"Oh, I'm sure I could whip you into shape," she assures him with a lopsided grin. But her tone softens into something less teasing as she adds, "And you wouldn't be the worst. I've had a lot of students." The teasing tone returns as she concludes, "And if you are rubbish, at least you'll have a teacher who can apologize to the horse on your behalf."

Truthfully, though, she imagines he'll pick it up easily enough. He's too careful -- and graceful -- to muck it up too badly. And while she doesn't anticipate a complete disaster, there's something to be said for a pupil who wouldn't suffer any lasting damage from being thrown, or even kicked. It ought to be less nerve-wracking when there isn't really much a horse could do to you, even if it was trying.