Folks, you’ve been following me for a while now. I think it’s time I let you in on one of my deepest, darkest secrets: I am addicted to food. Yes, it’s true. If it weren’t for my human minions constantly rationing my meals, I would be in the running for the world’s fattest feline. I have already been diagnosed with diabetes (twice), and the humans only feed me 2 tiny bowls of prescription cat food a day. I constantly beg and try other methods to get their attention: sleeping in or on the docs’ trucks, laying on the computer keyboards, sitting in the chairs, climbing on the X-ray and ultrasound equipment, and often standing right in their path so they can’t ignore me. But to no avail. They are absolutely starving me here!
In my valued opinion, addiction to food is one of the most difficult addictions to fight, because you have to put some of the substance you are addicted to into your body every day in order to survive. I often hear our clients compare their addiction to horses to other addictions such as alcohol, hard drugs, caffeine, chocolate, etc. But there’s no way your addiction to horses can be as rough as my addiction to food, right?
Let me ask you a few questions to get an idea of how severe your substance –in this case horse– addiction is…
1) Does time with your horse ever interfere with your daily activities? i.e. Spending time with family, attending social events, eating a healthy diet, practicing average hygiene (such as washing the horse manure off of your jeans before going into public), or getting enough sleep. Yes? Hmmm OK, next question…
2) Have you ever lied to cover up your addiction? For example, “Yes honey, I’ll be back from the barn in 2 hours.” *5 hours later you are oiling your tack and braiding your horse’s mane*. Yes? OK this may be more serious than I thought…
3) What would you be willing to do to get back to your last high: that amazing ride, that winning round, that flawless trip, that moment of perfect harmony that you and your horse shared? Wow, just about anything? OK, you really may have a problem!
Don’t worry, Springhill Equine can help! No, not with your addiction…you might need a professional for that. But our docs can help you get back to that high. Whatever is standing in your way: lameness, disease, improper nutrition, or conditioning- let the docs help you get back to that moment of glory with your horse.
Well, after my questionnaire I have a newfound respect for people who claim they are addicted to horses. It might even compare to my addiction to food! I truly hope you find the help you need.
-Tony
