Theodore couldn't keep a chuckle from rising, and he pushed himself back from the fence a bit, as if in response to the breath of laughter that spilled out of him. "That's part of it, yes," he replied good-naturedly, looking over the animal in their area.
"It's not especially complicated. Mostly just remembering which parts can hurt you before you mount, as well as when you ride. We'll worry about the before part now." He had no delusional aspirations of getting Astoria on a horse today, or even the next time. No, today would be devoted to having her near the animals, possibly even touching them, and basic grooming procedures. That had helped him get over his fear as a child, when horses seemed inordinately large and terrifying.
"It's important to remember that horses cannot see very much directly in front of them. You should try and approach them towards the shoulder." He gestured to the grazing mare. "Try and think of her like a friend. You wouldn't approach me and touch my mouth, so you should not do this with a horse you're not closely acquainted with. A touch to the shoulder is better to start. They can see you and it's a safe position to be in. Never approach a horse you're not familiar with from behind."