Fable’s Spring Notebook-Billy Goat Bridges & Barn Wisdom at Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary

🐴 Fable’s Spring Notebook Billy Goat Bridges & Barn Wisdom at Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary

Spring arrived at the sanctuary this week.

The snow is slowly stepping back, the sun stays a little longer each evening, and the earth feels like it is remembering how to breathe again. I was standing on the hill with my herd members, Ritz and Jakers, when we heard a bus arrive. Visitors.

The high school students from Integrated Arts Academy stepped off carefully, looking around with the kind of curiosity horses recognize right away. Before they even reached the barn, the goats had already taken charge.

Cedar and Sweet William, two very confident Nigerian Dwarf goats, trotted forward like official sanctuary guides.

Cedar nodded toward the students as if beginning a lesson.

“First rule of the sanctuary,” he seemed to say, “always keep a treat in your hand… just in case we get hungry.”

Sweet William added another quiet rule.

“And we will always be hungry.”

They greeted each student differently—some with gentle nudges, some with quiet patience. Watching them, I was reminded of something artists understand well: every person approaches the canvas differently, and every mark begins with observation.

Soon three more sanctuary goats gathered—Beau, Lady, and Ralphie—and began leading the group along the thawing paths.

They proudly showed off the bridge built last year, explaining how it connects different parts of the sanctuary. And how bridges connect. Building a bridge is a lot like art projects—small pieces joining together until something strong and beautiful appears.

Ralphie became so excited crossing the bridge that he suddenly decided to play Billy Goat Gruff, bouncing proudly in the middle and forgetting entirely that he was supposed to be leading a tour.

Cedar rolled his eyes.

Ritz whispered to me,“Artists call that improvisation.”

Just then Jakers, Ritz, and I ran down the hill to greet the group properly. Nearby, David and Izzy—the sanctuary’s peacocks—loudly announced to the entire property that visitors had arrived. They have strong opinions about everything.

After the goat walk, the barn energy softened and it looked like our visitors were feeling relaxed.

Sunny, our Paso Fino herd member, leaned happily into the brushes, while Zeus, our mini—who carries a bit more caution in his heart—slowly relaxed as students walked beside him.

Watching them together reminded me of another truth artists know well:

Trust, like a painting, is made in many small strokes.

Of course Ozzie, our big black Gypsy horse, had something important to contribute.

He stood tall and offered his usual bit of barn philosophy.

“A good sanctuary has clear rules,” he explained.“Around here, big black horses get treats first. Then the rest of the herd gets their turn.”

The students laughed.

But what Ozzie really meant was something deeper:

When everyone belongs, their needs get addressed.

As the visit ended, the bus slowly pulled away.

The goats returned to their wandering patrols for misplaced snacks.The peacocks continued their loud commentary. The barn grew quiet again.

For animals like many of us who once lived without safety, a place like this matters more than words can explain.

Here we learn something simple but powerful:

Safety creates curiosity. Curiosity creates connection. Connection creates community.

It is not so different from making art.

Each day at the sanctuary becomes part of a living mosaic—many animals and people together making one herd.

Before I returned to the pasture, I thought about the mosaic projects the humans are always working on in the studio.

They spend hours placing small pieces of glass and stone together, building bridges of color and light.

From where we stand on the hill, it looks very familiar.

Because a herd is built the same way.

One careful moment of safety. One act of kindness. One curious human. One patient horse.

Piece by piece, a community appears.

— Fable

We also celebrated something special this week. Our friend Kara Thom recently published a beautiful children’s book called Sweet Tart. While writing her book Kara spent time observing the relationships and herd dynamics here at AHHS, and those experiences helped inspire some of the characters in her book. Like the sanctuary itself, the book reminds readers that kindness, patience, and courage often begin in the quietest moments.

https://excelsiorbaybooks.net/book/9781536239256 At checkout, include the name to inscribe under “customer comments.” You can choose to have the book mailed to your home for a fee, free store pick up, or free delivery to Art, Heart, and Hoofbeats (please note that in the comments). To order by phone call: 952-401-0932

🌿 A Small Way to Help the Herd

Spring is one of the busiest seasons at Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary. As more visitors arrive, the daily care for our rescued animals grows too.

If you’d like to support the herd, we created an Amazon Wish List with supplies the animals use every day—brushes, feed buckets, treats, and barn essentials.

Every small gift helps keep this place of safety, learning, and connection alive for both animals and people.

You can find the list here:(https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ZC5KLLUZV3OJ?ref_=wl_share)

From a horse’s perspective, that kind of kindness matters very much.

🎨🐎 New This Spring at AHHS

This spring we’re also excited to begin offering Art & Horse Ambassador Classes https://www.artheartandhoofbeats.org/classes, where visitors can learn about:

• the language of horses• observation and presence in the herd• creative exploration through art• how animals and humans co-regulate and build trust

We’ll also be hosting small gatherings, art classes, sanctuary visits, and seasonal events that help support the care of our rescued animals and the community programs that happen here each week.

After all, horses have always been excellent teachers.

At AHHS, we simply work in the medium of mindfulness, attention, art, and community.

Enjoy your week,

Love to you all - Fable