How have I missed this thread for so long? I have a nearly 7yo Morgan mare. I also have a nearly 3yo miniature burro. My mom tried to squelch the horse lover in me and wouldn't pay for riding lessons, but every time I have $5, I would go to the El Toro Marine Base and ride for an hour on one of their rental horses. I finally got a free lease on a beautiful King Ranch QH mare when I was in my late teens. When I turned 18, I walked down the road and bought my first horse . I bought a filly in college, paid for colic surgery, moved her to FL where she promptly died and broke my heart. I couldn't even look at horses for nearly 2 years. I didn't own a horse for seven years. I have had my mare for 2.5 years now and while we took a while to get used to each other, there is something about those big brown horse eyes that just melts me. I do love my bikes, and they won't share my secrets with anyone either, but I just am not that inclined to tell my bike my secrets or cry into my handlebars like a horse's mane. Also, my bike doesn't nicker at me when I go to the bike rack after work. On the other hand, my bike rarely bucks, and never spooks .