I am not one to exaggerate, but when my friend invited me to go horseback riding with her, I nearly died.

I'm not generally a fan of farm animals unless they're on a plate and accompanied by potatoes.

The thought of trusting my safety to a thousand-pound herbivore didn't strike me as particularly fetching.

I read about horses when I was a little girl dreaming of being a Disney princess and when I was a bitter, cynical teenager. I read more when I became a reasonably optimistic adult who only got bitter and cynical around tax season.

I wanted to meet a horse like Black Beauty, Flicka, or Misty of Chincoteague.

So I agreed to ride, partly for that reason, and partly because I knew Eileen would never forgive me nor my descendants for the next six generations if I didn't.

A book wouldn't help me get onto........

© El Dorado News Times