Oh, that brings back the memories. It was always one of my life's dreams to own a horse. It's close to flying, without actually doing so. The bike is my close ownership second.

We lived in the city, and no hope of us ever having the land, or the $ to own. Somehow my mother came up with the $ for lessons. I rode English style in my lessons, and jumped. I did ride western too a bit. Nice broken ribs too from riding. I didn't care. Back on I got.

Sitting the horse properly takes an incredible amount of skill. More so than people realize. Everything should look completely effortless, and motionless from the rider's waist up. Horse and mount are one. It's all in the pelvis and balance. You might find that your horseback riding makes you an even better cyclists.

Just as people would answer initially that you steer your bike with the handle bars, is the same with bridle to horse. You use your entire body to direct your bike and the horse. Even as a living creature, you will learn how to pick up on it's cues on how she will perform, or predict the response. Bike alike.

Enjoy your lessons. Thx for sharing those pics (and the happy trip down memory lane).