About Us

Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue was founded in 2010 by Kathi Ring and her daughters, Tiffany and Nina, with a simple belief: every horse has value and deserves a second chance. What began as a private sanctuary quickly grew into a public nonprofit as the need for safe refuge and responsible rescue in the Dakotas became clear.

We embrace a Full Circle of Life, open-door philosophy — meaning we accept horses of all ages, breeds, and conditions, including those who are elderly, injured, or unhandled. Every horse deserves safety and compassion, whether that means rehabilitation and adoption, long-term sanctuary, or humane end-of-life care.

Since then, Gentle Spirit Horses has provided safe haven to more than 425 horses, offering shelter to an average of 50–65 horses at any given time. We have placed hundreds into loving homes while maintaining a lifetime safety net for every horse that comes through our gates.

Beyond rescue and adoption, we are dedicated to education and community outreach. Our programs include the Bug Club Children’s Program, which teaches youth about compassionate horse care, and the Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge, which builds partnerships between young mustangs and dedicated trainers. We also partner with volunteers, interns, and community groups to create hands-on experiences that strengthen the culture of horse welfare across South Dakota.

Today, several of the original sanctuary horses — now in their 30s — continue to remind us that senior, retired, and even blind horses still have purpose, joy, and lessons to share. At Gentle Spirit Horses, we remain committed to giving every horse a chance to heal, grow, and find their forever place.