Fable Farm

05/17/2026

I know this woman and have deep respect for her as a horse person. I’m privileged to have met her through the Harry Whitney clinics at Mendin Fences in TN.

A common thing I deal with in my travels are horses with stereotypies. In this context, we're defining a stereotypie as a physical action the horse takes that is an outward manifestation of that horse's internal stress...but that specifically has no other purpose or function.

In a horse that bolts, for example - the bolting serves a specific purpose, usually as a release valve for the build-up of internal anxiety. It happens in specific instances or is triggered by certain types of handling or by riding. It is not something the horse does unless they need to.

But in a horse with a stereotypie, the behavior is repetitive and may present even if the horse doesn't otherwise appear obviously stressed. It is often absent-minded, as if the lights are on but no one is home.

I've come to understand horses with stereotypies as horses that have lost the ability to be comfortably present. They have experienced prolonged stress to a degree they not only could not escape from but failed to cope with through normal and by comparison healthier measures. At some point something broke within them mentally and they resorted to the stereotypie. It's my personal belief having worked with a lot with these horses that something neurological changes in them once they get to that point and while I've successfully reformed several of them, I know that they are susceptible to returning to those old patterns if not well managed.

My husband and I just celebrated the one year anniversary of his receiving his green card. After a seven year waiting process during which we were living with the knowledge that he was not protected from deportation during this time (and the understandable anxiety this caused), we flew down to Mexico for his visa interview. The morning of his 7AM appointment I walked down to the consulate with him at six o'clock. I was forced to leave him standing in the long lines queuing outside as family members were not allowed to wait with visa applicants, and so I made my way back to our Juarez hotel room to wait.

For nearly seven hours I sat inside that room, staring at the white cinderblock walls and watching the clock. I tried to read for a while. At some point I moved on to a series we'd be streaming but my mind was buzzing. Every half hour or so I found myself leaving the room and walking down the hall to the elevators, by which there were large glass windows facing the direction of the consulate. I would watch for a few minutes to see if I could pick out Ober walking back towards the hotel. If I had to guess, I probably did this three to four times an hour for nearly the entire seven hour period, only to return to my cinderblock walls to find another way to manage my growing anxiety.

At some point I started pacing the room. It felt maddening - I'd think to try and text Ober only to remember he had been instructed not to bring his phone. I knew I needed to eat something but the thought of food made me nauseous. Nothing I had available to me could preoccupy me and keep me from my own thoughts and the spiral I was starting to enter. Why was it taking so long? When would he be back? Every noise started to make my heart rate spike: a voice in the hall, a door opening or closing, the sound of footsteps. I remember laying on the bed staring at the ceiling, attempting to count the black dots in one of the tiles. I remember thinking how this must be how people lose themselves because to be present in that moment was something I was rapidly failing to manage. I also remember thinking that this must be how a caged animal feels - no choices, no out, no understanding of when things will change, just the constant and insufferable anxiety and fear.

Ober did eventually come back - I met him coming out of the elevator on one of my desperate forays to that glass window. I don't remember much about that moment other than meeting his eyes and seeing the corners of his mouth turn upwards and knowing instantly it was all okay. That exchange broke the dam on not just the last seven hours but seven years of fear and worry. It also permanently altered something within me.

I've met other horsefolk who have stories like this - things that they experienced and couldn't help but walk away from changed. Stress is a necessary thing in life and we cannot entirely avoid it, but too much has consequences.

Sometimes we recover from those consequences. While humans can make meaning of experiences - even highly traumatic ones - horses cannot. They are designed to live entirely in the present and the presence of a stereotypie tells us that that ability has been altered. The only way that I know to help these horses find their way back to peace is to get creative in addressing that lack of presence, one moment at a time.

05/16/2026

I don't tend to ride in large group clinic settings anymore but there was a time when I did. I was at one of these clinics one time in a group of well over a dozen participants. It started off as a lovely summer day but over the course of the afternoon a storm cell moved in and the clear, sunny skies turned to dark clouds and increasing wind.

At some point during the afternoon session, the storm that had been threatening to descend upon us actually did. The winds picked up and the rain came down, pelting us sideways. Luckily there was no thunder and lightening but the scene was chaotic enough without it.

A couple of people ended up coming off their horses who panicked as the energy in the environment increased and came undone once the rain started come down in droves. Others quickly dismounted, sensing the agitation growing inside their own mounts and not wanting to tempt fate. There were the few of us who stopped whatever we were doing, moved to the middle of the arena and allowed our horses to turn their haunches to the wind and rain to wait it out.

I realized the deeper definition of "fair weather rider" that day, and how it applied not only to ourselves but our horses.

I do not have an indoor or covered workspace, so the ramifications of the day's weather are very real. If it starts downpouring in the middle of a session, I can either run for cover, wait it out and keep working, or decide to pack up and try another time and calmly get my horse untacked and turned back out. I make that decision based on a few things, but my personal comfort is not one of them. There are many things I can control but the weather sure ain't one - if I don't want things to fall apart every time the wind blows the wrong way, my horses and I both need to be able to deal with that.

