"They are much more like humans than most people like to admit. Perhaps that is why we have such a love affair with the breed." He certainly did, but after so many years with horses, it was difficult to tell if that love was nature or nurture. Probably a mixture of both, though he wouldn't have called his introduction to horses anything resembling nurturing.
Part of him wanted to tell her it was all right not to change the subject, that he didn't mind speaking of his childhood, but that part was a terrible liar. The horses brought up in him the joy that was his freedom from his bed, that was overcoming a weak constitution -- but the time before that freedom was terrible and suffocating. Embarrassing. Maybe they could talk about it some day.
"Much easier," he said lightly, reaching for the harness laid out for them. "And I prefer to think of you as strong-minded." A gentle tease, and then he looped his arm around her waist. "Let's go meet this horse."