@blm1007blm1007 Thank you. Barbara. I do believe that having a horse bonded to me will be safer because we are a team. I take care of him, reassure him when he worries, and he takes care of me. Riding just at a walk has physical benefits to build core strength and continuous movement which does help with lung movement as well. With my allergies, and some physical restrictions, I tend to trap phlegm which can proceed toward a lung infection. I do work on these issues with my physical therapist and do treat an infection right away if it goes to that. My doctors have given me treatment for that. It is important to move, exercise and keep lungs moving so phlegm is expelled. With allergies, there is often phlegm as a protection to clear allergy and irritants out of the lungs. I agree, horses are wonderful. I also have adopted cats and I am able to lower exposure to cat dander and I can coexist with them even while having an allergy to cats.