Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue

03/25/2025

🐴 Pony Pampering Party is ON! 🐴

Spring has sprung — and that means the horses at Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue are shedding like crazy! They’re itchy, fuzzy, and in desperate need of a good grooming.

📅 Date: April 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
📍 Location: Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue, 29571 419th Ave, Scotland, SD

🧡 RSVPs appreciated: [email protected]

03/24/2025

So many trainer interviews done this weekend ... just a few left! It's shaping up to be an absolutely amazing year for the Showdown! Most of last year's trainers are back and some talented new people are taking the chance. Are you as excited as we are???

We will be announcing the trainers on April 1 ... are you ready?

03/23/2025

03/21/2025

Lily's surgery to remove the squamous cell carcinoma on her third eyelid is complete! They removed the third eyelid and a bit of the medial canthus (corner of eye). The margins will be tested to ensure they got it all.

That eye will always be a little narrower and her tear duct may not work, meaning she will need a fly mask in fly season, but given the pink skin she needs one at all times anyway.

We can't wait to be home!

We are about $400 short of covering her operation and hospitalization so if you'd like to help, donate here! https://givebutter.com/lilycancertreatment

03/21/2025

Devastating news tonight, as we have lost recent auction save Bruno, the little one-eyed c**t, to what appears to have been a rapid colic. He came up to eat when fed this morning around 7 am, but when Nina got home from work and went to feed again tonight, he was gone with physical signs of a colic.

We didn't get to know Bruno long - barely 20 days - and with the quarantine horses having a respiratory bug we didn't even get much of a chance to love on him. He's spent the last 20 days with friends, in a safe place, with food and water and as much attention as we could give without risking the rest of the herd. Unfortunately, once they got sick, only Nina would handle them to avoid spreading their disease, and she's home alone dealing with this since Tiffany is stuck in Omaha with Lily and Sophia due to the blizzard. Lots of good thoughts for her, please.

Diamond and the other three babies are all alert, active, feeling better and eating well. We will be holding our breath until they are clear from their infection and watching closely for any sign of colic. The other three babies are unhandled, so there's not a lot we can do if they do get worse, but we will do our best.

This is obviously not the news we expected to be sharing, and it sucks that we barely knew him so can't even give him the normal goodbye post. If we had any idea his time with us had been so short we would have figured out a way to give him even more attention - all the love - but he gave us no warning.

Even though it was a short visit Earthside, we know he was welcome with joy in the greener pastures where our sky herd lives.

03/20/2025

Winnie update!!

Check out this big, beautiful girl! Winnie is now 18 months old, pushing 15 hands, and thriving. She is looking for a partner in the Rising Star Division of the Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge this summer ... or would be looking for a home willing to continue her rehab process.

For now, she's doing very well. If you don't know Winnie, she came to us last May from auction with a horribly contracted front hoof. It was completely turned over and she had compensated by standing with her leg out to the side. She was one of those "no wrong answers" horses - we could have easily euthanized her, but after x-rays it was also "not wrong" to attempt surgery to fix her. At nine months old at time of surgery, she was pushing the boundaries of what is currently believed to be fixable in horses, but with vets who are having success with these types of corrections, and a willingness to try (and also to do what was right if it didn't work), along with your support, we went ahead with surgery.

Her surgery cut her deep digital flexor tendon as well as one branch of the superficial digital flexor tendon, followed by coffin joint injections, a splint and special shoes to help her learn to walk again. It was iffy for a bit, but ultimately she started walking better and now, 9 months later, it's hard to see that she ever had a problem. She will always have a club foot, and she still has some turnout in the front that concerns ME (but not her vets - they say as she grows and her chest broadens it will self-correct) but she runs, plays, is good for trims, and is unsupported by any kind of pain medication or even shoes.

This is what having the luxury of giving time and cutting edge, even experimental, treatments to a horse if it doesn't cause harm can do.

If interested in working with her for the Showdown, or to discuss giving her a home, please reach out. We're looking forward to seeing her thrive!

03/19/2025

Lily update - no power at the vet clinic!

Lily is at Nebraska Equine Veterinary on the northwest edge of Omaha for her scheduled surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her right third eyelid. We came down yesterday to get ahead of the blizzard so we're all safe and off the roads, BUT the clinic is currently without power so obviously the surgery will have to wait.

We have made arrangements to stay another night (at least) to ensure that everyone, including the vets and their staff, can stay safe. We will update you as soon as anything changes.

Donations can still be made towards her hospitalization and care and are greatly appreciated! Donate here: https://givebutter.com/lilycancertreatment

03/18/2025

We are all checked in! Bizarre seeing all the blizzard warning signs when it's bright and sunny and warm. But it is coming!

I have confirmed Lily and Sophia can stay another night at the vet and I have booked my hotel room for a second night. The storm should start tonight and is now projected to bring 4-10 inches with wind gusts up to 70 mph where I am. It should be much kinder back at the rescue.

I am going to run for some supplies (water, granola bars, etc) in case I can't leave tomorrow at all and am just hoping I can get back to the vet for their morning appointments. If not, I know they are in great hands.

Help for Lily's surgery greatly appreciated: https://givebutter.com/lilycancertreatment

03/18/2025

We are loaded and headed to Omaha for Lily's eye surgery tomorrow. We are heading into a blizzard so keep us on your thoughts. We are prepared to spend an extra night in Omaha if necessary.

You can still help with Lily's bill by donating at https://givebutter.com/lilycancertreatment

Thank you and we will keep you posted!

