River Thunder Ranch, a small nonprofit just outside El Paso in the town of Anthony, New Mexico, has become a haven for unwanted, neglected and retired horses. Founder Michele Sleighel, a 38‑year‑old El Paso native who describes herself as “pretty Christian,” began the rescue after moving back to the area in 2022 to care for her first horse, Thunder.
What started as a personal effort to give Thunder a safe home quickly grew into a full‑time sanctuary. Today the ranch shelters dozens of senior horses, including therapy horse Pinto, a 30‑year‑old who still seeks affection from visitors, and River, a grullo who was rescued from a Craigslist listing despite severe arthritis and tumors.
Volunteer‑driven care and community support
Volunteers such as Tony Arreola and his girlfriend Jasmin Gomez travel from East El Paso to help haul hay, spray fly repellent and maintain the pens. Arreola, who grew up on ranches in Mexico, says the work reconnects him with his heritage. Other volunteers, like Elizabeth Zelenak, find the horses calming and therapeutic, noting how the animals help them regulate their own heart rates.
The ranch separates horses by age, temperament and medical needs. Blind horse Noche leads the herd, while miniature horses Estrella and Blackie share a smaller pen. When rain floods the miniature pen, volunteers quickly adapt to keep the animals safe.
Free farm days invite the public
Each month River Thunder Ranch hosts a free “farm day” where community members can pet, read to and even ride miniature horses. The event includes live music, food vendors and activities organized by University of Texas at El Paso students. While admission is free, a suggested $5 donation helps cover feed and veterinary costs.
In addition to donations, the ranch raises funds through an online shop and an Airbnb listing on the property. Sleighel hopes to eventually add a garden and permanent public space for the neighborhood.
Faith and compassion at the heart of the mission
“I feel like it’s my job to serve my community,” Sleighel says, citing her Christian values as a driving force behind the rescue. She believes the ranch restores not only the horses’ lives but also the faith of local residents in the generosity of their neighbors.
Despite losing a remote tech job earlier this year, Sleighel used the time to formalize the ranch as a tax‑exempt organization. Her dedication has turned River Thunder Ranch into a model of compassionate, faith‑based volunteerism that benefits both animals and the surrounding community.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
