"He's just being lazy," he shook his head. "I was taught to check their hooves and legs before riding, to make sure there's nothing off. Last thing I want is for you to hurt yourself," he patted the large flank, the horse standing just taller than his six feet af the shoulder.

Not to mention this wasn't his personal horse, so the very last thing he wanted was to return an injured horse. Some day soon he would get his own, but for now he rode on the generosity of others.

"He looks fine. But I'm on to your belly bloating trick when I do the girth," he warned the dapple, who merely snorted and might very well have rolled his eyes.