03/17/2025

03/16/2025

So excited for the next step! If you missed the deadline, go ahead and apply, if we can work you in we will! Otherwise looking forward to seeing how the Highlight Division does this year! How many horses can we get trained and in new homes this year?? I think a lot!

Trainer Application is Closed .... (kind of)!

If you applied, check your email, as you should be receiving one with next steps. We know there were some problems with the form so if you applied and did NOT get an email, please let us know ASAP so we can get you on the list.

We are still accepting applications for the Highlight Division, which is a non-competitive division for volunteers to work with other adoptable horses this summer and share in the adoption fee. We just ask for a minimum of 2-day a week commitment and the horses can stay at our facility. The horses can be adopted at any time - some just need a couple of tune up rides to make them ready - so if interested go ahead and apply! https://www.dakotashowdown.com/trainers

We are projecting for the divisions to have 4-6 horses each and are excited to see several 2024 trainers returning and a few fresh new faces! We can't wait to see how this year goes!

03/16/2025

Time for !

03/15/2025

This week is the perfect time to do some winter overseeding! It's early March, we've had some lovely weather that has thawed all the snow, and the ground is still frozen. Plus we were expecting winter weather which would just start the process for the seeds! We put new fence in the big pasture last fall which tore up the ground, so some seeding will only help the pasture recover. Learn more about the process and what we're doing!

This week is the perfect time to do some winter overseeding! It's early March, we've had some lovely weather that has thawed all the snow, and the ground is ...

03/15/2025

Lily is ready for surgery! She heads to Nebraska Equine on Tuesday and has surgery on Tuesday to remove as much of her squamous cell carcinoma tumor on her third eyelid as they can. Hopefully we can get it all!

She is pregnant, and due May/Juneish (estimated) so we're hoping all goes well. She likely will need chemotherapy after the foal arrives, but it isn't safe to do while pregnant.

We will keep you updated every step of the way, but be sure and send her all the good thoughts!

Donations are still appreciated towards her medical bills: https://givebutter.com/lilycancertreatment

03/15/2025

Yesterday, we welcomed Fernando back to the rescue after over 15 months in an adoptive home. His return wasn’t the kind of happy reunion we hope for — his adopters reached out saying he wasn’t working out, that they had gotten a new horse, and Fernando was now pushy, biting, and showing aggression. They stated he “had to go” or they were going to euthanize him.

We immediately responded that he was welcome back, no questions asked. After two days of silence, we reached out again, worried for his safety. The adopters replied they didn’t want to put any more time or money into him. We quickly arranged transport to bring him home — just in time before the blizzards hit.

When he was picked up, he was tied to a tree, sweating, pawing, and upset. The good news is he is in good weight, and while his hooves are a bit overdue, they aren’t in bad shape. Most importantly, the adopters did reach out instead of following through with euthanasia or dumping him somewhere, and that is worth recognizing.

However, the person who was there when our volunteer picked up Fernando's claim that this situation was our fault and that we should “screen the horses better” is not only unfair — it’s simply wrong. (we've since been informed this was not the adopter).

We do everything we can to ensure successful matches. Every horse is evaluated for temperament, handling, and suitability. Fernando was not only evaluated and ridden by several volunteers, but we had several inexperienced children as well as a therapeutic riding center representative evaluate him for his suitability — all things he passed with flying colors. We offer a 30-day trial period — because we understand horses behave differently in new homes and situations. But beyond that adjustment period, changes in behavior are rarely about the horse “being bad.” Most often, they’re rooted in either an emerging medical issue or handling and environment.

Even the best, most kid-safe horse needs regular reminders of their manners. Horses are intelligent, social animals who test boundaries — especially if they realize they can get away with it. A new horse in the herd will shake things up. It’s normal for horses to establish a pecking order, and management is key: introducing horses slowly with a fence in between, pulling a horse out if dynamics get too aggressive, and staying mindful of how changes impact the herd. This is basic horse care and management.

Fernando has only been back 24 hours, but he’s been nothing but polite. He stood tied while his hauler groomed him, even patiently enduring cocklebur removal from his tail. He enjoyed her kids' attention, led nicely, loaded easily, and spent a calm night in a stall. This morning, he quietly joined the pasture without issue — even our lead horse, Arden, didn’t have to do more than a quick sniff test to make sure Fernando was going to be a good citizen. No squealing, no running ... no drama. No aggression.

We share this to shed light on a reality many people don’t realize: a good horse doesn’t stay good without consistent, thoughtful handling. Horses aren’t machines — they’re living, thinking beings who respond to how they’re treated and the environment around them. When problems arise after a long period of success, it’s worth asking what’s changed — and how the humans involved can adjust to help the horse succeed.

We’re grateful Fernando is safe and home. He’s still the same good horse we knew — and with a little time and reassurance, we’re confident he’ll bounce back stronger than ever. ❤️f

03/15/2025

🚨 LAST CHANCE TO APPLY! 🚨

You don’t need to be a pro — if you’re horse-savvy and passionate, this is your moment to give a rescue horse a second chance and show off your skills!

🐴 Work with yearlings taking their first steps in training, friendly BLM mustangs who are blank slates, and horses ready to start under saddle — each one waiting for their chance at a better life.
🏅 Earn 50% of the adoption fee + prizes

👉 Apply now: www.dakotashowdown.com/trainers
⏳ Applications close TONIGHT!

03/15/2025

getting ready for the bomb cyclone ...

03/14/2025

Anyone recognize this lovely boy? He came back to the rescue today. Lots to say about that later. But for now, comment below if you recognize him!