Skymall007, you shouldn't feel shy at all! In fact most of them would probably love someone to go riding with! Believe it or not it is hard to find someone to ride with sometimes. I try to ride at least three or four times a week, and honestly I'm usually alone. My schedule rarely syncs up with my sister's these days and she was my roping partner when we rodeoed. Honestly, I'm usually asking my friends if they want to go riding with me. My parents keep four well trained trail horses for family and friends when they come over, and I always offer to let my friends come riding with me. I like to take one of my horses down to the lake on Saturdays with my dogs and ride all day, and it is always better to do with a friend. Most of the time I'm alone. Just me, my horse, and my dogs. I say go for it. I think you'll be surprised at how many of your friends with horses jump at the chance to go riding with you!

Badgemash, I maintain that $800 a month is outrageous, but if you are happy and enjoying yourself that is all that matters. I'm glad you've found a passion as an adult, and even happier for you that you're able to afford it. I could never drop $800 a month leasing a horse and paying for lessons. I know living costs are cheaper here in Texas (apparently A LOT cheaper), but I just couldn't pay that much. And it has nothing to do with me being a cheapskate. And yes, I was that girl that duct taped anything that broke because I refused to buy another one. The only things I've ever splurged on were my snakes and the house I'm buying. Other than that you have to pry every last cent out of my hand with the jaws of life. Still, have you thought about going in with some other people to purchase a few acres outside of town?

When I was at Tarleton I knew some people that went in together to buy five acres about ten minutes outside of town. The house on it was condemned, but the water hook up was fine. They used metal fence posts and built a fence around the acreage with a gate for about $4,000. I think there were nine of them, so all together it was only about $500 apiece. And they built their own run-in for less than $600. The acreage they got for about somewhere between 4-5 grand. They had somewhere free to board their horses and they were able to board some to make their money back. I'm not sure if that is feasible for you to do, I don't know how much land cost in Phoenix (apparently an arm and a leg!), but I thought I'd share.

Still, Badge, good for you for not letting other people tell you you are too old to take up the sport!