Kari, How wonderful that you have discovered a connection with horses. They are sensitive intelligent animals and bond closely with humans. I have a horse that my sister rescued several years ago and he has helped me with my recovery from spine surgery (at Mayo) because riding with good posture builds core strength. Last year, I could barely lift the saddle enough to get it on his back, and this year, I am doing that with a lot less difficulty. Horses evolved on the plains as prey and herd animals, so they don't like to be away from other horses, and when spooked they will run first and ask questions later. You feel the tension build in them as their muscles bunch before they bolt. You have the choice to dismount and lead a horse past what it fears. Horses are very healing. There are lots of training clinics you can attend as a spectator to learn about training and communication with horses. Always ride balanced because you never know if they will trip or if something will scare them. Never wrap lead ropes around your hands because a horse can take off at any moment and you can loose fingers. Always end on a positive note when riding. Essentially everything you do with a horse is training and communication, and you don't want to reinforce any unsafe behavior. Your control of an animal that outweighs you and is much stronger than you comes from the mutual respect you have for each other. When I'm out on the trail, I ask my horse to stop (because he really just wants to go back home where he eats), and I praise him and hand him a carrot from his back. Now he tries to guess where I want him to stop and he looks back at me for a carrot. He remembers what I want and he even stops by my car when I get back because he remembers and it's easier for me to un-tack him there and not have to carry the saddle to the car. I mostly walk while riding. It's great exercise for my back. it really is physical therapy and therapy for the mind and spirit as well.