Well, I rode a little bit as a kid (like 10 or 11 years old), and I don't recall having any problems with it. But apparently 2 decades later, I have a bit of the fear.

Kids don't have the fear, generally. Plus, you're taller, so higher up. And, bones instead of cartilege.

ION, I've finally dipped into the weird wacky world of eBay, and have determined that people are insane. There are baby Halloween costumes going for over $120.00.

Now see, this is why you gotta love the A's:

Seattle -- Rich Harden had one thing in mind during his two blazing innings of relief on Saturday: Get Joe Blanton the win.

Blanton has had such minimal run support this season, it probably cost him a shot at Rookie of the Year honors. Voters should take note, however: With the A's 4-3 victory over the Mariners, Blanton earned his 12th victory of the season and he finished with more than 200 innings and an ERA of 3.53 -- which not only is best among all rookie starters, but is 10th best in the league overall. The 12 wins match the Oakland record for a rookie set by Chris Codiroli in 1983.

But then -- there's really nothing to hold onto up there, really.

That's what legs are for! Yours, that is.

I've never been injured (beyond my pride) in a fall, but the most serious tumble I took involved a jump that was refused mid-leap (broke the standards, he did). It was so unexpected that I landed on my feet, facing the horse, reins still in hand gaping at him as he stood placidly among the wreckage.

Seriously, though, I think lessons would rock for you. Great exercise + fear defeating! What's not to love?

a jump that was refused mid-leap

Wow. That's not usual.

I've only ever fallen off a pony, so that was embarrassing. Of course, I haven't ridden really problem horses either, and have only done small jumps.

Seriously, though, I think lessons would rock for you. Great exercise + fear defeating! What's not to love?

Plus meeting new people! And horses!

Wow. That's not usual.

It certainly startled the hell out of me. We were a *little* close on take off, but the time to plant your feet is *before* you've started leaving the ground. It's like his thought process was, "I can make it, I can... SHIT! ABORT! ABORT!"

Oh, that's hysterical. My dog will gallop to the end of the hallway and turn around mid-air just before she hits the wall, but I'm not generally riding her at the time.

Plei, do you know anything about the Parelli method of training? I watched my cousin go through some of it last night with her ornery horse, and it was fascinating to watch.

Plei, do you know anything about the Parelli method of training? I watched my cousin go through some of it last night with her ornery horse, and it was fascinating to watch.

Nope. I stopped keeping up with things like that over a decade ago, I fear.

Weekend estimates has Flightplan at 15, Serenity at 10