"I think they're used to it," Beth answers, smothering a grin. His concern is sweet, though, and the way he asks seems genuine. Genuine is nice--uncomplicated--provided it can be trusted. And she wants to. "I'll get her halter."

She talks through it when she comes back with some leather in her hands. A halter, a lead, how to slip the halter on and bring the horse out.

"We want to stand on her left." As she says it, she unlatches the door to the stall. "She's used to people standing on her left--that's how they're trained."