A question for the handicappers

[my miss storm cat]

... and by that I mean those of you who play a LOT and consider yourselves handicappers (as opposed to considering yourselves fans).

I was reading sdjcom's thread about whether or not Big Brown should be scratched and I'll admit I breifly wondered about the same thing but only because I'm not around horses, haven't ridden one since i was a kid, and don't really know how bad a quarter crack can be.

I don't agree, don't think it's a major concern but I'm being honest and at first wondered.

Anyway I was curious about some of you... how often, if ever, you're around / have been around horses.

Have you ever ridden and, if so, lately? A lot? Never? Allergic? Scared?

Just wondering about your experiences.