All the gold I need gleams in the sun,
neighs in the dark, and nuzzles my ear
when my day begins.

 ~ Carla Dickhaut
Breeder and Horse Trainer ~

Fayebrook Farms was founded on traditional values of honesty, integrity and strength of character. The farm is located in peaceful and sunny Central Alberta and operated by Carla and Rene.

Their story describes their real passion for horses that translates into the love and work they put into the growth of Fayebrook Farms and their belief in their breeding and training programs.

Where the Name Fayebrook Originated

The name of our farm was chosen because "It was the name my parents used."  says Carla. "My dad passed away in 1988 and I wanted to continue the name, Fayebrook Farms, chosen because my Mom's name is Faye and my sister and I were born in Brooks, Alberta.  Adopting the farm name and his teachings are my way of continuing my fathers legacy.  His is the gentlest and certainly the most effective method of training I have ever used. 

Carla's Story

I grew up on a farm and was surrounded by horses.  I would ride anything I could get my hands on.  We had friends that ran chariot ponies and boarded them at our place.  Chariot ponies are trained only to run.  I would be dragged, scrapped off and bushwhacked, but never got tired of trying.  My Dad had trained horses so seeing my passion and determination helped me get into breeding and training.  When I was nine years old my parents bought my sister and I each a mare.  My mare was bred to a handsome registered Arabian stallion. The result was a beautiful little stud colt and the start of my aspiration to breed and train horses. 

When my stallion was old enough to train under saddle I wanted to do it myself.  Dad said no.  So I waited until my parents left, got out my saddle and had a little rodeo.  This was probably not the smartest thing for a twelve year old to do, but I thought who would know. Then one day my Dad saw me riding my stallion.  He was horrified and proud all at the same time. 

Started Training at Age Twelve

From that time on nobody trained my horses but me.  I was able to get some mares and start my own breeding program.  At the beginning I raised Arabians and had some Quarter horses.  Then fell in love with Peruvian Paso’s.  I started looking at other gaited horses like Walkers and Fox trotters. I fell in love with a big Palomino walking horse, that was bred to a beautiful black stallion.   I bought them both!
 

That was fifteen years ago and I've acquired many other fine and exceptional Walking Horses and Peruvian Pasos since then. I still cannot make up my mind which breed I like better. 

Since then I have been developing my breeding program and improving on the two great breeds.  Our horses all come from championship stock with a great mix of new and foundation breeding producing beautifully natural gaited horses. 

These beautiful horses are the catalyst for how Rene and I formed our partnership.

Rene's Story

When Rene was eighteen he came to Canada to visit an uncle who had emigrated from the Netherlands.  Rene had the opportunity to be on in a cattle drive.  Riding a horse for the first in his life was a life changing experience for him.  One that would eventually bring him to Fayebrook Farms. 

When we met and he found out that I had horses he followed me around until I invited him out to meet the horses.  Knowing his limited experience with horses, I was initially surprised at his natural instinct with horses.  From the moment he stepped into the corral he was without fear of the horses and it was most evident that he could understand them.  I kept having to remind  myself that he was a novice.  I could see his passion for horses was as strong as mine.

Rene may have had a later start but within a year he started his own horse under saddle.  With his enthusiasm with horses and his absorption of knowledge about breeding and training  it was so easy for him to fit into Fayebrook Farms operations and my life.  He's constantly thinking about new ideas and they usually work, making him a great asset to the breeding operation and a wonderful partner for a horse lover like me.

Working Together

We training horses with a gentle yet firm technique that I have developed over the years.  I started with my fathers teachings - he taught me almost everything I know about training horses - and added my own techniques.  I have tried new training methods but I always fall back to my father's wisdom and experience.  Combining this training technique with Rene's previous background in holistic healing and Reiki, and his intuitive sense with horses,  we have a great meeting of the minds.  The horses are so responsive to us that in the corals at  Fayebrook there is a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from both the horses and us. 

Please view other pages on this website to see the stallions, mares and foals that reside at Fayebrook Farms.  We have included pedigrees for each as well as a personal description.

Besides breeding and training Carla's professional equine experiences extend to Equine Appraisal, being an A-I Technician, and her other passion Equine Assisted Healing. 

In other career pursuits Carla has taken several insurance courses to augment her equine appraisal work and spent considerable years working in various outreach programs in child and family services.  This field of endeavour led her to  crisis or suicide intervention programs, aboriginal studies, and home support programs, all of which has been the conduit for developing her Equine Spiritual Outreach Program.

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