Horses

zuzuspetals, a Moorish sultan from the 15th century may not necessarily know much about horses---he'd have a whole group of people to take care of them for him. OTOH, he may know a whole lot about because an Arab (the breed), especially a stallion, is a sign of wealth and prestige, and knowing how to ride and care for your mount is also a sign of prestige (and necessary in war).

He could mistake a stallion for a gelding, or the reverse. He could mistake a mare for a gelding, or the reverse. He could step in horse crap and be flustered---real horse people usually don't step in horse crap and if you do, what's the big deal? (I know it's crap, but it's not that bad. It ain't like cow crap, which is vile.)

He could also awkwardly pat the horse or the horse could give nose him. Horses are very strong and they can lift you up and shift you out of the way with their noses. They can also lift you by the shoulder---and break your am in the process.

BTW, you mount on the left because the buckle of the strap that goes around the horses belly may scrape the horse, causing the horse to bolt. A well-trained horse won't, though. And a sultan would have people holding the horse and giving him a leg up if he had to ride. Unless he's a dashing fellow---then he'd vault into the saddle.

Hope this helps.