Doc stays put and still, across the way, arms crossed over his chest and eyes focused on the scene in front of him. When Corella does protest, sudden and loud, he manages somehow not to start on instinct. Him jumping would only make things worse.

Once she and the mare are out and on their way to the paddock, he moves to take Nova from his stall, and ties the lead around the nearest railing just to keep him in one place.

He's careful in his check of the animal, making certain that he looks completely healthy and ready to be ridden, including his shoes. If Katherine is going to be riding him (with plenty of hesitation on her part as it is) he doesn't want Nova to have anything wrong with him that might cause him injury (or her, for that matter) or distress.

"You're gonna be a good boy, ain't ya," he chatters with the gelding. "You're always a good boy, but today you're on your best behavior, you understand me?"

Nova is quite used to his hooves being picked up off the ground, and cooperates with the inspection. When she returns, she'll find the gelding gnawing happily on the carrot that Doc happens to be spoiling him with as a reward for not kicking him.