Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue

09/04/2026

Saturday, we shared a sweet video of super senior horse Dex and one of the people who love her, spending some time together because we knew we were in Dex's final days, and saying goodbye isn't easy. We had hoped to have another couple of weeks, but in the past 48 hours Dex rapidly went downhill, causing us to make an unplanned early trip to the vet to say goodbye to her before things became unbearable. Tonight our 30ish year old girl is running fast and free in our greener pastures, so all that's left is to tell you all about our loved girl.

Dex has a LONG history with us. She first came to us way back in 2013, as an owner surrender with several of her friends including Katie & Suri, as well as Jackie & Duke who came from the same home. They all found their way to us after one of their owners died, and his widow was encouraged to move in with family but would only do so if her beloved horses were safe. We were glad to help.

Dex was a kind girl who seemed to have some training, but was often accident prone or had interesting medical situations. Early posts talk about a swollen leg, and her first summer with us she had a severe photodermatitis causing peeling and sunburn all over her pink skin. We learned so much from her.

Eventually she was adopted into a home with another GSH horse, and lived several years as a best friend. They participated in parades, rode around their farm, and mostly just enjoyed hanging out and being friends. In 2022, however, Dex returned to us after Chelsea passed away and her owner went through some life changes. She never stopped loving Dex, and made the 4+ hour trip to spend an hour with her today before we said goodbye.

The last four years Dex has been a loved part of our senior and Bug Club herd. She's given lead line rides, been groomed by hundreds of people, and was enjoying a pretty sweet retirement. But her luck didn't change, and most of you will remember her from April of 2024, when after a pony pampering party where she greeted people and was groomed for hours, a fluke storm out of the south east blew one of our metal run in shelters over her, pinning her down with her head underneath. Only soft spring grounds and an extremely rapid response saved her life, though she suffered severe injuries to both hind legs kicking through the tin, including an arterial bleed, and a skull fracture.

It was because of Dex that we met Drs. Bryant and Brittney Soulek, who answered our emergency call as we frantically looked for a vet to the west to avoid having to drive into the storm. Dr. Bryant spent several hours stitching up her legs, she received 5 large bags of fluid, and on several occasions we thought we were losing the fight. We all rejoiced when she made it through that first night, even louder when she came home, and have celebrated every single day since. Every one was a gift that we were lucky to have with her.

However, her left hind leg had significant scar tissue, and earlier this year we noticed her right front was showing some changes from compensating. We knew we were in the final countdown for our girl, especially as she started using that hind left leg more. We gave her a summer with free range of the farm, controlled pain management, and quietly started saying our goodbyes. Today we knew there was no point in waiting any more, as her decline was coming quickly, so we took her back to Dr. Bryant, who saved her life and bought her nearly 2.5 years more of a good life, and gave her the last rescue we could - freedom from pain and a body - and mind - that was failing her.

It's been a hard year for goodbyes, especially with our super seniors, as Dex is the 13th we've lost ... and probably not the last one we will be making the decision for. We've often talked about our very old herd and how we knew a bad year was coming, but it was only recently we really took the time to realize we are in the middle of that horrible, awful, "bad year." At the same time, being able to acknowledge and celebrate a long, long life full of love and safety makes it a little easier, and being able to give them a peaceful, pain free goodbye surrounded by people they trust and love is worth the pain that it brings.

So Dex, you will be so, so missed. Thank you for all you taught us all, and run fast in those tall grasses on beautiful, healthy, pain free legs.

09/03/2026

A couple of weeks ago, we had to say goodbye to Jack after he suffered a severe episode of colic in his long-term foster home in Tennessee.

Jack came to us in 2019 as one of 33 horses removed in the Kingsbury County law enforcement case. He was a stallion, locked in a stall, and so emaciated that his veterinarian gave him a body condition score of 1—solely because there isn't a score lower than that.

No one, including the veterinarians caring for him, really expected Jack to survive. But he did.

Once he had regained enough weight and we had finally gained legal ownership of the horses, Jack was gelded. He then tried to die on us a second time when he herniated following surgery. Thankfully, quick action by his veterinarian saved his life again.

Jack went on to participate in the 2023 Dakota Showdown, where he was started under saddle. After the Showdown, he stayed with Michelle at MG Performance Horses as a training foster and eventually moved with her to Tennessee.

Over the years, Jack met a few potential adopters, but none were quite the right fit. Instead, he remained with Michelle, where he was happy, well cared for, and loved.

A couple of weeks ago, Jack developed colic that did not resolve. It was ultimately determined to be caused by a strangulating lipoma. With no reasonable options for treatment or relief, euthanasia was the only kind choice left for him.

