For about seven years of my life I went horse riding every weekend. I learnt to ride at a stables where I started going from about the age of six and by the time of the above photo (I was about 10) I had progressed to hiring out horses and going for hacks on my own. I loved the horse I am riding, her name was Carrie and she was a lovely gentle shire horse cross with lots of pep on a long canter. But things change and I went off to university etc etc - you can guess the rest. But here I am in the next photo - in my forties and back in the saddle! I am riding a horse called Flame, who was as steady as a rock and good for a returner like me. I am wearing my dog walking gear because my friend had surprised me with a ride on my birthday - I thought we were just going on a long dog walk so am dressed accordingly. I have been riding as often as I can since. The only problem is....I wish I could take my dogs with me - I would love to gallop along our favourite beach with Mac and Kizzy running at my feet. And as usual I have the same fantasies when I am riding as I did when I was ten - that I was crashing through the forest with my bow at my back and a quiver full of arrows and my big running dogs beside me. I should really have been born a medieval prince...still, it just goes to show that if you loved something once, its possible you will love it again, just like I do horse riding...
Mac is out of his final dressing and has been building up his time off the lead gently in order to give his poor leg a decent chance of healing. If you think the bond between a person and their dog is special, have a look at this photo of my son and Mac...two lovely peas in a pod.
