Grand Valley Horse Rescue Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Community Event

On February 14, 2024, the Grand Valley Horse Rescue (GVHR) hosted its inaugural “Hug a Horse” event in Grand Junction, Colorado. This community celebration highlighted the unique bond between humans and horses, inviting families and local residents to engage with the rescue’s mission. The open house allowed visitors to groom horses, explore the property, and learn about the therapeutic benefits associated with spending time with these gentle animals.

According to Heather Thom, Treasurer of GVHR, the event aimed to showcase not only the joy of interacting with horses but also the deeper emotional and psychological benefits. “This is our first annual Hug a Horse event,” Thom stated. “Families and people in the valley came to see what we do, hug a horse, groom a horse, and just spend some time with them.”

The therapeutic impact of horse interaction has been well-documented. Research indicates that the calming effects of being around horses can significantly lower both human and equine heart rates. “Just spending time with a horse, your heart rate and the horse’s heart rate kind of sync,” Thom explained. “It helps with calmness and calms your emotions, lowering your heart rate.” This connection underscores the rescue’s mission, which is centered on fostering not just animal welfare but also human well-being.

While events like Hug a Horse provide memorable experiences, GVHR’s primary focus remains on rehabilitating and rehoming horses in need. “Once they come to us, we rehabilitate them however we need to, whatever the horse needs,” Thom noted. “The ultimate goal is to adopt them out to a family so they can continue to love and enjoy the horse.”

Maintaining the rescue’s operations demands significant resources. Each horse costs approximately $525 per month, which covers essential expenses such as boarding, hay, specialized medications, and veterinary care. “We don’t own the property, so we pay board,” Thom added. “The hay we provide for them twice a day, medications for horses with conditions, vet care, hoof care—it all adds up quickly.”

As a volunteer-driven organization, GVHR relies on the generosity of the community to sustain its work. “All of us are volunteers, and it takes quite a bit of money to support all of our horses,” Thom emphasized.

For those interested in supporting GVHR, there are various ways to get involved. Opportunities for hands-on interaction with the horses, financial contributions, and supply donations are all welcomed. To learn more about volunteering, making donations, or to discover more about the Grand Valley Horse Rescue, interested individuals can visit their website.