Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary

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Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary Sanctuary for life program optimizing welfare for special needs and at risk horses, dogs, cats, rept

Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission started out to save at-risk horses from slaughter and neglect by providing a safe place for retired, elderly, and special needs horses where they could be cared for, nurtured, treated with respect, and protected for the rest of their lives and to provide enriching environments where the well-being of each individual horse was

a priority has evolved to accept all species of animals that our facility and staff can accommodate. Thes include animals with speical needs, including at-risk horses with medical or nutritional needs, elderly horses, and horses which for whatever reason are no longer "usable" by the equestrian industry or who have been deemed "unadoptable" by rescue organizations. We want to make sure horses are kept out of the slaughter industry, are free from neglect and abuse, and that they experience good quality of life for as long as possible. Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary offers a re-homing assistance program for individuals no longer able to keep their animals. We investigate each situation individually, gather information about the animals in need of new homes, screen potential new homes for a good match, and mediate the transfer. In some cases we may bring the animals to Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary where they stay temporarily until they move to their new homes. Spirit Keeper Animal (formerly Equine) Sanctuary staff is dedicated to the total well-being of horses and other animals. We promote science-based animal management, cooperative care training, and microchipping. We believe strongly that the more informed and better educated animal keepers are, the better quality of life their animals will have. Our educational program services include: positive reinforcement animal training adhering to the least intrusive minimally aversive principle, cooperative care training, choice-based interactions, starting untrained horses cooperatively, public or private educational classes in: animal emergency preparedness, caring for special needs and geriatric animals, equine behavior and handling, snake behavior and training, dog training and behavior modification, animal identification and theft prevention, personal safety for animal owners, and other topics upon request. Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary, DBA Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary Executive Board of Directors,

Lori Torrini, Carol Torrini, Angeline Canney, James Barrentine, Juan Ramos, and Shelley Carbonara-Ramos

501(c)(3) EIN 46-4534803
[email protected]
www.SpiritKeeperEquine.org
(719) 478-0080 office
(303) 921-0785 ranch
(719) 339-0312 cell
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If you see something say something! Animal hoarding has a very high recidivism rate, with estimates ranging from 60% to ...
22/06/2025

If you see something say something! Animal hoarding has a very high recidivism rate, with estimates ranging from 60% to 100%. This means that individuals who have had animals removed due to hoarding behavior are likely to repeat the behavior and re-acquire animals. Animal hoarders lack awareness of the harm they are causing to their animals and the unsanitary conditions they are living in. Animal hoarding is associated with mental health conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Ensuring proper monitoring of possession bans and enforcing them effectively is crucial in preventing future hoarding.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202310/the-reality-of-animal-hoarding/amp

Stumpf, B. P., Calácio, B., Branco, B. C., Wilnes, B., Soier, G., Soares, L., ... & Barbosa, I. G. (2023). Animal hoarding: a systematic review. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 45(4), 356-365.

Cytar and Mario saying goodnight. 🌙
20/06/2025

Cytar and Mario saying goodnight. 🌙

20/06/2025

BACKGROUND:Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary (501c3), in early April 2025 was asked to serve as a temporary stopover for a group of snakes headed to rescues to ...

17/06/2025

On April 15, 2025 Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary received 67 criminally neglected snakes with compromised health due to starvation, dehydration, snake mites,...

03/06/2025

01/06/2025

31 May 2025Aslan was one of 67 snakes rescued during a hoarding and criminal neglect case. Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary’s Emergency Response Team worked wi...

Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary took custody of 67 neglected snakes in a criminal hoarding case on April 15, 2025. A few ...
25/05/2025

Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary took custody of 67 neglected snakes in a criminal hoarding case on April 15, 2025. A few of the snakes have been cleared for adoption. There is a rigorous process to adopt one of these animals. To find out more go to our dedicate website.

Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary 501c3 Colorado, USA

20/05/2025

5 Common Misconceptions About Horse Behavior—and What Neuroscience Really Says

By Jenn Currie | Brain-Centered Horsemanship

We’ve all heard them. The casual labels, the assumptions, the age-old advice passed down in barns and arenas. But when we pause and consider what’s happening under the hood—in the brain—we start to see behavior differently.

Let’s break down five common misconceptions about horse behavior and explore what neuroscience really tells us.

1. “He’s just being naughty.”

The Myth: The horse is misbehaving on purpose, maybe even to annoy you.

The Truth: Horses aren’t moral creatures. They don’t have a concept of “right” or “wrong” the way humans do—they have a concept of safe or unsafe. When a horse resists, reacts, or refuses, it’s not about defiance—it’s about survival.

Labeling behavior as “naughty” often causes us to overlook the real cause: fear, pain, confusion, or unmet needs. The brain’s number one priority is safety, and if a horse’s behavior is changing, it’s usually their way of communicating discomfort or distress—not plotting rebellion.

2. “He’s just testing you.”

The Myth: Your horse is trying to see what they can get away with.

The Truth: This idea puts the horse in a manipulative role they’re not neurologically wired for. Horses have a frontal lobe, but it’s less developed than ours. They can think a few steps ahead, but they do not plan elaborate schemes to test your patience.

Most of the time, what we interpret as “testing” is actually the horse seeking clarity, consistency, or reassurance. Their brains are designed to respond to the present moment—not to strategize about dominance.

3. “He’s pretending to be scared to get out of work.”

The Myth: The horse isn’t actually afraid—he’s faking it.

The Truth: Fear in horses is real and often misread. Neuroscience shows that when the amygdala—the brain’s fear center—is activated, logic takes a back seat. That freeze, spook, or bolt isn’t planned. It’s a reflex.

If your horse “acts scared” in one environment but not another, it doesn’t mean he’s faking—it means his brain is reacting to context. Horses don’t generalize well. A tarp in the arena isn’t the same as a tarp in the woods. If their brain perceives a threat, the response is genuine—even if it seems irrational to us.

4. “He knows better.”

The Myth: The horse is doing something wrong even though they’ve already learned what’s expected.

The Truth: Learning isn’t linear. Just because a horse performed something yesterday doesn’t mean they can execute it today under different conditions. Stress, distractions, pain, or lack of sleep can all impact recall and performance.

Think of it like this: the hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning—can become overloaded. If a horse is overwhelmed, they’re not being stubborn—they’re hitting a cognitive limit. They need time, repetition, and rest.

5. “He’s being disrespectful.”

The Myth: The horse is trying to assert dominance.
The Truth: This one is especially harmful.

“Disrespect” implies intent and moral judgment—something horses simply don’t possess. What looks like “disrespect” is usually miscommunication.

Horses speak through movement, pressure, posture, and energy. If your horse is crowding, biting, or ignoring cues, it’s not about dominance—it’s about confusion, anxiety, pain, or poor timing. When we replace punishment with observation and curiosity, we begin to teach, not just correct.

Why This Matters

When we mislabel behavior, we miss opportunities to teach, connect, and understand. Neuroscience doesn’t just explain behavior—it gives us a roadmap to build safer, more trusting partnerships.

As someone who’s worked with both horses and humans for decades, I can tell you: when we train with the brain in mind, the results speak for themselves.

Let’s stop guessing—and start understanding.

Want to Learn More?

Follow me Horse of a Different Color: Brain-Centered Horsemanship or visit horseofadifferentcolor.org to explore upcoming clinics, articles, and hands-on opportunities to dive deeper into brain-centered horsemanship.

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