Marsha Giles loves nothing more than looking after her chestnut horse, Bert.
But at 17st 1lb and a size 24, the 40-year-old stopped riding her beloved steed because she feared she was too heavy for him to carry.
Feeling envious of friends competing in show jumping competitions, the mum-of-two embarked on a weight loss mission.
And after losing seven stone and dropping six dress sizes, the animal lover has recently achieved her dream of competing in dressage.
Giles believes poor diet was to blame for her weight problems in the past.
"I loved bread, it was my downfall. I would think nothing of gorging on pasties, cakes and treats every single day. We would eat around three takeaways a week out of convenience more than anything else, looking back I must have spent a fortune," she said, according to the MailOnline.
At her heaviest, Giles used to feel exhausted after playing with her two children and began to struggle with Bert's basic care.
"I struggled to get on to him and have the energy to go out with him properly on long journeys through the countryside, I was bursting out of my size 24 jodhpurs," she said.
Marsha Giles riding three years ago
Determined to change her lifestyle, Giles created a strict diet plan for herself.
She swapped takeaways for healthier alternatives such as home made burgers and has gone from a size 26 and 17st 1lb, to a size 10-12, weighing 10 stone.
Marsha Giles on a recent ride with Bert
Giles is now a regular attendee at her local gym and has even signed up to complete the next Great North Run.
She recently took part in her first dressage competition with Bert and has said losing weight is the "best thing [she's] ever done".
She added: "Bert is also a lot happier with his work I am now making him do. He loves being put through his paces now he's thriving and is fitter then he has been for a long time."
Foods For Weight Loss
Melon(01 of10)
Open Image ModalIf your goal is to keep losing weight, melon, which is rich in minerals like beta-carotene, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, copper and zinc is the ideal fruit. Melon boasts laxative properties that help along digestion and avoid fat storage which in turn prevents weight gain. Rich in fibers, it is also considered a belly-slimming fruit. Last but not least, melon has a very low calorie count (38 calories/100g or 3.5 oz). (credit:srqpix/Flickr)
Tea(02 of10)
Open Image ModalFirst and foremost, tea has virtually no calories (1 calories/100 g or 3.5 fl oz) and has a very low satiety level. In addition, the polyphenols found in tea aids in burning off fat while its diuretic properties help eliminate toxins. (credit:Dano/Flickr)
Lemon(03 of10)
Open Image ModalA strong antioxidant, lemon is an excellent health ally. The fruit activates the secretion of bile in your body's organism to better digest foods thanks to its high vitamin C levels. Finally, the citric acid found in lemons work to help the stomach burn fat and proteins. Lemon has a calorie count of 33 calories/100g or 3.5 oz. (credit:Photos By Clark/Flickr)
Pineapple(04 of10)
Open Image ModalPineapple is known as one of the best foods for weight loss. It naturally contains bromelain which is an excellent fat-burning enzyme that favors the elimination of fats by breaking down their cell-tissue. The fruit has a calorie count of 33 calories/100 g or 3.5 oz. (credit:smin/Flickr)
Black Radish(05 of10)
Open Image ModalBlack radish is a powerful appetite suppressant due to its high levels of vegetable protein and iodine. The vegetable triggers the functioning of the thyroid gland and is considered an excellent "detox" food. Very low in calories, black radish counts 17.8 calories/100g or 3.5 oz. (credit:clara inés schuhmacher/Flickr)
Fennel(06 of10)
Open Image ModalFennel contains no less than a dozen antioxidant elements, primarily flavonoids that work to eradicate free radicals. The vegetable is also rich in potassium and calcium with only 20 calories/100g or 3.5 oz. It's the ideal food to avoid weight gain while you boost your mineral intake. (credit:Nick Saltmarsh/Flickr)
Carrot(07 of10)
Open Image ModalThis orange vegetable contains a high concentration of carotenoids (vitamin A), beta and alpha carotene. A 100g (3.5 oz portion) covers more than half of the daily requirements for an adult. It also contains both vitamins B and K and provides a worthy quantity of potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. Carrots have a calorie count of 36 calories/100g or 3.5 oz. (credit:swong95765/Flickr)
Cherry Tomato(08 of10)
Open Image ModalRaspberry(09 of10)
Open Image ModalThanks to its high-fibre content, raspberries help digestion. The sweet fruit is also rich in vitamin C, magnesium and calcium. Raspberries number 45 calories/100g or 3.5 oz. (credit:mindwhisperings/Flickr)
Cucumber(10 of10)
Open Image ModalComposed of 97 per cent water, the cucumber is the number-one diuretic food of this list. It encourages and even accelerates weight loss. Rich in vitamin K, it has one of the lowest calorie counts with 12 calories/100g or 3.5 oz. (credit:Stacy Spensley/Flickr)