Equine Spirit Sanctuary
A Sanctuary for horses and people who care about horses
(575) 758-1212
Meet the ESS family
ESS is home to equines of all ages, types, sizes, breeds. Most of our beautiful herd were either rescues or unwanted horses. Some come from a background of neglect, starvation, abuse or injury, while others were surrendered to ESS because their owners were unable to provide for them.
When new equines arrive at ESS, they are assessed by our veterinarian and given the care that they need. This may include veterinary treatment, special diets, training, or simply a lot of TLC.
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Volunteers assist with the care of the horses while in the rehab process and when the horses are ready, they are incorporated into our programs for people. Some become therapy animals, some may be therapeutic riding horses, and some never need to do anything other than to heal and enjoy a quality life with companionship and kindness at Equine Spirit Sanctuary.
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We adopt our equines out to new homes when it is in the best interest of the equine. For more info, click here for our Adoption Policies. As part of the adoption guidelines, anyone interested in adopting is asked to sponsor the equine for a minimum of two months and, during that time period, to spend as much time as possible working with the equine and getting to know him/her. The reason for this is so that potential adopters understand the costs associated with basic care and to ensure that it is a good match for both horse and person.
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We are always striving to help horses in need and to make a difference. We invite you to learn more and join us in lending your support. Sponsors are always appreciated. Sponsors would have first opportunity to adopt one of the ESS equines if/when they are available for adoption (but adopting is NOT expected if you sponsor an equine!). Click on the photos below for info about each.
Melvin is an older Appaloosa / draft cross mare. She is a sweet program horse for light riding, yoga classes and unmounted work.
Shetland pony, 25+ years old. Pepper is healthy and cute, and just a tiny bit ornery!
Older Appaloosa gelding. Frosty came to ESS in 2021, with bad dental problems, starving. He does well now on a mash diet and is in rehab, a big horse with very little self confidence.
Mom and son, two sweet ESS horses. Baylee was the first horse born to an ESS rescued mare. He is like a big, lovable pup. Baylee is in training for our kids' programs.
Baylee and his mama Soxy Lady. In training to be program horses.
Retired Peruvian Paso gelding. Poncho is enjoying a well-earned retirement at ESS. He is now is his late 20s and in good health, which is a bit rare for a horse of his breed.
Quarter horse mare, late teens. Zoe does well with light riding and is a great horse for people to learn bodywork with, as she had come to ESS with many issues from prior injuries and some bad life experiences.
Honey is a gorgeous mare but she has a serious distrust of people and is not safe to be close to. Honey came to ESS with a serious distrust of people and tendency towards being an attack horse when people came too close. Someday, with careful training and gentle, respectful handling, Honey will learn how wonderful interacting with humans can be.
BB is an older miniature horse with a history of severe founder. She is doing great now, and is a delightful member of our mini herd.
Miniature donkey Marley, ESS Read to the Donkeys program partner.
Miniature donkey Penelope, ESS Read to the Donkeys program partner.
The cutest mini mare around! Dulcy is very timid with people, but she has tons of personality and is fun to have around.
BLM Mustang mare. Maggie is in training to be a possible program horse here at ESS.
BLM Mustang mare. Belle came with Maggie. She is in training to be a possible program horse here at ESS.
Oreo is an adorable mini horse that had a rough start in life. She is not safe to handle - yet - but is making progress and learning to trust people. Currently she is a sanctuary horse.
Oreo's problem is with people - not equines! She and Hava have become good friends here at ESS.
The best pony around! Hava has been a kids' program horse. She foundered badly a couple years ago and was diagnosed with Cushings. She is doing well again and we hope that someday soon she will be able to do program work again.
Cisco is a gorgeous pasture pal! He suffered some severe injuries when he was just a weanling and will never be sound or safe enough for regular work. He is a sanctuary horse, enjoying life in a safe home here at ESS.
Since ESS began in 2005, nearly 100 horses, donkeys, miniature horses and a pony have found a place of safety at ESS. For some it was their final home, others were adopted out to new homes, and some remain at ESS as program horses or are retired.
ESS Equines, past
Scout with his best friend, Dulcy. Scout had come to ESS starving and with a prior broken leg injury. He was given a good life at ESS with endless love and care. He developed a cancerous condition in 2022 and had to be put down.
Sweet, sweet Scout.
Lucky, an older Saddlebred gelding, came to ESS starving and in very poor condition. He thrived with rehab care and had a great quality of life before his passing due to old age.
Foxy had come to ESS starved and with bad dental issues, sinus infection, and Cushings. He was nursed back to health and was a much loved, cherished program partner and best friend to Lucky, the Saddlebred gelding.
Foxy was a safe, lovely kids' therapeutic riding horse.
Bindy, the tiny donkey with a big heart. He did it all. Bindy was with ESS from the start in 2005 till 2020, our mascot, therapy donkey, program partner.
After being rehabbed following severe founder issues, Elvis was a solid kids' therapeutic riding program horse.
Elvis could be trusted with the most fragile riders of all ages.
Dustee, Ruth's gelding. He was the heart and soul of ESS, along with his sister Mandy. They were the first two program horses for the equine-assisted services programs. Dustee touched the lives of many, many people through his presence at ESS.
Gorgeous Arabian mare whose photos graced many of the ESS program materials.
Chico Amigo, ESS much loved program horse, until we lost him to colic in 2021.
Klassy Kat, ESS superstar therapeutic riding and equine-assisted therapy horse, program horse and ESS unicorn! Kat touched the lives of countless people over her years here until we lost her to colic in 2022.
Jazzy, an older small spotted donkey that loved attention. The more, the better! She lived a good life retired at ESS, until her passing in 2022.
Joy and her mama Grace. They were adopted out in 2021 to a wonderful forever home.
Grace and Joy at Christmas.
Laureate, our gentle giant. 17.2 hands. Lars was retired at ESS with light use as a program partner. He passed away at the age of 30 in 2022.
Scribbles, an ESS rescue and success story, with his forever owner Launi.