Spirit and Author/Volunteer Valerie Smith are looking over the first book in "The Spirit Stories" series.

Links to other sites

Brazos Valley Equine Hospital

Press releases from the American Veterinary Medical Association

Maria Daines original music

These are a few of the many horses living at Spirit Acres.

Although some of our horses are permanent residents, many are available for adoption or sponsorship!

	Spirit was rescued and brought to Spirit Acres when she was just 4 days old. She is the inspiriation for "The Spirit Stories" series by Valerie H. Smith.			Jovan, a national champion show horse, is 38 years old and a 15 year cancer survivor is another permanent resident
	Two of our permanent residents, Silver and Bashful.			Sara and Sonora~ Sonora was found with her halter grown into her head, an obvious victim of neglect.
	Ranger, an adopted paint colt, tries out  this big ball and has no problems, no fear, and a lot of fun. It just takes time and patience  and a colt can become very balanced. It works well to help him handle the obsticles and other stuff he will meet on a ride  someday.			Charisma,16 year old dark bay National Show Horse. Charisma is a very intelligent, alert mare who is in need of a home!
			Featured as Pet of the Week in "The Courier of Montgomery County" February 6, 2008.
	A few of our other horses.			Sally is an American Mustang who was born in 1989 in the mountain ranges of Montana.

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We love to have visitors, but please call and make an appointment before you come! For safety reasons, children must be accompanied by an adult.

You may call us at 936-597-5316, fax us at 936-597-5376, or e-mail us at spiritacresinc@cs.com

Write up by The Fund for Horses..

Kat Matrician~Spirit Acres Farm, Montgomery, TX
Horses Have Guardian Angels Too
Heroes 4 Horses, Sept. 2004

Spirit Acres is a magically real place. It is part foster home, part hospital, and part rest home. Some of the horses have been abused or neglected. Some have owners who were forced to give them up because of circumstances beyond their control and some horses have grown too old to do the work that was their life. Whatever the case may be, most of the horses at Spirit Acres are receiving the best care of their lives, thanks to [Kat] Matrician and the volunteers who come from near and far to keep the farm going.

Matrician began the journey that led to Spirit Acres in 1987. She heard about some that were in deplorable condition and she went to see for herself. It was worse than she had imagined. "They were dying. Some were dead, some were blind and some were infected," she says, "They were all starving." She says that over a period of months, she talked the owner "into and out of" all she possibly could.

Some might have thought the situation was hopeless, but not Matrician. It took months of food and care to restore the horses to good health, but she managed. From then on, she has taken horses that might otherwise have died from neglect or gone to slaughterhouses.

Slaughterhouses are the only topic, aside from equine abuse or neglect, which seems to arouse anger in Matrician. "Slaughter isn't necessary, but people have to take control of themselves." She says that people knowingly breed far more horses than they need, hoping to increase the odds of more desirable offspring. The rest are then sold to the slaughterhouses.

According to Matrician, Texas has the only two known operational slaughterhouses in the United States. "They opened one in DeKalb Illinois, and it burned down." She says, with a gleam in her eye, as if she knows it was the wrath of God for what would be done to horses there. The French-owned businesses export the horse meat for foreign consumption. However, if Matrician and others like can get their message across, the French may have to look for greener pastures.

As noble as cause it was, the bills for this labor of love were high. Eventually, Matrician realized she could no longer finance it alone. Two years ago, she founded Spirit Acres Farm Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, S.A.F.E. R&S, a non-profit 501c-3 organization.

Spirit Acres takes in horses due to every circumstance imaginable. If the horses are injured or ill, they receive treatment and rehabilitation. Some require retraining, learning to trust humans. Some need an adoptive family, and they receive training along with the prospective adopters, for a more comfortable transition.

Some horses are sent to the farm as a kind of equine retirement center, where they can live out the rest of their natural lives. The farm is home to one of the oldest horses in the United States, "Yorkie", who is forty-seven years old, but does not look his age.

Yorkie will spend the rest of his life in the scenic beauty of the farm, but for younger horses, there is an adoption program. Matrician says, "It's an opportunity to own very fine horses at a reduced cost and to help out." For example, she has two Arabian mares, just donated. She is willing to train horses and people alike to help find adoptive homes.

Some of the horses that arrive at Spirit Acres are no longer fit to ride, but still make wonderful companion horses. The adoption fees are usually waved for these horses. Adoption fees range from $750 to $1,200. However, it is not simply a matter of paying a fee and taking a horse. Matrician is very careful about who she allows to adopt the horses. She asks prospective adopters to spend some time at the farm with the animal first, so all parties will be more comfortable with the transition. Adoptive homes agree to be monitored for three years. Also, once adopted, the horse cannot be sold. It can be returned to Spirit Acres if needed, or transferred to another qualified home in some cases. Adoption seminars and retaining clinics are part of the program.

Matrician ensures that each horse receives individual care and attention. Despite there being thirty-seven horses on the farm now and as many as forty-six this year, she can name each horse and fully explain it's history and special needs without hesitation. The former ballerina who now must wear a leg brace to walk because of a, non-equine related, knee injury walks miles on the farm each day caring for the horses. Volunteers assist her when possible, but many more are needed.

Spirit Acres is a wonderful place to visit and has opened its doors to school groups and civic organizations. Two teachers of special needs children are now actively attempting to arrange holding classes at the farm, which will require a building and a covered arena. Matrician and the teachers say working with horses teaches focus and communication.

Matrician gives standard riding lessons, but has also personally worked with a few troubled children. She says she saw the biggest change in a boy who had burned down his grandmother's house before he came and she watched his grades rise from F's to straight A's. In some cases, the horses are trained. In some cases, the horses do the training.

Volunteers are needed in all areas and any skills or expertise could be utilized. The farm requires everything from skilled labor to manual labor, to office help. Some may simply brush the horses. People from all walks of life volunteer at Spirit Acres, and all are welcome.

Some who would like to help have no extra time to donate. Monetary donations are also needed and can be made by visiting the website. A benefit has been planned in the form of a poker run. "Hawgs for horses" will be held September 18th at Scruffy's, located at 12772 Hwy 105.E in Cut-n-Shoot, Texas. A $15 donation is requested to participate. There will be an auction of donated goods and service covering a wide spectrum. Music will be provided by The Charlie Parker Band. All proceeds will benefit the horses at Spirit Acres.



Story by JAMIE NASH | Aug. 31, 2004
The Cleveland Advocate Online

Adopt a horse

Adoption is a wonderful way to share your life with a horse of your own. Please think of adoption as the first option when you want a horse!

We have many horses that are available, some of which are introduced on the Our Horses page. Adoption fees may vary.

Be aware that adopting a horse is a huge commitment of time and resources. We use a screening process to make certain that each adopted horse will have all the care and resources required.

Please call us at 936-597-5316 or e-mail us at spiritacresinc@cs.com to make an appointment or for further information. We are usually out with the horses, so please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.