I am not a horsy person. I do not own a horse and don't know anyone who owns a horse. Horses have played no part in my life at all ... until now.

One day I thought 'I wonder if horses like being ridden?'. Do they enjoy it or is it another abuse of the animal kingdom by human beings? This may seem like a odd thing to ask yourself but for me this is normal. A committed Vegan and animal sanctuary owner, I am always on the look-out for animal abuse and am very quick to point it out ("on my soap box" as my wife puts it). Vegan means no meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, fur, bone, leather, or any thing else that derives from a living creature (one hell of a drag at dinner parties).

As I know nothing about horses and their lives I thought the only way to answer my question would be to ask a horse. To ask a horse and to understand his reply you need to learn his language, and to do this you need to get quite close.

Riding Lessons I thought. I telephoned Redwings Horse and Donkey Sanctuary and asked them how to tell a good riding school from a bad one. They suggested that I look for British Horse Society (BHS) or Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) approved schools. I looked in the Yellow Pages and selected a suitable school.

As a very suspicious person when it comes to establishments that use animals for a living, I selected a hot Wednesday afternoon and visited the school unannounced thinking that this would be the time when no-one would want to be mucking out horses or tidying up and no dedicated swarm of horse loving young girls would be on hand to do these unpopular tasks.

As I drove to the school my mind was going through its usual cross-examination.

This is something that happens a lot to Vegans. Should I be attempting to ride a horse? Am I just adding to the horses burden? A thought suddenly struck me...LEATHER. If I use a leather saddle am I indirectly supporting a slaughter-house industry? Life is so complicated.

I approached the entrance to the school thinking 'this is the most hypocritical thing I have ever considered doing.

A lot of Vegans are constantly faced with dilemmas such as this. However, I would not know unless I saw for myself whether horse orientated activities are an abuse of the animal or a means to offer horses a secure and contented life. I entered the yard. The first thing that struck me was how clean and uncluttered it was. I parked and walked over to the stables. A building next to the stables had a sign above the door saying 'Reception', I went in, it was the tack room! Very tidy and well organised, this was a good sign, the one above the door however was not. I went back out and walked over to a Tack Shop in the middle of the yard. This was the administrative centre of the school. (A very good marketing move I thought). I was given a leaflet telling me the costs of lessons and was advised to start with half hour ones. I was asked whether I would like a look round but I had just been paged by my office (I didn't tell you, I also work for a rather troubled old bank in London, even in banking a Vegan may find himself wondering if its right to work for an organisation that invests in McDonalds .. but that's a different story). I said I'd come back for the tour.

I returned on the Friday evening, still the same tidy yard but this time with a few more people around, Oh, and the odd horse.

I was shown round the stables and then led into a large building with a couple of horses 'parked' on one side. I am not sure what this building was, some kind of horse canteen I think. My guide pointed out the horse I was most likely to ride given my weight (As a Vegan I take pride in being slightly heavy for my height). The horse I was being pointed to was brown, big and not in the slightest bit interested in us, there was a far more interesting wall in front of her that had her entire attention. Not wishing to disturb her we moved on and went over to the fenced area where lessons take place. There were two horses with riders going round in circles with an instructor in the middle. While we watched the lesson my guide told me about the horses they had and the work they do. Throughout the conversation there were constant references to the welfare and health of the horses. This was exactly what I wanted to hear. "What do we do when it rains?" I asked. "You ride" came the quick reply.

I booked myself on a lesson at 12:30 that coming Sunday.

Sunday arrived. I had a whole Saturday to worry about whether this was a good idea or not and I was still planning to try it out. I drove to the school ( Vegans can drive cars, they just don't have leather trims and key fobs). I paid my fee for one lesson and selected a protective hat. I was told which horse I was to ride and to go and wait by the stables.

While I waited I was joined by a heavily pregnant cat. No matter where I go I seem to attract cats.

The yard was now teaming with the ever devoted young girls and horses. I noticed that there were no other men there except for the rather obvious 'Daddies' along side mounted toddlers. I looked around for a horse that didn't have a rider but they all seemed to be spoken for. I approached one of the girls who seemed to be in charge. "Excuse me, but where can I find 'Bronwen'?" I asked. (I have changed the name to protect the innocent...me). The girl pointed to a stable. Most of the stables were occupied. Eager looking horses stuck their heads out watching with interest the activity in the yard. But the stable I was directed to was different. A bar blocked the top of the stable door. In the back of the stable stood a large brown horse watching a wall with great interest. I peered over the stable door. "Watch that one.. She bites" remarked a passing girl. "I'm supposed to ride her next week.." said another, "..but I'm dreading it".

