Fable Farm

“How do YOU do this?” is not an uncommon question. It has a cousin, “what is the RIGHT way?” that is just as frequently asked.

Recently, someone handed me their horse’s lead rope and asked where I want the horse when I’m leading. They described how everyone seems to want something different and how one person had told them one way but another trainer had said something totally different. This person wanted to know how I did it.

I paused, which is something I find myself doing a lot. A few years ago I would have jumped right in with my perceived “correct” answer. The question wouldn’t have had any time to hang in the air because I would be too busy demonstrating why I did what I did and why it was somehow an improvement or better-informed. It’s been a long time since I did that. In this instance, I did take the rope, but the first thing I said was “well, it’s not going to be a satisfying answer,” followed by my two (relatively new) favorite words: “it depends.”

A lot of the things I’ve historically been pretty convinced about have changed the more horses I’ve worked with. “Right” finds its way far less often into my vocabulary, and “it depends” pops up a lot more. The more I experience, the more nuance I recognize and the harder it becomes to feel absolute about any of it.

When it comes to leading a horse, I don’t think one can ever get too good at it, and I don’t think it’s a skill that is practiced intentionally enough. Every time I go to lead my horse I am teaching him something about how to track me (or not), how to turn loose his feet to me (or not) and how to follow the subtle communication of the halter and the rope (...or not). My expectations for a horse that someone says “leads” are high. It’s not just about getting from Point A to Point B, it’s HOW we get there.

Does my horse notice when I stop and stop with me? Does my horse slow when I slow and speed up when I speed up without me having to beg him?

Can my horse lead a little bit ahead of me without pulling me forward? Can he lead a little bit behind me without dragging? Can he stay right at my shoulder if I ask? Can he alternate between any of these places if the situation calls for it?

Can I send my horse through a tight space? Can I send him around something? Over something?

Can I ask my horse to look in a direction and have him wait for me to tell him to go? Can I ask him to look and then go with some energy? Can I change my mind partway through and say “sorry, I need you here instead” and have my horse kindly oblige?

Does my horse wait on me when I ask him to wait? Does he stay focused on me without getting sucked into what is happening around us?

Can I lead him with another horse and have him know he does not need to worry about that horse?

Can I ask my horse to shape his body how I need it, when I need it, without hesitation or brace on his part?

Do I have equal access to all four feet when I need them?

None of those questions is about one right place. They’re about whether the horse can be wherever I need him next.

If your horse stayed on the same property for his entire life, and you only ever had to move between specific, fixed points, and you never had to deviate in any way from those points…then I suppose you could lead a horse one way all the time and it would work out just fine.

I just don’t know anyone who lives that reality, and so “it depends” feels a bit more realistic.

What a great weekend at Mon Cheval Spooktacular Dressage Show! Fable Farm breeding program was represented by Dwayne/The Rock and Sporty Spice, both of whom handled wind, flowers and inflatable decorations like grown up horses. I am so proud of these talented young horses. Thanks to Julie Christie and Terri Smedberg for bringing each of them along to be confident talented partners.

Available for purchase. 2 yr old Fables Flynn. Registered half Welsh/TB by Cherubs Casanova out of Bellewood Forever (TB).
Flynn is unstated at this time but has been lunged, ground driven, stands well for farrier and loads easily. He looks like he will top out at 15.2 h, sire is a 11.3h section A Welsh pony. Super temperament and I feel he will be an all around kind of horse, definitely suitable for the hunter ring. Price will increase as he is started under saddle this winter. DM for price and video

New experiment for Equine ETC and me?

The researchers wanted to settle an argument. People blanket horses constantly in Northern Europe, and nobody actually knew whether the horses wanted it. So they decided to ask them.

Using carrot slices and about 15 minutes of training a day, they taught each horse that a horizontal bar meant put my blanket on, a vertical bar meant take it off, and a blank board meant leave me alone. All 23 horses learned it. Most had it down in about 11 days.

Then came the real test. On cold, wet, windy days, 10 of the 12 unblanketed horses walked up and asked for a blanket. On warm sunny days, the blanketed ones asked to have it taken off. Their answers tracked the weather almost perfectly, which told the scientists the horses understood exactly what they were choosing.

They were never confused. They just had no way to tell us until someone handed them a board. 🐴

Let's go for a stroll! Art Stroll 2026 has begun. Stop by Blue Valley Clay to see some amazing work by Juana Arias and Eric Ouren, Saturday until 5 and Sunday 11-4!

Pony for sale- updated ad because I've finally compiled some video clips of him! https://youtu.be/guzVlJuUYDs

12 year old fancy buckskin Welsh pony 12.3 ½ hands

Finn has been professionally trained and has show miles in both hunter and dressage competitions. He is flashy! He can do all the 3rd level dressage moves and jump a 2’3 course. He’s a kick ride so needs an ambitious rider to keep him forwards. He is honest to jumps, trail rides, teaches lessons to beginners, and can be a super fun dressage pony. This pony could qualify for pony cup!!

Finn lives in a mixed herd, is barefoot, does not need maintenance (actually I don’t think he’s ever been lame), no history of colic, laminitis, etc.

Finn is currently not very fit as his riders have outgrown him. He will need some time to lose weight before he is show ready again but someone is going to find a super best friend in him! He’s very personable - cross ties, clips, bathes, loads, easy to handle, etc.

Located in Byron, MN. Low five figures starting with a 2.

Our August session sold out so fast we decided to run another one in July! Only 6 spots available for this one so sign up quick!

Click the link to reserve your spot!
https://bluevalleyclay.square.site/product/july-kids-clay-camp/BVNRNF7C43EKQXTBW7FBYFRM?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=29