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Equine Spirit Sanctuary

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Ranchos de Taos, NM
Equine Spirit Sanctuary

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Rescue and rehab sanctuary for horses that offers equine-assisted service programs for people. We are open for visitors on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

We follow COVID-19 safety guidelines and are NM SAFE certified. ESS is an equine center with lots of great horses, miniature donkeys, miniature horses, and ponies. Our rescued and unwanted equines are rehabbed and then adopted out or become a part of our programs for people - kids' lessons, therapeutic riding and equine-assisted therapy and learning activities, art classes, educational events.

10/26/2026

✨𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐈𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞! 🐴❤️

FINALLY! 🎉 Starlight got a FULL hoof trim—and it’s a huge milestone in his rehabilitation!

Until now, balancing on three legs for trimming was just too difficult. Ongoing spinal issues and tightness in his hindquarters make holding up his feet challenging, and fear or past experiences may have made hoof handling even harder. We wanted him comfortable, not stressed, so we found a way to help him through it safely.

Enter the village! 🥰

🩺 Dr. Hilary Clayton provided sedation to keep Starlight comfortable.

🐴 Barefoot hoof specialists Dora and Steve Hebrock took turns trimming and supporting him.

💪 Ruth held his head, while volunteer Erin swept up hoof trimmings to help keep the flies away!

Teamwork made it happen, and all four feet are now balanced and healthier. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐲! ❤️

Meanwhile, Northern New Mexico has been getting some much-needed rain—but the recent heavy downpours have also brought flooding concerns across parts of our region and southern Colorado. 🌧️ We’re grateful for the moisture our land desperately needs, while keeping everyone affected by flooding in our thoughts and prayers.

Here at ESS, the property has little lakes everywhere! Starlight and his best buddy Markeyn spent hours in the arena shelter, staying dry while visiting their horse friends across the fence. Today, the rain finally paused, and the boys got back out on the track! ☁️🐴

Rehab takes patience, creativity, and a whole lot of helping hands. Today, we’re celebrating healthier feet and another big step toward Starlight’s best life.

Want to help ESS continue giving rescued animals the care they deserve? Sharing Starlight’s story or making a donation means so much. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬! 💚

10/25/2026

Penelope posed for a picture with this low, long rainbow with double rainbow above faintly seen through the clouds this afternoon during a brief break from the rain.

10/25/2026

💙 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆💙

The flooding across western Northern New Mexico and southern Colorado has brought difficult challenges to communities, families, and animals throughout our region. Our hearts are with everyone navigating the damage, uncertainty, and long road to recovery.

For those who care for horses and other equines, disasters bring additional worries — from finding safe shelter and emergency hay to repairing damaged fencing and securing veterinary care.

🐴 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦 & 𝗦𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗘𝗦!

Fleet of Angels is offering emergency grants for eligible horse owners and small rescues impacted by the flooding. Assistance may be available for:

💙 Emergency hay and feed
💙 Critical supplies
💙 Veterinary care for flood-related injuries
💙 Materials to repair damaged fencing

👉 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:
🌐 https://www.FleetOfAngels.org

Please note that grant applications may not be accepted every day, so visit the website for the latest information about application availability and eligibility.

If you or someone you know has been affected, please share this resource. You don’t have to navigate the challenges of caring for your equine family alone.

At ESS, we know how much these animals mean to the people who love and care for them. In times like these, sharing resources and looking out for one another can make a meaningful difference. 💙

Please keep the affected communities, their families, and all the animals in your thoughts and prayers. If you know someone who could benefit from this assistance, please pass this information along.

𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘀. 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 🐴❤️

10/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EzqtHpeKw/

10/19/2026

✨ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞… 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤!🐴😂

It’s been a busy week at ESS, so no big rehab updates from Starlight today. The good news? 𝐇𝐞’𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭! ❤️

Starlight and his best buddy, Markeyn, are living their best lives—enjoying the lush green grass left by our much-needed rains, snoozing in the sunshine, and hanging out across the fence from 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧, our newest rescue, who’s getting extra feed, love, and attention. 🌱☀️

Full bellies, good friends, sunny naps… what more could a horse want?

