but william stood stock still , mouth a little open , watching in fascination as the huge head came close to him , soft lips nibbling at the grain , and with the oddest sense of dislocation , jamie suddenly felt himself on the floor of a stable , hearing the deep slobbering crunch of a horse 's chewing just beside him , seeing the huge , glassy hooves , smelling hay and oats and the wonderful pungent scent of the horse 's warm hide .