It means we strive for a circular ecosystem: Our horses provide manure for composting, which feeds our gardens; our gardens provide food for our guests; and our guests’ stays fund the medical care for the horses and the planting of 14,000 native trees.

We are currently in the "dirt and dreams" phase! We are launching a Kickstarter and then will be first focusing on land restoration and sanctuary infrastructure through 2026. Our "First Light" email subscribers will be the very first to receive booking invites for early 2027.

It is! We calculated this number based on our 250+ acre footprint and our goal to create a massive "riparian buffer" and windbreak. This density is designed to restore the local water table, provide natural shelter for the horses, and create a significant carbon sink that offsets the travel footprint of our guests.

We believe rescue requires more than just a big heart—it requires professional expertise. We partner with seasoned trainers and vets to manage the rehabilitation of our 95 "Moons." Our guest interactions are designed to be ethical and unobtrusive, prioritizing the horses' nervous systems and recovery over "entertainment."

Our mission is centered on stewardship rather than traditional riding. While we offer bonding and groundwork experiences for those interested in ethical horsemanship, many of our residents are in retirement or rehabilitation. We focus on "being" with the horses rather than "using" them.

We address this head-on through our 14,000-tree reforestation project, which acts as a massive carbon sink. We also encourage "slow travel" (longer stays) and offer guests the opportunity to participate in tree-planting to directly offset their journey.

It means 100% solar power and specialized rainwater catchment—but it doesn't mean "roughing it." We prioritize high-quality essentials: premium hybrid mattresses, natural-fiber linens, and wood-fired Finnish saunas to ensure you are deeply comfortable while remaining light on the land.

Only if you want to! We offer "Stewardship Tracks" for those who want to learn skills like painting, gardening, or tree planting. However, if you are here for a "Deep Work" writer's retreat or a wellness break, your privacy and stillness are our top priority.

Our goal is to stay onsite. We are developing a guest garden and an onsite "pantry" market stocked with Montana-made staples and our own seasonal produce. We want you to be able to park your car and never have to leave the peace of the ranch.

 We aren’t just planting "any" trees. We will be working with the DNRC State Nursery and the local Extension Service, we are selecting native Montana species like Ponderosa Pine, Western Larch, and Douglas Fir. Using native species ensures they are hardy enough to survive Montana winters and actually benefit the local ecosystem.

Planting is only half the battle. We’ve designed a specialized irrigation and mulching system fueled by our "closed-loop" composting (thanks to the horses!). By using the DNRC’s best practices for "seedling protection," we’re aiming for a survival rate far higher than standard industrial planting.

Transparency is key. We include a "Restoration Map" in our monthly Founding Herd updates, showing exactly which sections of the ranch have been planted and how the soil health is improving. We want you to see the land transform in real-time.

Kickstarter allows us to build this sanctuary alongside our community. By backing the project early, you aren’t just booking a stay—you are providing the "seed capital" for the first 1,000 trees and the initial rescue infrastructure. In return, our backers get exclusive "Early Bird" rates and "Founder Perks" that won't be available to the general public later.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, the goals are very different. A traditional Montana horse rescue typically operates on an adoption-based model—taking horses in, rehabilitating them, and rehoming them to make space for the next horse in need.

In contrast, Karma Ranch operates as a horse sanctuary. We believe that for many horses—especially those who are senior, "unadoptable," or survivors of the slaughter pipeline—the cycle of rehoming can be a source of trauma. Our 250+ acre sanctuary is a permanent destination, not a temporary stop. Once a horse enters our herd, they have a "forever" home where they are valued for their inherent spirit and their role in healing our Montana land, rather than their ability to be ridden or adopted.

Depending on your support level, perks can range from having a native tree planted in your name (complete with GPS coordinates!) to "First Light" booking priority, or even naming one of our rescue horses. Every backer becomes a permanent part of the Karma Ranch story.

Mark your calendars for St. Patrick’s Day—March 17th, 2026! On that day, our campaign page will go live. You can participate by choosing a "Pledge Level" that fits your budget. Whether you are helping us buy a bag of seed for our 14,000 tree initiative or becoming a "Founding Partner" for a specific acre of the sanctuary, every pledge moves us closer to the goal.

We have "Digital Herd" tiers specifically for you! You can back the project to fund tree planting, rescue medical care, or receive a digital "Transformation Pack" featuring high-res photos of the horses and the land’s recovery—no travel required.

On Kickstarter, pledges are "Reward-Based." This means you aren't just giving money; you are "pre-purchasing" an experience or a tangible impact (like a stay or a tree). If we don’t hit our funding goal, no money leaves your pocket—it’s an all-or-nothing model that ensures we have enough to actually complete the project.

In Montana, the "standard" stocking rate often leads to overgrazed dirt lots that require constant chemical intervention. At Karma Ranch, we aren't just housing horses; we are restoring an ecosystem. By moving toward a 250+ acre model, we provide our 95 residents with the "Dignity of Distance." This scale allows for natural herd migration, which prevents soil compaction and allows our 14,000 native trees and grasses to thrive. On this scale, the horses become "biological partners" who help us heal the land through managed grazing, rather than just being consumers of hay.

Unlike a traditional Montana horse rescue, Karma Ranch is a permanent sanctuary. Most of our residents are survivors of the slaughter pipeline, seniors, or horses with chronic conditions like Moon Blindness (Uveitis) that make them "unadoptable" in the eyes of the general public. We believe these souls have earned the right to stability. By choosing not to adopt out, we provide a "historical truth"—a promise to the horse that they will never be sold, traded, or moved again. Instead of adopting, we invite you to Join the Mission as a Founding Partner to help protect their forever home.

Most people see horse manure as waste; we see it as "Horse Gold." In our regenerative model, we use the natural impact of the herd to break up salty Montana clay and sequester carbon. By protecting a large 250+ acre landscape, we can implement a "Soil Sandwich" (a layering of organic matter and microbial life) that creates a cooling microclimate. This doesn't just benefit the horses; it helps combat the "disposable" land culture in the West by proving that a sanctuary can be a powerhouse for local environmental healing.

We are not accepting direct donations until the launch on March 17th. However, the "pre-launch" phase is critical! You can support us today by joining our waitlist and following our journey on social media. The more people we have ready to hit the "pledge" button on day one, the more momentum we build to prove to the world that there is a better way to treat our horses and our land.

Every dollar raised is an investment in the 250+ acre Phase One infrastructure. This includes:

• The Soil Sandwich: Purchasing the massive amounts of carbon-rich organic matter needed to heal the salty Montana clay.

• The 14,000 Tree Initiative: Securing native saplings to build our 30-40% savanna canopy.

• Infrastructure: Building the "Deep Root Bridge" and the track systems that provide our 95 horses with the Dignity of Distance.

• Lifesaving Care: Ensuring high-quality forage and veterinary support for our residents as they transition into the sanctuary model.

Kickstarter is a "crowdfunding" platform that allows a community to come together to fund a specific goal by a specific deadline. We chose this model for our 250+ acre sanctuary because it represents a collective stand for equine welfare. Instead of traditional donations, Kickstarter allows us to offer "Rewards" to our supporters—giving you a tangible piece of the mission in exchange for your pledge. It is an "all-or-nothing" model, meaning we must reach our goal to receive the funds, which ensures that our Phase One restoration is fully funded before we break ground.