This Valentine’s Day, the Grand Valley Horse Rescue (GVHR) in Grand Junction, Colorado, hosted its first-ever “Hug a Horse” event, inviting community members to engage with the horses and learn about the rescue’s mission. Families and residents gathered to experience the therapeutic benefits of interacting with these gentle animals while supporting the rescue’s work in rehabilitating and rehoming horses.
The event featured activities such as grooming horses and walking the property, allowing attendees to connect with the animals and appreciate the rescue’s efforts. According to Heather Thom, Treasurer of GVHR, the initiative aimed to showcase both the enjoyment of spending time with horses and the deeper emotional benefits involved. “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,” Thom stated.
Therapeutic Benefits of Horse Interaction
Research indicates that spending time with horses can significantly impact emotional well-being. The calming effects are not merely anecdotal; they are measurable. “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 aspect of the rescue’s mission underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering human-animal connections that can transform lives.
While the “Hug a Horse” event provided a joyful experience for attendees, the primary focus of GVHR remains on rehabilitating horses in need and finding them permanent homes. “Once they come to us, we rehabilitate them however we need to, whatever the horse needs,” Thom remarked. “The ultimate goal is to adopt them out to a family so they can continue to love and enjoy the horse.”
Community Support and Financial Needs
Supporting the rescue’s efforts demands significant resources. Each horse incurs approximately $525 per month on average, which covers essential expenses such as boarding, hay, veterinary care, and medications for those with special conditions. “We don’t own the property, so we pay board,” Thom noted. “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-run organization, GVHR relies heavily on community support to sustain its operations. “All of us are volunteers, and it takes quite a bit of money to support all of our horses,” Thom emphasized. The rescue encourages community members to get involved, whether through hands-on experiences, financial contributions, or supply donations.
For those interested in supporting the Grand Valley Horse Rescue or learning more about their work, the organization provides various opportunities for engagement. Further information about volunteering and donations can be found on their website.
