Well i'm impressed BarryG is you can read the tea leaves and see what's ahead for me.

You too had to start somewhere.

I have owned a horse before having been around horses previously for many years and brought a very green soul on so that he came out with ribbons at every showing and x country event we went to, having learn't from books and talking to people

Unfortunately you are the sort of person I forgot inhabit shows and equestrian centres, being negative and looking down on others.

However to everyone else who's taken time to reply, a big thank you.

I have recently moved house and have met a lovely lady who has two horses and has welcomed my interest in getting back into horses and invited me to ride and help her so I can 'refresh' my memory of the pleaures and pain of horses in readiness for next year when i'm fortunate enough to be able to retire in my late 40's.