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My childhood passion was horses.

Mum and Dad didn't have a lot of spare cash when I was growing up so I'd go and help out at the stables in exchange for lessons. Because I wasn't actually paying for many of my lessons, I used to get all the shitty (excuse the pun) jobs like climbing up the horse manure pile and jumping up and down on it to flatten it. It was a huge pile too so I'd come home smelling terrible, much to my mums disgust .Come to think of it, I didn't get any boyfriends till I gave up on the horses. Gee I wonder why!

I continued the lessons until I was about 13, spending most of my spare time at the stables. Horse riding was like an escape from the world for me. I found the speed exhilarating, knowing when to let the horse go and when he needed reining in. (I'm laughing so much, sounds like some men I've know) Where was I? The connection you can make with a horse can be amazing.

I went out one beautiful, summer day on my favorite horse. Count was pretty highly strung but I'd always been able to handle him. I still don't really remember what spooked him but I could feel myself losing control of him. He headed for the road, I was terrified because there was nothing I could do but hold on. He raced across two lanes of traffic before coming to an abrupt holt in front of a red convertible, I can still see the drivers face in my mind. He shook his fist and swore several obscenities at me. I don't blame him as it must have been a shock to see a horse come out of nowhere.

When I finally calmed down, I said to myself, 'just give yourself a few weeks and then you can get back on the horse'. Two years later.... my auntie informed me she had booked a riding lesson for me...gulp!

The day of the lesson arrived, I was terrified until I saw my pony. He was more like a stubborn old mule really. Everything was going great, I felt confident so we decided to try a few small jumps. I thought, 'this will be great'. Stubborn old nag had other ideas. Pony pulled up short before jump, I went over jump landing on my head.

That was it for me with the horses but I've been thinking lately of giving it another try. Even if it's just the one time, so I can say I got back on the horse.

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