At 10:53:23 on 11.01.10, wrote:
I'm a really confident rider and love the challenge of a really difficult horse, speed, big fences, the danger & unpredictability of riding horses. Safety IS important to me, but riding horses is a measured risk. How much fun is is to gallop to a big fence, gallop down a steep hill, jump huge ditches - such a thrill to feel the power & strength of a horse working hard underneath you! How much does the danger element and physical challenge of being with horses appeal to you?

At 02:34:02 on 13.01.10, kibby wrote:
Ilove the idea of getting onto that horse that people think i shouldn't, and as you said those big jump that riding up to it you hold your breath.. i love the danger!!

At 07:45:39 on 13.01.10, Flicka wrote:
The thrill of riding is definitely what attracted me to it in the first place. I always rode the difficult ponies and horses others couldn't ride when I was a kid and even though I'm not as confident now I'm still attracted to horses with a bit of spark! When I moved to London for work I replaced my horse fix with horse power and bought myself a motorbike which I rode and raced for quite a few years. Then I switched back to horses again as they are far more challenging!

At 00:39:05 on 15.01.10, BobbyJoe wrote:
The measured risk..... It's always a thrill to get on a horse, never know exactly what can/will happen. Yes, I think that I do enjoy that risk factor. But, I also manage the risk too. Starting colts is always "interesting", but again, manage the risk so the hospital bills stay reasonable. But those times when "stuff" happens and you get the thrill of your life! Lordy mighty NOTHING can beat that adrenalin rush! LOL Where I work, many ride motorbikes, we got into a conversation. It was stated by the bike riders, that they viewed my horse activities as far more dangerous and risky than anything they did on a bike. I am fairly confident that the Insurance adjusters would agree with that thought.

At 23:00:23 on 07.02.10, Tu Special wrote:
I always wanted to be around horses, but never got the chance until midlife. Actually, the thought of any danger never occured to me. Well, maybe for a second or two once up there six feet off the groud and level with some tree branches. But, before that, no. I never put the two together. I never got hurt either. Except saddle sore. A horse tried to buck me off once, I should have been in Rodeo, I would have won. I just grabbed the horn and dug my heals in and hung on. Although, I got some angry looks from the horses owner/trainer, I didn't get thrown, but I did get off after he settled down, which, I guess in the horses mind, made him win. I think that was the reason for the angry looks. LOL! But to BobbyJoe, my farrier who had been in horses, showing the big Draft Horses, even worked for Wells Fargo on their rigs, he gave up on horses because of the politics in shows you hear so much about. Except for his two he owned, and went from horses to motorbikes and was dead in a week. He bought a new Harley, hit a rock that threw him and slammed him into a tree, and killed him instantly. So, there is danger in even walking down the street. Go where the passion is in your heart. I was sorry that he went like that. The politics virtually killed him, or he let that happen. I wish he had stayed with the horses. You just have to do with you love. Maybe his love changed. It just leaves me to wonder. He was a wonderful horseman. Linda S

At 08:58:10 on 06.03.10, sophieandcallum wrote:
I know it isn't really a good thing, but I love the unpredictablility...one minute your walking along, next minute your flat out gallop. There is always a fear factor nowadays when going into cross country jumps or larger show jumps, but once I do them it is a great feeling! I'm never afraid to gallop and thats why I love it so much...no fear beforehand just good fun:)