I acquired Magic - a dark bay, thoroughbred cross 16.1hh mare - through the family, having previously been a riding school institutionalised rider and pretty frit of horses' way of free-thinking most of the time.

She wormed her way into my heart and led me painlessly through the stages of riding freedom and trust until I would have ridden her anywhere and trusted her to look after me.

This book details, through an email exchange and accompanying photographs, our journey through worried first encounters to the intrepid pair of loving friends we became - out having adventures I wouldn't have dreamed of.

This also includes how we lost her.