Over the years I’ve been fortunate to have a couple trainers give me chances to jog racehorses. Brian Magie was the first to offer me the opportunity and Jimmy Takter, too, has been gracious — or foolish — enough to let me sit behind some of his charges.

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I compare harnessing a horse to solving a Rubik’s Cube.

Late last winter, while at a social event, Takter came up to me and mentioned that it had been a while since he had seen me on the training track. I told him I was waiting for the warmer weather to arrive. He responded with a grin and said, “Oh, so you’re one of those guys.”

Now, I didn’t know who “those guys” were, but from the sound of Takter’s voice, I knew I didn’t want to be one of them. Yet, as the spring and summer came and went, I never made it back on the track.

Which explained, in part, why I was standing outside the Brian Magie Stable on Wednesday morning in sub-freezing temperatures. The morning air was “brisk” to put it euphemistically — 24 degrees with a breeze that made it feel about 16. But at least it was sunny.

The point is: I’m not going to one of “those guys.” John Campbell says the best way to become a successful driver is to start with a pitchfork, so that’s where I’m going to begin. And I’m starting at the worst time of year, just as a measure of my commitment (or stupidity).

I want to learn all aspects of Standardbred horsemanship and driving with the goal of eventually getting an amateur license. Or, as Ellen Harvey, HRC’s executive director, so aptly pointed out — I want to attempt to lend credibility to my dilettantish activities.

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Brian Magie appointed one of his assistants, Geovany, as my teacher.

Regardless, Brian Magie agreed to let me use his stable as my classroom and appointed one of his assistants, Geovany, as my teacher. Geovany has promised not only to teach me how to properly harness a horse, but to teach me in Spanish, as well. On Wednesday, however, we concentrated on harnessing.

I suppose it is best to confront the most daunting challenge right away. At least this is what I view to be the most daunting challenge. I’ve never been very good at puzzles, like Rubik’s Cube, and that’s what harnessing a horse looks likes to me. After Geovany demonstrated the proper way to fasten all the straps and hobbles and bridle — arrgh, the bridle — my opinion was unchanged.

But then it was my turn. Geovany guided me slowly through the process and, between fumbling fingers and perplexing looks toward my mentor in the hopes of additional input, I got most of the task completed on my own. I still don’t feel like I could do it on my own, but I have a better understanding and realize there’s a systematic approach to harnessing a horse. I just need to remember the system.

The stumbling block, however, was the bridle. Geovany had me harness three horses, and by the third I was feeling a little better, but I never got a bridle on successfully. (Although I only tried on one horse.) There was just too much going on — blinds, Murphy blinds, bits, straps seemingly everywhere, not to mention the constant shaking and bobbing of the horse’s head. I might as well have been trying to shove a grapefruit through a strainer. But I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it at some point.

Overall, though, I thought I did a pretty good job for my first day. Geovany was patient and good-natured, which are two great qualities for a teacher. After harnessing the horses, my next task was to pick hooves and brush horses. This was much easier to handle, except when a rambunctious 2-year-old decided to spin around in his stall and I discovered how quickly I could backpedal.

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There’s a systematic approach to harnessing a horse. I just need to remember the system.

I didn’t get the chance to drive any horses Wednesday. Watching Magie get suited up for heading out to the track was like watching the scene from “A Christmas Story” when the kid’s mother is dressing him to walk to school in the snow. He was wearing a T-shirt and several turtlenecks, then zipped up a water- and wind-proof driving suit. I asked him how much the precautions helped to stay warm. He laughed and responded, “Nothing helps.”

Magie told me the hardest part to protect was the hands, which can hurt quite a bit until they become numb. “Once they’re numb, you’re OK,” he said.

Numb? OK? Staying inside wasn’t so bad Wednesday. Maybe I still have some of “those guys” in me after all. Maybe I better see what the forecast is for next week.