Horse collecting

Have you ever driven by a field and there were just way too many horses in it? And you wonder, why in the world would anyone want that many horses? What do they do with them all? Their field is just dirt (or mud) and it must cost a fortune to feed them all and vet them and have the farrier out, etc.... what causes folks to 'collect' horses. Perhaps, you were driving past my house when you thought this!!!

What causes horse collecting? Is it a disease? A disorder of some sort? I dunno, but if it is, I think I'm recovering from it myself!!!

Perhaps it starts with the search for the 'perfect' horse - which I am convinced is really not out there- or perhaps it starts with the indecision over what style riding you are doing or maybe it is just that you cant resist that beautiful mare. However it starts, I think this winter has 'healed' me!!!

Yesterday as my husband and I were wrestling with a heavy (and frozen) tarp covering our hay supply in 6 degree weather with a slight breeze, I decided that this just isnt fun anymore....maybe its my age...but at the time, getting down to just a couple horses sounded really good!

Now that I've thawed out, reducing our numbers still sounds good. When I really start counting up I think my husband and I spend a whole lot more time (and money) taking care of our horses than we do 'enjoying' them. Now, dont get me wrong, I'd rather care for my horses myself than have them at a boarding stable where everything is done for me (and the horse), but taking care of a whole herd in single digit weather just has lost its appeal to this 'ole' lady.

Still, just before turning the lights off in the barn, smelling the clean shavings and hay, listening to the horses happily munching away and just knowing all is well, is a really great feeling.

So, perhaps this is how folks like me end up with more horses than they can ride. Maybe when the weather warms up, I'll be able to laugh about it too!