Lisa,
I have had many phobias. I was deathly scared of birds, large snakes, small garden snakes, horses, going into basements alone and heights. Over time, I overcame some of them. I went to Aruba, the Caymen Islands and the Bahamas. I finally allowed myself to have a pic taken with a big bird on my shoulder. Than, I went to Canada to Bird World and actually walked around w/ birds flying around me and all of a sudden, I noticed I was not fearful.

One day, I went to a festival and a man was walking around w/ a boa snake and I ran immediately. I disassociated w/o realizing and found myself petting the snake. I have no memory of walking towards it.
As a child, I was always chased home from school by a boy with a garden snake and am still quite fearful of them even worms.

When, I went through my 2nd divorce, i went to Canada and hired a open bottom helicoptor and flew around the falls. I am still very scared of heights but I did overcome the initial fear.

As far as horses, never ever get near one again. In the past on many occasions being close to a horse they have tried to bite me and kick me.

My point is one day, I made out a list of all my phobias and could not believe how afraid of living life I really led. I made a determination to overcome some so I would not be afraid of the world in general.
sunnydaze