I find this to be a very wonderful story. I am a fan of Courbet (among other artists), and your narrative weaves a visual tapestry. My neighbor’s had horses where I grew up and yes, I’ve been bucked-off, but, later on in life I wound up caring for some. Once, I calmed down a colt, that had gotten tangled-up in some barbed-wire, while its owner treated the wounds on its legs, but, I’m no “horse-whisperer”. Fact is, I think the critters are dumber than cows.