One of the girls then opened the stable door, went in and led the horse out. So this was "Bronwen". For the first time I was standing face to face with a horse. She looked fit and healthy (Not that I would know, but she had a leg at each corner). I looked her in the eye trying to convey confidence. She was looking at something just behind me (probably a wall). "Do you want to use the block?" said the girl. I had been wondering how you get up there. I had seen Cowboys get on horses, they seem to just step up. I assume American horses must be smaller. I climbed up onto the block. The girl led Bronwen round and stopped along side. "Get on" she said as if this was easy. I got on and it was.

She showed be how to sit and how to hold the reigns and adjusted the stirrups. Then she went off to sort out another rider.

Thus I was left, marooned, on Bronwen's back. My Vegan conscience came back with a vengeance. Here I was sitting on a horse that had to be broken to accept it. Here I was holding leather (cow skin) reins, sitting on a leather (cow skin) saddle. Is this any place for a Vegan?

Before I could think any further, Bronwen moved. It was only two steps but it concentrated my mind like nothing else can. I think I may have said "Ugh" or something like that. I'm sure hearing this gave Bronwen a great deal of satisfaction. One of the girls (who I discovered later was actually a Lady Instructor and not a girl at all) told me to ride over to the gate and seeing that I obviously had no idea how to achieve this, she led the horse round. The other horses lined up behind me. When we were ready I was asked to ride over to the fenced area where the lessons are held. "How do you make her go?" I asked. "Kick backwards with your legs" she replied. I did this and we lurched forward. "Steer by using the reins, pulling her head in the direction you want to go" she said (finding my level exactly). "How do I stop?" I called back over my shoulder. "Pull back on the reins" came the reply. So there I was riding my first horse and about to have my first mishap. When riding through a gate always allow room between the gatepost and the horse for your leg. I suspect the horse does this on purpose. She knows a beginner. I was saved by the instructor who pulled the horse over in the nick of time. "Thanks Bronwen" I said.

One way conversations with animals is something I do a lot. Explaining to a cat why he really shouldn't spray in the house or apologising to frightened frogs for our cats behaviour. (OK so I'm mad). I continued to talk to Bronwen throughout the lesson. This I thought might help us get on.

Anyway the rest of the lesson was without incident. I was told how to dismount from the horse. As I hit the ground I was reminded just how high the horse was and how hard the ground is. Walking was a little tricky. I tried to walk as normally as possible back to my car. However, I was looking forward to the next lesson the following week.

On my next lesson I was handed a whip. Now this presents another of these dilemmas. Living as I do with a vast number of animals I know the importance for all concerned that a little discipline is maintained. The dogs respond to a stern word or look. For the cats, a water pistol. (There is a common belief that cats are loners and independent, this is not the case, they have a strong hierarchy structure and he who holds the water pistol is Top Cat). The hedgehogs, however, are well behaved and require no discipline at all. Meanwhile, back to the whip. This is very difficult for me. I carry it when asked to and use it when I am told it is necessary. But I don't like it but I am yet to make up my mind. On my third lesson I carried it the whole time and didn't use it once. I am also bothered by the horses 'Bit'. I don't think I would like it in my mouth. I think it is tolerated by the horse as just part of life. I really don't know yet. I still have a lot to learn about horses.

My wife is concerned because she thinks the next animal in our sanctuary will be a horse. (She's wrong though, I know of some fox cubs who need a temporary home). One of my difficulties is that I refuse to buy anything made from dead animals (such as leather and silk). I bought a Jockey Skull hat and had the bemused assistant swap the leather chin cup for a plastic one. People who make leather goods often state "Genuine Leather" as a big selling point. This is quite handy for avoiding it also. The Jodhpur boots I am buying are made from synthetic leather and I have seen that non leather saddles are available should I ever require one.

As I have only just started getting to know horses I am not yet in a position to tell whether they enjoy being ridden. What I can tell however is that the lucky horses in the school are very well loved and cared for by everyone there. But my Vegan conscience is always nagging away and asking why a little of the love, kindness and compassion could not be spared for cows.