I dont need to ride (46 now ) but just love being around them. My kids have no 6 coming after christmas and I might be able to ride this one. My old horses have died since kids were born so we have gone from 11h up to one that I can ride aswell. The kids ride 100 times better than me anyway but I just love being near them. I look out of train windows just hoping to see any.
None of my family are particularly horsey and Mum only rode for a short while but both my kids are becoming good horse people and wether I ever ride again I will keep equines of some form.
 
Haha I do the same on the train maree, have to be careful when driving the car! BF says they shouldn't put horses next to the motorway they're too distracting! It makes me happy when there are horses mentioned on TV programmes or even seeing police horses on the news! Such a saddo :-) I am pretty obsessed with animals in general I guess. My ability to motivate myself has not exactly improved since I got a horse where I did think it might provide that balance I needed in life... Maybe I'm still in the honeymoon period as I was sharing last year after a long break, loaned over summer and now have my own!
 
mandwhy said:
Haha I do the same on the train maree, have to be careful when driving the car! BF says they shouldn't put horses next to the motorway they're too distracting! It makes me happy when there are horses mentioned on TV programmes or even seeing police horses on the news! Such a saddo :-) I am pretty obsessed with animals in general I guess. My ability to motivate myself has not exactly improved since I got a horse where I did think it might provide that balance I needed in life... Maybe I'm still in the honeymoon period as I was sharing last year after a long break, loaned over summer and now have my own!
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Love this, you could be describing me and I've always been the same, I'm late 50's now.
Visiting my sister in Portugal, knowing she is terrified of dogs, I warned her that two dogs were likely to start fighting, they did and my sister was amazed that I could predict it (not rocket science)
I still scan fields to see whats in them and have to resist the urge to go pet strange horses, I was early 50's when I fed all my apples just bought to two police horses standing on a street corner, Can't help myself
 
No I don't anymore. I grew up completely engrossed and obsessed with my horse I had then, and he was my life. I love my girl to pieces, and she is a major part of my life, but that is exactly it, she's a PART of my life. I love my OH, and my other animals too, and my family, so I make sure I make time for all of them. Unfortunately it does mean that none of them get the amount of time I would like to spend with each. My career takes up a huge part of my time too, and quite often I am not home on time or anywhere near the scheduled end of my shift due to unexpected incidents, so I have to except that I do have to sacrifice time with all of them.:(
 
Nope, not in the slightest. I'm SANE.

And my horses keep me that way. After work time is horse time and I am obsessive about keeping it that way.

Speaking of which .... CU tomorrow :D
 
I think it's unhealthy to be so obsessed with pets or horses etc that other humans get ignored or you don't have a social life.
 
I was utterly obsessive until I was 22 then just like that I lost interest for ten years. Back into them now and apart from an eBay addiction and a credit card habit connected to horses (!) I am not quite as obsessed as previously but perhaps enjoying it even more. Hmmm :D
 
Not as much as I used to be. Since the beginning of September I've had someone doing my horse Monday to Friday so that I can concentrate more on work without worrying about the horse. I know he is well cared for and not fretting by the gate getting kicked etc. because I'm late plus I travel a bit so my hours vary quite a lot.

Over the years I've done both DIY and Part-livery at various depending on work and other pressures and found being on DIY is more distracting because of the worry and finding cover if you want to go away even for a day.

I like doing other non-horsey things but it's usually lack of spare dosh and time that prevents it not will :)
 
Your job is stressful enough, I take it likeme you are a teacher?

Like us I am sure you are bombarded with targets, ofsted, results, exams, work, work scunities and just dealing with kids 24/7.

I love what I do but.....the paper, lack of time and 110% giving of me is grating. Why not want to be with your horses, they are de-stress and somewhere you feel happy.

As for after school clubs, don't feel bad, I spent hours on trips till stupid o' clock.... Because others have children. I get no thanks from management ( who never go) then. Am back next day to do a normal day.....

I wish our parents who don't work ( inner city, huge school meals and low income) would just spend some time with their kids helping them with reading and literacy ( they probably can't read too well!)

Single @ 30 with two horses, woud go mad if I gad no one..... I am far too involved and wrapped up in work enough. Don't fell bad, many colleges sai through the door on bell and they are not that committed!
 
I'm definitely obsessed! Always been obsessed with horses but now I have my own its hard to get the right balance between him and studying.
I was so depressed before I got him and knew that having a horse would give me something to look forward too. Before I was studying, then would just do nothing in the evenings or weekends, then repeat but now I think 'just finish this essay then I can go to the yard!' I've never been happier! Made great friends and love every minute of shovelling poop and stuffing haynets! But maybe should leave time for other things..
 