As circumstances would have it, I realized earlier this spring that I've set my good gelding Lewis up to learn this unintentionally. My horses live out 24/7 with access to shelter as they please but they often choose not to use it (even during storms where the squeamish part of me wishes they would). That said, we're in the process of building a new pole barn because my other gelding does not always allow Lewis to share the shed when the weather is inclement.

Because of this, Lewis has been caught in many a downpour and snowstorm, hanging out just outside of the shed. For a period of time after I brought him home I would watch him navigate this with some discomfort; he'd be unsure of which way to turn himself, shifting around, sometimes doing a bit of running about before settling in a spot that was, as I imagine, the best he could do in that moment.

Over time, though, Lewis has figured out how to find peace in the midst of chaos. In a recent downpour, I watched him locate a suitable spot, turn his bum to the rain, lower his head and lick and chew a bit before cocking a leg and settling in. It made me think back to that clinic and all those horses that panicked, not knowing what to do or how to handle the pressure the environment was placing upon them. It made me think about how sometimes, our own human desires for comfort might inadvertently limit our horses in ways that could become problematic to us down the road. Ultimately, it made me think about how important it is that we not wrap our horses in cotton wool and prevent any measure of discomfort from reaching them.

Discomfort is a catalyst for growth. It is the thing that spurns us to search and seek and find something else. If we're always within our comfort zone we never have a reason to look elsewhere. We stay unchallenged within our bubble of comfort and as soon as that bubble is burst we have no tools and no way to problem solve. This is not a way to live.

Not for us, and not for our horses.

05/04/2026

2 year old Flynn is headed to TN for his first road trip and introduction to Harry Whitney. Louie, the seasoned traveler is along as emotional support horse😉

04/19/2026

So 19 days past her due date my TB mare, Belle, finally foaled a beautiful filly by Denmark HTF. She’s very long legged, bay (or course) with a white star and white left hind stocking.
Waiting to figure out her personality to name, a “D”.
Thanks to my camera stalkers for helping on mare watch.

04/14/2026

Hello Harry Friends. Harry will be at Mendin' Fences Farm during the month of May and June. We currently have at least one rider spot open in each week. Please contact Shelby at [email protected] if you are interested in attending or auditing.
This year we are not only having Intensive and Regular format weeks, but a new East Cost Legacy Clinic week. To learn more about the clinic formats and schedule please visit Harrys Website or SJ Saddlery Inc.
https://www.harrywhitney.com/
https://www.sjsaddleryinc.com/

04/06/2026

🌷 MHJA Spring Clinic with Kyle Muckler 🌷

We’re excited to share the riders registered so far for this year’s Spring Clinic at Simons Arena 🤍

This group is shaping up to be an incredible few days of learning, growth, and preparation for the season ahead.

Currently Registered Riders:
Arianne Reents
Sequoia Kaczmaerk
Hailey Greeninger
Danielle Greeninger
Katie Olson
Brooke Brady
Natalie Grenz
Kate Goodpaster
Holly Moore
Jeni McDermott
Leah Miller
Brynley Bos
Ketki Hotaling
Annelise Detlie
Ava Lockbaum
Isabella Mccadden
Katie Kemp
Lina Oudekirk

✨ If you don’t see your name on the list and would like to participate, there is still time to join us.

🗓 April 10–12
📍 Simons Arena

To register, please visit https://horsespot.net/shows/30fe730c-83a1-444c-625e-08de6f09e10c

For any questions, please reach out to Tracy Grandstrand at [email protected] or give her a call.

Spots are filling quickly. We can’t wait to see this group in the ring 🤍

03/21/2026

Morning crew

03/21/2026

Yes this is my “Louie” and as difficult as the decision was, I breed to eventually sell and he truly is the best amateur friendly horse for someone.

7 year old WB gelding for sale

Louie (sire: Don Principe damsire: Aristotle) has show experience through 2nd level (scores up to 70 at 2nd) and is schooling 3rd with changes started. He is very very quiet and reliable- even in the show ring. He could be a para horse- light in contact, super smooth gaits that are easy to sit, and not reactive/spooky. His nicknames are “Mr. Perfect” and “Grandpa” because of his even keeled temperament.

Louie was professionally started and has been ridden and shown by an FEI trainer including successes at regionals and finals in 2025. He has been used as a lesson horse and trail horse and is very trustworthy. He can go on trail rides, you can pony off him, put anyone on him, pop him over some jumps, or go get good scores in the show ring!

He has super smooth “Cadillac” gaits and an easy to organize canter like his sire. He has more whoa than go- so the rider does need to be a little ambitious about encouraging the forward.

