Welcome Dan....
I encouage you to get back on...
Any thing you do seem to have risk now adays.... we use to bike without helmets... ride i nthe back of vehicles and swing to high the chains would loop.... And hang our faces off the siddes of merrigo rounds....
now there is way to many rules and standards.... I get to be safe .. but man kid need to be kids....
Yes connecting with a 1300lb prey animal is amazing.. Sometimes i ride with a string... no gimmicks just me and my horse on another level.....
I could never travel like you so keep it up and happy trails!!!!!