As I got closer to the fence, I held my shirt over my nose to block the smell. One stallion waded through the muck and whinnied angrily at me. He bared his teeth, which were pointed like a bear's. I tried to talk to him in my mind. I can do that with most horses. I told him. The horse said. I protested. Usually this gets me VIP treatment in the equestrian world, not this time. The horse agreed enthusiastically. The other horses chimed in as they waded through the field.