Hi Estelle,
I worked at an equestrian centre for a while. I'd been a design engineer, worked at a BT call centre, worked as a night porter at a posh hotel, and I was fed up with being made redundant and being messed around. I saw the horsey job at the jobcentre and rang after it. The horsey guy said can you use a shovel and carry a bucket? Yes I can, said I. You've got the job! It's the best job I'd ever had! The nearest I'd been to a horse before was watching John Wayne on the tellie, but I got on great with the horses and I had not fear at all. The money was poor and so was I, but my roses came a treat! I've had riding lessons but I would still consider myself to be a novice, albeit a very confident Novice. They're scary when they rear! I my experience there is no such thing a safe or bombproof horse. It only takes a leaf to rustle and they think it's a lion about to jump on their back!
Oh Barry! Barry Wright! Barry Wright the musician! No. Sorry. Never hear of him.
Take care Estelle,
Bob.