My entire life, i have been obsessed with horseback riding. I took lessons and the Kentucky Riding Stables on Mamaroneck Ave when I was younger, always signed up when my day camp took trips to the nearby stables in Greenwich and consistently signed up for a ride on the beach during a Caribbean vacation.

I even stretched this little obsession into adulthood, where I spent obscene amounts of money on riding gear – yes, i proudly own multiple pairs of breeches, leather half chaps, a velvet covered helmet and riding boots. They cost more than a mortgage payment – and lessons at Claremont Riding Academy on the Upper West Side (you may remember it from Sex In The City – I did. That’s why I originally went there, natch).

I gave up riding during my stint in Florida. It was too freaking hot to sit on a horse’s sweaty back. Ironic though, considering nearby Wellington is literally one of the top horsey towns in the country. Oh well, I was too busy being miserable anyway…

Back in NYC last September, I gave it a try again. Since Claremont shuttered in 2007, I decided to drive up to Riverdale for my entre back into the equestrian world.

I did it exactly once. Saturdays and Sundays were too full with boozy brunches and strolls around the West Village, absolutely wasting time doing nothing productive. Horseback riding would have to wait.

When I decided to move out West, I knew my hobby would be revived.

I went online and Googled, finding about 20 different options. Naturally – this is the West. I chose one that offered lessons but no cheesy tourist trail rides. I am not a great rider but I was looking for a real-deal hour of posting and trotting – not a leisurely ride through the canyons.

So I headed to Hunter’s Edge stables on a Saturday afternoon, excited and terrified. I pulled up and was suddenly completely freaked out – I hadn’t been on a horse since January, I wasn’t sure if my boots were right, the place was filled with 10 year olds who I was sure were judging me for being so old – but I proceeded to the sign in desk anyway.

After dropping $75 on a new helmet, I was ready to go. But unlike my experiences in The Big Apple, my equestrian friend, Diego, was not saddled up and ready to go. Instead, I had to brush him, clean his feet, and put on his bridle and saddle pads. It was a hardcore workout before I even entered the ring.

When I finally got in the saddle, it all started to come back. Especially the pain. Considering I had to stay in a “2-point” position for most the remaining hour, my legs and glutes were en fuego. I work out basically every day but this was a whole ‘nother level of pain. I dreaded having to walk for the next few days.

But it was amazing to ride again. There is nothing quite like it and even though being at the mercy of a 2,000 animal is terrifying, it was exhilarating to face the fear I always experience my first few times back.

Of course, I am once again hooked and have committed to weekly lessons. Maybe this time I’ll actually stick with it…