Fable Reflects on Trust After a Recent Veterinary Visit

Fable’s Weekly Words of Wisdom-

on Safety, Trust & Personal Wellness.

(From Fabulous Fable & all of us at Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary)

For horses like me, safety always comes first.

As prey animals, we are always scanning for danger. Only when we feel safe can trust begin to grow.

Trust may be one of the hardest things to believe in after it has been broken.

Safety was not part of my first 12 years. I knew rough handling, neglect, yearly pregnancies, little medical care, and not enough food. My body learned to survive without comfort.

Real change only can happen when safety is real.

This week I had a full dental and medical exam. I was given medication to help me relax. It was hard. My body remembered the past. Every instinct said, Run.

But I stayed.

Moon stood nearby. Anne’s gentle touch reminded me I was safe.

When I struggled with sensitivity, Anne didn’t rush to label it mental or physical. She simply adjusted — softened her movements, changed her posture, supported my comfort.

That is what safety feels like.

Dr. Young was patient and willing to wait. Sharp points were removed from my teeth that had likely caused pain for years. I may need more work — but I made a first step forward.

I was brave — not because I wasn’t afraid, but because I trusted I was supported.

Here at AHHS, we practice this same philosophy in our art studio and in the pasture.

Creativity, like healing, requires safety first. You cannot create freely if you feel rushed, judged, or unheard. Art gives space for reflection. Horses teach us to regulate. Together, they help us build trust in ourselves.

In medical spaces — just like in creative spaces — you deserve time. You deserve patience. You deserve to ask questions. You deserve to say, “I need to think about this.”

Trust grows when someone feels heard.

Supporting others means slowing down. Listening. Adjusting without judgment. Finding ways to lessen suffering instead of pushing through it.

Sustainability is not separate from safety. It takes skilled veterinary care, nutritious food, creative expression, and a community willing to stand beside one another.

When a herd stands together, everyone has a better chance at healing.

This week, ask yourself: Where do I feel safe? What helps me express what I am going through?

Who is in my herd?

Together, we build safety.Together, we build trust. Together, we create — and sustain — healing.

— Fable 💚