HILARY DUFF - DUFF'S A HORSE-RIDING VETERAN

Teen singer and actress HILARY DUFF sees herself as a horse-riding veteran, because she and her sister HAYLIE have been riding since they were "babies".

The 16-year-old Texan's parents put her through her horse-riding paces at a very young age, and she now counts it among her favourite pastimes.

She says, "My family owns a ranch outside of Austin, and my parents used to put my older sister Haylie and me on the ponies when we were babies. We may have been just about able to sit up, but we knew we had to hold on tight.

"I think having a special animal in your life can help anyone learn to appreciate nature more. And a horse can become your best friend, just like a dog."