Updates: August 2025
We are still in the process of caring for and rehabilitating many of the over 60 snakes brought to us as a result of a criminal neglect case in April 2025. Those who have been cleared by our veterinarian and behaviorist to join families are available for adoption and those who are not ready are available for sponsorships. To find out more visit our dedicated snake rescue website!
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Pictured at right: Vel
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary is an Arabian Horse Discovery Farm and proud to offer the Arabian Horse Association’s Lucky Listener Literacy Program. This unique experience pairs children with our Arabian and Half-Arabian horses to create a fun, relaxed environment for reading. Horses make calm, non-judgmental listeners, helping children build confidence and enjoy books in a whole new way.
For more information or to schedule a visit, contact www.arabianhorses.org.
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​Pictured at right:
Arabian horses Ranger, Amir,
Sujal, and Lucy.
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August 2025:
We are currently limiting intakes due to lack of resources to manage additional animals. If you have a horse, snake or other animal in need of help, please contact us to see if we are in a position to assist you, either directly or offering referrals.
If you are in a position to help the animals already here, donations are accepted via PayPal Giving Fund, or supplies can be sent to us from our Amazon or Chewy Wish Lists which are linked below.
​Donations towards veterinary care can be made to Critter Care Animal Hospital by calling 720-961-8550 and ask that donations be posted to our account (Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary, c/o Lori Torrini).
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We have an Amazon Wishlist that you can find here:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/31DUL4STAHX0E?ref_=wl_share​
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We are also a Chewy approved charity, so if you prefer to donation supplies directly to us we have a Chewy's Wishlist you can find at this link: https://www.chewy.com/g/spirit-keeper-animal-sanctuary_b119374783
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Feed and hay donations can be made through Big Joe's Feed Store in Yoder, Colorado (aka Yoder Feed)
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Thank you!
paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1213006
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Our current population of animals include 39 horses, 15 dogs, 12 cats, and 148 reptiles. The order of expenses for these animal calculated per animal from most expensive to least are cats, horses, dogs, reptiles.
We train cooperative care behaviors. Least intrusive, most effective is our policy!
We train cooperative care behaviors. Least intrusive, most effective is our policy!
Pictured above with Waylon is founding board member Jim Barrentine who puts in endless hours of physical labor at the ranch in addition to working full-time outside the ranch to financially support the non-profit. Jim manages the barn, supervises our small number of volunteers, handles feed and hay acquisitions, conducts fencing repairs, coordinates hoofcare with our farrier, and maintains the facility's water and propane supplies.
Pictured above with our mascot Babbie Royale Nymeria is Lori Torrini, one of our founding board members. Lori is an educator, currently serving as a Professor of Animal Health and Behavior at Unity Environmental University as well as the Director of Behavioral Husbandry here at Spirit Keeper.
She is a credentialed animal trainer and behaviorist with a certificate in applied animal behavior, a certificate in animal shelter behavior management, an applied science degree in zookeeping, a bachelor's of science degree in animal health and behavior, and a master's of practical science degree in animal science and behavior.
Lori is a Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer with additional Fear Free Veterinary, Equine, and Shelter certifications. As she has time, Lori works with private clients and their animals, donating 100% of money she earns through her training and behavior business to the animals here at Spirit Keeper. Helping Lori grow her business helps the animals so please consider supporting her work on Patreon:
​"Rapture" 24 February 1982 - 26 October 2020
Our longest-lived resident, Arabian gelding.
​"Rapture" 24 February 1982 - 26 October 2020
Our longest-lived resident, Arabian gelding.
Featured Article
Featured Article
Check out our Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary YouTube channel!
On our channel we introduce you to individual horses; and, we also post videos about our daily operations, interviews, equine educational topics, details about hay/feed, fundraising, and any current news! Like our videos and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our channel so you don't miss out on anything! Our goal is to reach the 1000 subscriber mark which is when our non-profit can start earning revenue for ads that run before and after our videos. THANK YOU!
Featured Video: Equine Enrichment at Spirit Keeper
Featured Video: Equine Enrichment at Spirit Keeper
Resident Animals and Services
Resident Animals and Services
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary is unable to admit horses into our sanctuary program at this time due to limited resources and lack of sufficient funding. Current resources and funds are being used to provide hay/feed, veterinary services, and hoof care to maintain our population horses and other animals. We ARE still providing special needs boarding, re-homing assistance, and training. Although started in 2014 to be a sanctuary for special needs and at-risk equines we have been accepting other species on a case by case basis. As of June 2024 our current population of animals includes 42 horses, 15 dogs, 12 cats, and 145 reptiles.
If you would like to help we accept donations of equipment, shelters/loafing sheds, storage sheds, feed, hay, and services. Please check with us to find out about our greatest needs prior to donating. Financial donations may be made via PayPal Giving, Facebook, GoFundMe, Benevity, or direct mail. You may also choose us as your eBay, Good Search, or Amazon Smile charity!
Please consider monthly donations, if we could get 1000 people to give just $5 a month the horse's feed and hay would be covered, leaving us able to focus on dentals, additional veterinary diagnostics, facility maintenance and improvements, and equipment.
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary, where we help elderly and special needs horses THRIVE!
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary, where we help elderly and special needs horses THRIVE!
Pictured at left in August 2018: Brownie, age 29
Pictured at left in August 2018: Brownie, age 29
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary is committed to caring for special needs equines and other species at risk of being abandoned, neglected, sold at auction, sold into the slaughter industry, or euthanized needlessly. We provide these horses and other animals with a safe place to live out the rest of their lives.
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary provides the veterinary care, dental care, hoof care, individualized nutrition, enrichment, cooperative care training, and psychological support needed to ensure animals experience optimal welfare.
We offer remote and virtual education classes, workshops, and clinics in science-based animal husbandry, general animal behavior, training, basic equine behavior and handling, and animal emergency preparedness.
At-Risk Equines
At-Risk Equines
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary provides a safe environment and comprehensive care for at-risk equines. These are horses in danger of slaughter, euthanasia, abandonment, abuse, and neglect. Resident equines include those that are elderly, have special nutritional requirements, chronic medical conditions, physical disabilities, psychological trauma, or behavioral issues. Their conditions typically prevent them from "wanted" by certain individuals and make them poor candidates for adoption. These animals may still enjoy an excellent quality of life when properly loved and cared for.
Other Species
Other Species
Spirit Keeper Equine provides special needs care, training, rehabilitation, and sanctuary for other animal species on a case by case basis. We are a Rocky Mountain Collie-Sheltie Rescue approved foster home. We assist by providing transport for collies and occasionally other animals from their current location to an approved rescue facility.
We currently provide for or have provided for ferrets, guinea pigs, ducks, goats, llamas, sheep, chinchillas, potbelly pigs, dogs, cats, snakes and other reptiles, chickens, parrots and other birds, fish, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, rabbits, and burros.
Education & Conservation
Education & Conservation
Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary strongly supports science-based medicine, training, animal care, husbandry, rehabilitation, behavioral research, and conservation. We are dedicated to educating our staff and volunteers, board, community members, the general public, emergency responders, and anyone working with animals.
We require all working interns and staff to complete the Fear Free Shelters program and the Animal Welfare Professional Program through SDZGA.
Just a few of the horses at Spirit Keeper
Just a few of the horses at Spirit Keeper
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR SITE!