"It does look threatening.

How soon will you want to start ?" This without looking toward Ford at all.
"Right away, if that suits you." Ford was still watchful, as if he had not quite given up hope of reading her meaning.
She told him she would be ready by the time he had saddled, and she appeared in the stable door while he was cinching the saddle on the horse he meant to ride.
"I hope you haven't given me Dude," she said unemotionally.

"He's supposed to be gentle--but he bucked me off that day I sprained my ankle, and all the excuse he had was that a rabbit jumped out from a bush almost under his nose.

I've lost faith in him since.

Oh--it's Hooligan, is it?
I'm glad of that; Hooligan's a dear--and he has the easiest gallop of any horse on the ranch.