I'm completely obsessed with horses, I always have been. My mum and dad are complete football nuts, following not only Man Utd, but also all their reserves, their youth team and FC United, going to two or three matches a week sometimes, plus usually going on holiday with the team tours and always having football on the TV. I think we just know what we like and don't do things by halves but other people must be like, "don't you ever want to do anything different?" :o
 
Enfys said:
Not in the slightest.

They fit around my life, not me around theirs.
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This :) I have two. Kept at home and I adore them, but equally I love my job (self employed) love my husband (non horsey, but a farmer so it would be unfair if I was always off riding when he's free, although he is very good about driving the horsebox ;) )

I think it's healthy to have a social life of some sorts and out of my group of friends only have a few who are truly horsey (they are very dear friends though) I've no wish to smell horsey all day or wear jods all day. I have to say I do struggle with the concept of taking on more horses than you have time or money and going without for them, my two get the best of everything and never go without, but nor do I :) I don't really think about my horses when I'm doing non horsey things because they are just out in the field, doing horsey things :)
 
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Wow I didn't even realise I was 'obsessed' until I really thought about it! I grew up on a farm so always been around horses but parents did think I'd grow out of it, now in my 30s and bought a youngster last year! Thinking about it yes I do plan my life around my horse, I even set up my own business from home in order to be able to pay for my horse as I have a toddler so have to juggle a lot of my time, luckily my OH is supportive! I went a few years in my teens horseless and it was the worst time of my life, I spent a lot of money going out clubbing! Should have spent that money on a horse looking back but had parents and ex telling me it's not practical, I was definitely depressed at the time! Bad choices all round! I've got there in the end anyhow. Now I'm focusing on how to buy some land and buy another horse for OH and maybe a pony for my son if he's into it! I never enjoyed my office jobs and have never been career driven but with horses I think I could do a degree easily as I spend hours every day researching all things equine, if only I was like that with my college studies! I was discouraged from going into horses as a career, I know now that I will support my son in whatever he enjoys regardless of if it pays well. Wow looks like I still have a bit of resentment over it, anyhoo my life is complete now!
 
I feel a bit like this at the moment. When I should be doing other things (ie I'm not at the yard) I find myself coming on here / researching different things / looking on tack shops and it is to the detriment of other areas of my life - let's blame the internet! ;)

I'm hoping it's because I've only had my new horse for 1 month and that things will settle down and balance will be restored again soon - also, like someone else said, it's hard to get your fix with this rubbish weather and dark evenings.

I do think it's important to have a balance in life - especially if you have other people that want to spend a bit of time with you - but it's also very important to have something that is selfishly just for you. Each to their own though and as long as nothing else is suffering as a result of it then it's fine.

Right....must get off here and get back to wor...oooh I wonder if there are any cheap deals on waterproof hi-viz excersize rugs.... :D
 
Been thinking more about this today, I can't work out whether my head isn't in my work because I have had enough there and I need more challenge or whether it is the fact that I am on DIY and am constantly thinking about the pressure of getting to her as soon as possible as it is dark and wet and I want to get her to bed.

So I am going to explore some possibilities..... I am off to look at another school on Tues, there is a Deputy job advertised and it is a school only recently out of special measures, I need to feel useful and challenged. After 8 years at my place it may well be time to move on.

I am also going to ask another livery if they want to be paid for looking after my mare at least three days a week, or five depending on cost. I will still go to her everyday and groom/tuck her in/ride (when I can again). But I really need to explore what life is like without feeling the winter pressure of getting to her as soon as I possibly can, I will be able to have meetings, finish stuff off without having her constantly on my mind. Moving to a full livery yard isn't an option, I have never been happier on a yard than I am now.

I can but try. I can't go on like this, resenting every moment that I am not there. These horses get under your skin ay!?
 
I love my horse to pieces and value the time I spend with him, but he is not my life. Echoing some other posts on this thread, he is part of my life and he fits in around the rest of my life. There is far more to life than being a horse-owner in my opinion, although I am not disregarding the emotional connection that people have with their horses; it just shouldn't rule one's life.

I am really busy with work etc. and I like to have a social life as well, so I arrange it with a friend that we both only go to the yard once a day; generally I do the mornings and she does the evening. I actually feel a bit restricted if I have to go twice a day as I then have to cut other things short and I feel a bit distracted by the fact I have to go to the yard again; I think that having time away from the yard is just as important as enjoying the time spent with the horse.
 
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