It is hard to be sad about losing Jack without also remembering just how much life he got to live.

The horse who wasn't expected to survive in 2019 had seven more years. He recovered. He learned. He was started under saddle. He traveled halfway across the country. He had plenty to eat and room to move. And while he may never have found his official adoptive home, we're pretty sure Jack knew he had found his person.

We are incredibly grateful to Michelle for giving Jack a home for these last few years, for loving him, and for being there when he needed her most.

Jack has now joined the rest of our herd running free in greener pastures. Rest easy, Jack. You fought hard for every one of those extra years, and we're so glad you got them. ❤️

09/01/2026

YAY — we can officially check one big thing off the winter prep list: our entire square bale order is on site and PAID FOR!

We may still try to tuck away another 100 or so square bales of grass hay if we can swing it, but our primary square bale supply is taken care of.

And today, another semi load of round bales rolled into the farm!

Between our first two loads, we now have 49 tons of grass hay paid for and delivered, at a cost of approximately $8,300.

That's a great start—but our goal is about 180 tons of round bales to carry the herd through the year, which means we still have quite a bit of hay to buy. We expect it will take another $24,000+ to finish filling the hay supply.

The good news? We still have $4,500 available in our $5,000 matching challenge! Every donation made while those matching funds remain is doubled, helping us turn each dollar into twice as much hay for the horses.

Seeing another semi pull into the farm today feels pretty darn good. Now we just need to keep them coming. ❤️

Donate to the 2026 Hay Fund: https://givebutter.com/2026-hay-fund

08/30/2026

Thank you to Kopp Building Innovations for dropping off some grass hay square bales! They used them as part of a parade float and we are happy to feed them to the horses now! Thanks for thinking of us!

08/29/2026

When a much loved senior horse is on their last days we do what we need to support the volunteers who love them.

Dex is pushing 30 and survived a shelter blowing over on her. We are no longer able to manage her pain.

08/29/2026

And that makes EIGHT Showdown horses heading home! Rising Star Luke is headed to a home today!

08/28/2026

Seven of this year's Showdown horses have found homes!

Dove, Vincent, Forrest and Dice from the Showcase Division were adopted, along with Charlie from the Foundation Division and our donkey girls, Maysilee & Merrilee, who found their home together.

There were a lot of emotions wrapped up in saying goodbye this weekend. These trainers spent months getting to know their horses, working through challenges, celebrating milestones and becoming pretty attached along the way. Handing that lead rope to someone new isn't always easy, even when it's exactly the outcome everyone hoped for.

But watching them head home with people who are excited to make them part of their family makes the hard goodbyes a whole lot easier. We're especially happy that Maysilee & Merrilee will stay together as they head into their next adventure, and we're so grateful to all of the adopters who chose to make room in their lives for one of our horses.

Congratulations to Dove, Vincent, Forrest, Dice, Charlie, Maysilee & Merrilee and their new families. And stay tuned ... there may be some more announcements coming soon :)

08/28/2026

It's farrier weekend! Our farrier comes once a month and trims about half our herd. Have you considered volunteering but can't commit to a weekly time? Joining the farrier team is a great way to help with just a monthly commitment. If interested in learning more and helping out, we meet at 11:00 a.m. to start catching horses and are usually done by about 5:00 p.m. Just message the page if interested!

Can't volunteer but still want to support the horses? Each trim is $50! Sponsor a single trim or consider setting up a $25 monthly donation for trims here: http://gentlespirithorses.org/donate

08/26/2026

A fantastic opportunity for our Sioux Falls area friends!

The Jane & June Legacy Scholarship is officially OPEN for applications! 🤍🐴

Named in honor of Courtney’s grandmothers, Alberta Jane Hargens and Lois June Bruget, this scholarship was created to help remove financial barriers for young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience all that horses have to offer.

For our first scholarship cycle, three recipients will each receive a $200 scholarship to be used toward riding lessons, camps, or other eligible youth equine programming at Rugged Cross Stables.

Applicants must be ages 7–18. Both current Rugged Cross students and those who would like to begin their journey with horses are encouraged to apply. No previous horse experience is required.

Applications are confidential, and financial documentation is not required.

🤍 Applications close: September 18th, 2026
🐴 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12F0pESlA6qEftxvYI7_2mRrCw3IKSPhnwLluEn4ZBsU/edit

If you would like to contribute to future opportunities through the Jane & June Legacy Scholarship, we would be honored to have you join us in continuing their legacy.