About Shepherd's Stable Equine Center & Sanctuary
Shepherd's Stable Equine Center and Sanctuary (SSECS) is improving the lives of unwanted horses by emphasizing rehabilitation, training, foster care, and sanctuary. These efforts ensure the safety, well-being, and renewed opportunity for every horse in our care. The team is focused on 2 sanctuary horses, Magnolia & Sage, and fostering several horses for a local rescue. SSECS will launch new equine program initiatives in the summer of 2026.
The Stables, Fencing & Hay Barn are Complete
Located on the Hanson Family Foundation's 75 acres at 85th & Sycamore, Shepherd's Stable Equine Center & Sanctuary includes a 5-acre pond, pastureland, hay fields, a state-of-the-art private stable with 16 barn stalls, an attached 72'x 144' hay barn, tack room, and office. The facility houses our sanctuary horses and foster horses receiving rehabilitation and training. Watch for new equine program initiatives in the summer of 2026.
Meet Betsy Hanson
In 2023 Betsy Hanson became a founding Board Member of the Hanson Family Foundation and she serves as the Director of Equine Facility & Programs for Shepherd's Stable Equine Center & Sanctuary. In that role, Betsy oversees the care of our first two residents, Magnolia & Sage. She also manages the barn, coordinates intake, adoptions and programs of the sanctuary at 85th & Sycamore. Betsy's love for horses started at a young age and she is also a Horseback Riding Instructor. Betsy is passionate about equine care and looks forward to working with sanctuary horses, offering community enrichment opportunities and education. When Betsy is not with horses she is spending time with her husband, Sam and her one-year-old son, Ezra.
We welcomed our first sanctuary residents: Magnolia, a 10-year old mare & her young filly, Sage
Our first sanctuary residents joined us in June 2025. Magnolia and Sage settled in — mama immediately laid down and rolled around, knowing they are in a better place.
