Mountain Valley Horse Rescue finds a permanent home

MCCOY — The good people with Mountain Valley Horse Rescue were all shined up, crowded around a table stacked with chocolate, Luark honey and a gift bottle of locally-made gin.

“You know it’s a special occasion when none of us have mud on our boots,” they said laughing.

A river runs through it

They had plenty to smile about. They bought a 115-acre ranch, a permanent home that sits on both sides of the Colorado River Road near McCoy. It’s surrounded by BLM land and looks like the set of a Western movie. You sort of expect to look around and see John Wayne sitting horseback on a hillside, looking the place over.

They’re calling it “a peaceful place for recovery and sanctuary, for both horses and humans.”

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They’re also calling it home.

They’ve been on a place south of Eagle for years, but they’ve never made any secret that they want a place of their own.

They were so excited and hopeful, they ordered fencing two weeks before Monday’s closing.

Hard work and horses

They managed this for the same reason anyone manages anything good. They work at it.

Mountain Valley Horse Rescue has been quietly running a capital campaign since spring 2014. That YEE HAW you heard was the joyful noise of them busting out of the silent phase, landing a $1 million grant from the Shaw Family Foundation.

“We believe in the work they’re doing, not only with the horses but also the collaboration of with other non-profits and youth organizations,” said Kelly Veitch with the Shaw Family Foundation. “It’s a great circle of love and we’re excited to help them.”

Mountain Valley Horse Rescue’s goal is to raise $2 million by 2017.

“With $2 million we can make the facility everything it needs to be,” said Shana Davis, executive director of with Mountain Valley Horse Rescue.

Horses and humans

More than a decade after its inception, Mountain Valley Horse Rescue has helped more than 100 rescue horses find forever homes with loving owners. The organization’s horse capacity has swelled from its original number of five horses to more than 23 at its highest. They have 15 right now.

They were founded in 2004 to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abused and neglected horses. MVHR takes in horses from around Colorado, but primarily serves the Central Rockies region.

It’s accepted western wisdom that the best thing for the inside of a kid is the outside of a horse. Toward that end, Mountain Valley Horse Rescue offers learning and service programs for more than 1,000 youth annually.

Now that they have their own forever home, programs will grow to include equine-assisted therapy for veterans, victims of domestic violence, and individuals with autism, in addition to continuing the work they’re already doing.

If you want your name on something, and you do, hand them a donation and Mountain Valley Horse Rescue will emblazon your name on the barns, arena, and anything else you can hang a nametag on. They’re also building shelters, an indoor arena, and a caretaker residence.

“There are all kinds of other naming rights still available,” Davis said.

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 or rwyrick@vaildaily.com.