Hunter Princess wrote:
It would actually be incredibly easy for you to find a packer. As long as you aren't picky about age/size/breed/talent and just look for something well trained and safe. AFTER you have had lessons. Then you and said horse can progress further by you taking lessons on the horse.

This.  One thousand times.

Here's how the "I want to learn to ride" plan goes:

Person knows nothing =====> Horse needs to know everything

Person knows a little ======> Horse needs to know most everything

Person knows some ======> Horse needs to know a lot

Person knows a lot =======> Horse can know some

Person knows most stuff ===> Horse can know nothing

Person knows everything =====> has never happened

If you're told about vampires, it's a good thing to be told about stakes at the same time.- Terry Pratchett