"You do have a gift for it," she admits, looking away with a smile. She focuses on the horse and carefully holds out her hand, not moving too near in case the animal doesn't want to be petted. She knows that some are frightened by the sheer size of a hoop skirt coming at them. But this sweet old mare stays put and Christine reaches out more to lightly draw her knuckles over the bridge of its nose.

"Yes, sweet girl," she coos.