hi marta-i am new also, from california, near yosemite national park. i am so glad to find a spot i fit into-i love to ride, as you must also. i find several others with the same situations- long time away from horses, fear sometimes , aches that we didnt have a few or more years ago. i cant wait to get out again . what kind of horse do you have,and what kind od rideing do you do? jackie shepard