"...huh." Birds. That- that's a new one. He blinks up at the fella for a moment before going back to pett'n the poor mare's nose. "Aw, see, with a name like Embrium she's a kindly lady. But if you know much 'bout kindly ladies you know they also got their own mind. You don't just order 'em around. You ask all civil like."

He rubs the underside of Embrium's velvety muzzle, murmuring soft comforts. "Use the reigns gently. She's got a mouth up here, not a beak. Tug too hard and you might hurt her. Lemme see..."

Peek'n at the bit shows no real damage, just a little chaf'n. Noth'n a horse gnaw'n on it wouldn't do to themselves. "Ease up a li'l and scooch back in the saddle a bit. You want your weight to her middle."