"You can teach him," Ellis answers, having moved along to the opposite leg. The soft, coaxing cluck of his tongue is all for the horse as Ellis coaxes one hoof up off the floor. "He'll come when he's called, if you spend the time on the lesson."

The hoof released, Ellis straightens. His hand returns to the horse's shoulder, stroking up and then down his neck.

"You don't need to decide on it now. I was only curious."