'I WAS BACK IN THE SADDLE 12 WEEKS AFTER BIRTH'

Paralympian Natasha Baker is thrilled to be competing again after having son Joshua

- LUCY ROBINSON

Having been raised on a farm, Natasha Baker has spent her whole life surrounded by horses. Perhaps then, it was inevitable that her career would involve animals in some way.

With an impressive six Paralympic gold medals to her name, it's clear that 34-year-old Natasha, who's part of Paralympics GB's para-equestrian squad, is a natural when it comes to the sport.

"My parents wanted me to have lots of variation as a child, so I did swimming and I played musical instruments really badly, but my passion for horses was the most important thing for me," she tells OK!.

At 14 months old, Natasha, who hails from Uxbridge in Middlesex, contracted transverse myelitis, a virus which left her with permanent nerve damage, severe weakness in her legs, loss of balance and sensation. Years later, it was her physio who told Natasha's mum that she wanted to ride, regardless of her condition.

"She put us in contact with the Riding for the Disabled Association, so I started with them when I was eight and had regular riding sessions every week," she recalls.