Ok, we've put a deposit on five acres with a stable. The home inspections have not been done yet so the purchase is probably going through but not a done deal. The pastures will need work after we buy it and there's fencing to be done so it's not going to be ready for horses for a couple of months. We have put a deposit on a second horse, but still owe on her purchase price and need to buy tack for her.

This morning, I found myself looking at horse rescues for a third horse. Is there a rehab center I can go to before I have 10 horses on a five acre farmette? I can feel the pressure building inside to acquire more horses and I don't even have a place to put them, yet - GAAAAHHHH!!!

My advice is to quickly acquire a two-pack-a-day smoking habit along with excessive alcohol consuption and maybe spend some 48 hour weekends at the nearest gambling casino. That way you won't have the time, money or health to be involved with horses and you'll at least be addicted to something you CAN get help for. ~FH

uh oh...not sure focusing on other addictions are a good idea but got a good laugh FL horseman!

I have 3 and 3800 acres...I could have more but my relationship with the three I have would suffer and I am a stay at home mom married to a farmer...I have lots of time to spend on them and they do keep me busy!  You might want to look at it that way...I don't think I would every have more then 4, one is pregnate now and I don't think I will be letting the baby go either!

Ah, that's not as bad as me.... ;)

Jessi

LL, you got me thinking that there are probably a lot of us out there, soooo...  Check out my new post for "horse addicts"

I'm not really joking!

Well, you could think about the cost of feeding them all hay when your pastures are gone - 10 horses on 5 acres, yikes. Otherwise, sounds like a good, healthy dose of horse lovers disease!

I smell a support group coming on !

Tricia:

I smell a support group coming on !

Good idea.

Repeat after me. Just for today, I will not purchase or adopt another horse.

where do I sign up?? I've got 2 and a foster horse, and I really want to keep the foster one.... repeat after me:

I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER HORSE TODAY

Did you say 3800 acres?!!!!!??  I didn't think there was that kind of land left in the world!!! And you only have 3 horses!!!!??? I would have herds!!!!!!

My treatment plan requires the following actions-

1) STOP LOOKING  I know, how can you not especially when so many need rescuing now.  But think of this, if you get more than your income can support you will be labeled as a "hoarder" (someone who means well, but can't keep up with the responsiblity) and the humane society will be rescuing horses off your place!

2) Go do something new with the horses you do have.  These forums are great idea givers.  Thanks to someones suggestion, I found out my trail horse can jump!  It's like having a new horse!

3) Watch a horsey movie, visit the forum, go to a tack store- anything to get your mind off buying another!

Atleast these ideas work for me..........kinda............ 

Now, Now, LL.  Nothing like putting the horses before the cart..........or is it putting the cart before the horses?????Or is it putting the horses before the 5 acres???!!!

We have a rehab right here in Oregon.  All you have to do is fly out here.  We'll let you muck our stalls, clean the water buckets, haul in the shavings, hay, and supplements. bathe and clip the horses, and you can even ride them when you have time.  Then we'll treat you to some good wine and food!  You won't have to pay board either!

Have you ever kept horses at your own property, LL???  I guess it's ok if you don't work and have lots of time.

Seriously, though, I'm as addicted as you.  I have one more horse than I should have, and I couldn't  bear to sell any of them.  But I still look on Dreamhorse and all the other sites, anyway.

Good Luck! 

NWBuckskinLvr:

Have you ever kept horses at your own property, LL???  I guess it's ok if you don't work and have lots of time.

Funny, you should say that. I was just thinking this morning that I'll be shlepping out to the stable in the rain and snow even when I've got a cold or stayed up too late the night before; shoveling unmentionables; planning my day around feeding times, farrier's visits, vet visits.

Gotta say though, tiptoeing through the manure piles still sounds like a little slice of heaven to me. As we were house hunting for our retirement place, I kept trying to tell myself that keeping the horses at home was a bad idea. Just kept coming back to the properties with acreage - it was like a magnet. Then when we found a nice place that we could afford and the DH got on board very enthusiastically, I was done for.

I'll let you all know how I'm feeling about this in January!!

hmm....I would love to find a buckskin baby!

uh..oh I think it is contagious!

Go slowly!  5 acres is not much . . . . 3 horses eat a lot and need a lot of attention.  I have 2 on 108 acres.  I don't spend enough time with them as it is.  I have lots of free hay but I still find myself working 2 jobs to support their "stuff" and all the renos.  Oh, and the trailer I went and bought so's I could do more things with them, lol!!!

It's tempting though, isn't it?!   I almost bought another weanling this year and stopped myself at the very last possible moment.  I got another kitten instead