Jason Maguire admits he has a "great opportunity" as racing manager for owners Paul and Clare Rooney as he continues to weigh up his prospects of returning to the saddle.
Maguire has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a back problem last April, with his efforts to get back in competitive action hindered by the occasional pain he suffers when riding out.
While Maguire is actively pursuing a return to the saddle, he expects to make a final decision on his future within the next six months.
The Grand National-winning rider already acts as racing manager for the Rooneys and he believes that could be a good role for him should he be forced to hang up his saddle.
"I've got to make a decision one way or another in the next couple of months and I will be speaking to my specialist in the next six weeks," said Maguire.
"I am back riding out and was riding out at Kim Bailey's this morning. It has been stop-start and the problem is I get pain down my legs and it gives me shocks in my right foot which goes dead and numb. It's all to do with the discs in my back.
"If the problem doesn't occur, I will be back riding somewhere, but if it does continue I will have to make a decision soon as I can't keep going stop-start.
"It's very hard to actively think about not riding as I've done it all my life and it's all I know, but at the same time I've got a great opportunity with Mr and Mrs Rooney to be their racing manager, which is something I enjoy.
"If I don't go back riding, it's great that I have that opportunity as I get a real buzz from watching the horses running. I am in a lucky position as a lot of lads don't know what to do next when they come out of racing, so on that side of it, it's a good opportunity.
"They have got a great team of horses with lots of trainers up and down the country and hopefully it is something that is working going forward."