I'm not a nervous person, but I am always aware of the danger. The horse is many hundreds of kilograms heavier than me and vastly stronger. It'd be idiocy not to be cautious around them, but at the same time, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Also I know the horse needs to have the impression that you're confident and calm, even when you're not.

I feel much safer riding a horse that's playing up than standing beside it on the ground. The arena is definitely my safety blanket, and whenever I feel like I'm not in control my first impulse is to go back to the arena. I am starting to do much more work outside, which I think is good for me. I always carry a phone, regardless of where I'm riding, and I make sure somebody knows where I've gone, and I let them know when I get back.