GreyGoose, the bit of obsessing you do over worrying about petting the horse or talking to the owner don't sound all that abnormal. Your 42 years old. (I'm 62 so don't be offended, young man.) When you listen to the news for 40 or so years, it's enough to make you think twice about how many things could go wrong. I was also wondering if you might have some sociophobia ( want zero confrontations, friendly or otherwise).

You sound a lot more normal than you might think you are.