Meet the Founder of Grace Reins | Erin Cain
Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning | Artist & Writer
“The horses do the healing—we just hold the space.”
Erin Cain, an Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning with over 25 years of experience, has spent a lifetime forging quiet but powerful connections—between horses and humans, healing and presence, land and longing. A dedicated practitioner and guide, Erin’s work is rooted in a deep respect for the intuitive wisdom of horses and the belief that transformation often begins in stillness. Her approach is both professional and profoundly personal. Certified and trained in equine-assisted therapy, Erin brings a wealth of clinical knowledge to her practice. But it’s her lived experience—her resilience, her reverence, her listening—that sets her apart. With every session, she artfully integrates therapeutic techniques with the healing presence of horses, fostering spaces where people can explore, feel, and remember who they are beneath the noise.
Erin’s journey here wasn’t linear. Born on the East Coast, her life unfolded in unexpected chapters—from single motherhood to the mountains of Telluride, each step guided by an inner compass pointing toward purpose. A transformative experience at a Colorado ranch in 1995 marked the beginning of a deeper calling—one that would eventually reshape her life around the intersection of mental health, learning, and the healing power of equine connection. When she met Joe, a photographer who had spent years documenting wild mustangs, something clicked. Their shared reverence for these misunderstood animals sparked a new path—one rooted in rescue, restoration, and the quiet, sacred work of bearing witness. Together, they began adopting wild mustangs—horses discarded by a system that didn’t see their worth—and watched as these beings helped unlock buried emotion and insight in the humans who came to be with them.
And then, just as the world was shutting down, a door opened.
A piece of land became available. Unplanned, but perfectly timed. Raw, open, and ready to become a sanctuary. From that patch of earth, Grace Reins was born—not from ambition, but from devotion. A space where people and horses alike could come to feel safe, seen, and whole again.
Today, Erin continues to steward Grace Reins with quiet strength and deep intention. Her unique ability to harness the wisdom of horses allows her to guide individuals on a journey of self-discovery and renewal. What she offers is more than therapy—it’s a return to wholeness, facilitated by the most honest of teachers.
Meet the Rest of the Grace Reins Team
Joe Crilly | Ranch Director
Joe Crilly serves as Ranch Director at Grace Reins Equine Therapy & Wild Horse Rescue, bringing more than thirty years of experience in the construction industry. A licensed professional and structural engineer in 15 states, he has specialized expertise in ductile seismic design for steel-framed systems and the complex demands of snow avalanche engineering, with work recognized in mountain communities such as Alta and Snowbird in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon—where precision and deep respect for the land are essential.
Beyond engineering, Joe is also a photographer who has spent years documenting the beauty and rawness of the American West. Through this work, wild mustangs became more than subjects—they became a source of connection and understanding, reflecting qualities that are both powerful and deeply misunderstood.
His path eventually led to Grace Reins, where a shared vision took shape: to create a place where horses and humans can meet without expectation, where trauma is met with presence rather than pressure, and where healing begins through connection. In the stillness of 2020, that vision found its home on a piece of land near Telluride—an imperfect but expansive landscape that marked the beginning of Grace Reins.
Kristi Karrenbrock | Creative Operations
Kristi Karrenbrock serves as Head of Creative Operations at Grace Reins Equine Therapy & Wild Horse Rescue, bringing more than a decade of experience as a brand strategist, writer, and creative producer. Her work spans social media strategy, creative direction, brand storytelling, and digital experience design—guiding ideas from concept to execution with clarity, cohesion, and intention. She is known for bringing structure to complex creative work, shaping messaging that resonates with both precision and depth.
Her path to Grace Reins began through collaboration, where professional alignment quickly evolved into a deeper connection to the mission. After first arriving on the land in July 2024, she experienced a strong sense of return that expanded her role beyond creative leadership. In partnership with Erin Cain, she has helped shape the voice and story of Grace Reins, contributing to a space where horses, land, and people come together in honest connection and transformation.
That experience also marked a shift in her own trajectory, deepening her commitment to work rooted in healing, authenticity, and meaningful connection. Her work at Grace Reins reflects a growing dedication to the intersection of story, strategy, and the equine-assisted mental health space.
Ways to Work with the Grace Reins Team
| Explore Wellness Retreats & Therapeutic Workshops |
| Make a Lasting Impact on the Legacy of Grace Reins |
| Explore Wellness Retreats & Therapeutic Workshops |
Contact Erin Cain for more information!
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| Make a Lasting Impact on the Legacy of Grace Reins |
| Explore Wellness Retreats & Therapeutic Workshops |
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| Make a Lasting Impact on the Legacy of Grace Reins |
| Make a Lasting Impact on the Legacy of Grace Reins |
| Make a Lasting Impact on the Legacy of Grace Reins |
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