Well, maybe a little more sleep! 😂

Grace and Joy, our big donkeys, are back at ESS, and they’re MUCH louder than our mini donkeys. Grace has appointed herself Ruth’s personal alarm clock, with a daily wake-up call at 𝟔:𝟏𝟓 𝐚.𝐦. 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩. No snooze button—and Starlight gets woken up, too. Probably the whole neighborhood! 🫏📣

Meanwhile, the feral kittens have moved into the hay stall, bringing extra nighttime activity to the barn. Luckily, Starlight doesn’t seem to mind his tiny feline roommates. 🐈‍⬛🐾

No big milestones this week—just green grass, new friends, happy naps, and a barn full of life. ❤️

Now, if someone could just explain to Grace that some of us enjoy sleeping in… 😂

If these little glimpses of life at ESS bring a smile to your face, we’d love for you to be part of our sanctuary family. Sharing our posts, following Starlight’s journey, or making a small donation all help us keep giving rescued animals the care, comfort, and second chances they deserve. Every bit of kindness makes a difference. 💚🐴

10/12/2026

✨ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬! ✨🐴

Starlight has a new buddy! ❤️ Meet 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐧, our newest arrival at ESS. These two spent their first nights in side-by-side stalls, and apparently, that was all it took to become instant besties!

Today, we introduced them in the arena, and they got along beautifully. This afternoon, they graduated to hanging out together on the track, and that went just as well. We love seeing friendships bloom so quickly! 🥰

Meanwhile, the girls had to investigate the new guy. Just look at them lined up along the fence, checking him out! 😂

Honestly, with a handsome new Arabian on the property, we can hardly blame them for being a little awestruck. There’s nothing quite like a bunch of curious mares keeping tabs on the neighborhood gossip!

We know that some days, life can feel awfully heavy. Here at Equine Spirit Sanctuary, we feel that, too. ❤️ So this Sunday, we wanted to bring you a little sunshine, a few silly Arabians, and a reminder that sometimes the smallest moments of friendship can make the whole day brighter.

𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞-𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.💕🐴

10/05/2026

💫𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭💫

September 28 brought another chiropractic treatment with Dr. Subasi, and we’re finally seeing some progress with Starlight lifting those hind legs! Every bit of progress matters. ❤️

While Starlight watched from his stall, Zella got her turn with Dr. Subasi. These two could seriously be twins — right down to their ears and facial expressions! 😂🤍

And this week? 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠! 🌱

All that rain that created a muddy mess but also worked a little magic as all of a Taos is witnessing. The grass has come alive again, and there is more green popping up now than we’ve seen all year. It feels like springtime in October!

Every morning, Starlight gets to explore the property and search out the very best patches of grass. He takes this job very seriously. 😉🌿

As we watch Starlight continue to heal, learn, and simply become more comfortable in his own skin, we’re reminded how much it takes to give horses like him a second chance.

And that’s why, especially right now, we want to encourage everyone to look toward your own community and support your local 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐞𝐭𝐜., if you can. These organizations are helping animals and people through some incredibly difficult times, and they need their communities beside them.

It doesn’t have to be a huge contribution. Donate if you can. Volunteer. Sponsor an animal. Bring a bag of feed. Share a fundraiser. Buy something from a wish list. Or simply tell someone about the organization doing good work down the road. If interested in learning more about ways you can help 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲, come by and see us Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday 10am-4pm. We would love to show you around and introduce the herd!

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞. 🐴❤️

And around here, we know just how much a second chance can mean.

Happy Sunday from Starlight. 🤍🌿

09/28/2026

🌧️ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐌𝐮𝐝 & 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞!🐴🏜️

Northern New Mexico has been getting some 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡-𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧, and we couldn’t be happier! The more, the better! 💧🌧️ After such a dry season, every drop is something to be grateful for.