Louie has always been healthy and sound - an easy keeper that is fine barefoot and on a ration balancer with no supplements. Gets along in a mixed herd and can live out 24/7 or is super chill in a stall. Hauls, clips, ties, etc- no vices or quirks.

Located in Rochester, MN. Contact Julie Christie 507-280-5960

mid five figures starting with a six

videos available upon request

12/31/2025

✨ New Research: Your Emotions Don’t Stop at the Arena Gate ✨

A new study just confirmed what many horse people have long suspected — horses don’t just read our emotions… they catch them.

Researchers showed horses videos of humans expressing fear, joy, or neutral emotions and measured the horses’ reactions through:

Facial expressions

Heart rate

Eye temperature (a stress indicator)

Posture

Which eye they used to look (linked to emotional processing)

What happened?

🐴 Joyful humans = positive reactions
Horses looked longer with their right eye (associated with positive emotion) and showed more relaxed but engaged facial expressions.

🐴 Fearful humans = stress responses
Horses showed more alert postures, increased ear movement, blowing, eye‑wrinkling, higher heart rates, and greater changes in eye temperature — all signs of emotional tension.

In short: horses mirrored the emotional tone of the humans they watched.

💡 Takeaway for riders, handlers, and trainers:
Your emotional state matters. Horses are incredibly attuned to us — not just our body language, but our expressions, tone, and even physiological cues we don’t realize we’re giving off.

If you’re anxious, they feel it.
If you’re joyful, they feel that too.

Be the calm, confident presence your horse can trust.

Study: Jardat et al., Scientific Reports (2025)
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-98794-3

12/24/2025

12/20/2025

As Margie Goldstein-Engle looks across today’s show rings, she sees a sport that has changed dramatically since she first started riding. Horses are bred with more blood and sensitivity, courses have become more technical, and young riders are climbing the ranks faster than ever. But there’s one thing missing that worries her—the pipeline of riders willing to bring along young horses.

“It seems like there are very few that really deal with young horses much anymore, especially in our country,” Margie said. “It’s getting harder and harder to find people who want to do that.”

When Margie turned professional, she built her career from the ground up. “When I was twelve, I started breaking ponies and horses because of my size,” she said. “People would send ponies and horses to the farm for me to break.” That early experience gave her an understanding of horse development that still guides her today.

Now, she worries that new generations of professionals aren’t getting the same education. “Financially, it’s getting more and more difficult to carry horses and pay the showing expenses, shipping, and care,” she said. “Before, there were lots of riders who wanted to bring young horses along. It’s harder to find that now.”

The economic realities of modern horse sport have reshaped how riders build their careers. For many, focusing on made horses in upper divisions is the only sustainable path. Margie understands the pressure but still believes something is lost when riders skip the process of developing a horse from its first jump.

“The sport’s grown so much,” she said. “There are so many more people looking for horses all over the world, and fewer breeders and owners who can afford to keep young horses long enough to develop them. It’s getting more and more difficult.”

That shift, she explained, creates a talent gap. Not just in horses, but in riders. Without time on green or unpredictable mounts, riders lose valuable experience. “The more time you can spend with different horses and horses of all ages, the more knowledge you gain,” she said. “It gives you a lot more tools in your toolbox.”

Riding young horses, Margie explained, teaches lessons that can’t be learned in the show ring alone. “You learn their personalities, their likes and dislikes,” she said. “It helps you develop horse sense.”

That understanding builds the kind of adaptability that’s kept Margie competitive through decades of evolving trends. “The sport is ever evolving,” she said. “You have to try and keep knowledgeable and keep evolving with it. Every new horse teaches me something.”

Margie has seen the shift firsthand. “There are fewer and fewer people who want to help bring the young horses along,” she said. “Everyone wants to go straight into the bigger divisions.”

In earlier generations, working with young horses was part of a natural progression. Riders learned patience, timing, and feel from colts and green mounts before they ever jumped a 1.30m track. Those lessons don’t come easily, or quickly, but Margie believes they create stronger, more intuitive horsemen.

“You develop a broader background when you ride different types of horses,” she said. “The difficult ones make you appreciate the really nice ones that much more.”

To rebuild that foundation, Margie believes the industry needs more opportunities and incentives for riders to work with young horses. Programs that reward patient development, she says, could help restore balance to a system increasingly driven by quick results. To secure the future of show jumping, riders must embrace the slow work again. “Every horse is different,” she said. “They all have different personalities. The more you ride, the more you learn.”

Margie’s own longevity in the sport is proof of the value of that approach. Her ability to adapt, stay current, and produce results stems from decades spent listening to horses, not just riding them. “You can learn even by watching,” she said. “The horses are the best teachers that we have.”

For Margie, the next generation’s success depends on rediscovering that kind of horsemanship. “The more you can ride different horses, the better it is for your knowledge,” she said. “It’ll help you immensely when you go to do the sport, even at the higher level."

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📸 © Andrew Ryback Photography