Of course… all that rain comes with a little mud. 😂

Starlight doesn’t seem to mind one bit. In fact, he wears mud remarkably well! Somehow, he manages to look absolutely filthy and still be completely gorgeous. 🤎🐴

The rain itself? Not his favorite. Starlight would much rather stand comfortably in his clean, dry stall and let Mother Nature do her thing outside. 😂

And Tony the Llama? He’s apparently decided all this rain calls for a 𝐰𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥! 🦙💧

After days of rain, today finally brought us beautiful sunshine. And what a sight it was! The chamisa bushes are covered in bright yellow blooms, lighting up the property and reminding us just how beautiful the desert can be after a good soaking. 🌼☀️

We’ll happily take the mud, the puddles, the dirty horses and even the soggy llama.

Keep it coming, Northern New Mexico! We’re grateful for every drop. ❤️🌧️

09/20/2026

✨ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ✨

Sometimes the little things are the biggest rewards. 💙🐴

Starlight’s morning turnout often starts with a little pre-breakfast grazing. The tiny patches of green grass along the driveway aren’t enough for real grazing, but after this past week’s wonderful rains, they’ve made a comeback—and Starlight thinks they’re delicious! 🌱

Today, for the first time, he was turned loose to pick and choose his favorite spots. He thoroughly enjoyed his little green-grass buffet and was wonderfully well-mannered when it was time to be caught and turned out with the other horses. ❤️

And that treat was well deserved after some much-needed 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

His feet aren’t terribly long, but they are rough and need balancing so he can stand and walk more comfortably. Hoof handling has been a big challenge for Starlight. He isn’t yet confident or balanced enough to comfortably hold his feet up for trimming.

We’ve been working on it little by little, and we’re finally seeing progress! He is much better about having his front feet picked up, and today we were able to do some work with the nippers and rasp.

We don’t know if he had a frightening experience with hoof care in the past, or if discomfort and tension in his body simply made it feel unsafe. Whatever the reason, he is learning he can 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐬—and today, his front left hoof is looking great! 🥰

The soft mud and arena footing from all that rain helped tremendously, too. His hooves softened enough that we could work on them without breaking the nippers! 😂🌧️

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐟. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.❤️

09/14/2026

✨ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ✨

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥!📚🐴

A few days ago, he got to check out the ESS classroom—and he was quite the gentleman on his little field trip.

The ESS facility was originally home to 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲, a horse hospital and clinic, and our classroom was once the horse exam room. While it has been converted into a classroom, it still serves an important purpose when one of our horses needs veterinary care.

The room also has stocks, which are a great tool for helping horses become comfortable in a safe, enclosed space before introducing them to a trailer. Starlight did great loading into the trailer when he first came to ESS, but we’ll still include the stocks as part of his training and bring him along for classroom activities when appropriate.

And now he knows exactly where all those 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬 come from! 😂

We’re also continuing to work on helping Starlight feel comfortable with being tied. Rather than tying him solid, his lead rope is threaded through the stall bars, allowing him to experience the sensation without being trapped if he becomes frightened and pulls back.

We suspect some of the issues with his jaw alignment, neck tightness, and facial paralysis may have originated from a previous pulling-back incident. Reintroducing this experience gently gives him the opportunity to learn that being tied doesn’t have to mean fear or panic.

And, of course, Starlight continues to enjoy his regular grooming and bodywork. We’re working on releasing the tension he’s carried in his body—𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.

Sometimes the best sign that it’s working is a giant yawn, a big stretch, or that wonderfully deep, contented sigh. 🥰

𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐲, 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞… 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞.❤️🐴

Address

13 Los Caballos Road (283 Cuchilla Road)
Ranchos De Taos, NM
87557

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15757581212

Website

http://www.equinespiritsanctuary.org/, https://www.equinespiritsanctuary.org/howyoucanhelp/hayfund

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