On February 14, 2026, the Grand Valley Horse Rescue (GVHR) in Grand Junction, Colorado, hosted its inaugural “Hug a Horse” event, inviting the community to celebrate the bond between humans and horses. This open house welcomed families and local residents to engage with the rescue’s mission while enjoying hands-on activities, including grooming and walking the horses.
The event aimed to not only showcase the joy of interacting with these gentle animals but also to highlight the therapeutic benefits of such connections. “This is our first annual Hug a Horse event,” said Heather Thom, Treasurer for GVHR. “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.”
Attendees were able to explore how spending time with horses can foster emotional well-being. Research has indicated that interactions with horses can have measurable calming effects. “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 emphasis on mental wellness underscores the significant role that GVHR plays in the community, focusing on fostering human-animal connections that can transform lives.
While events like Hug a Horse bring awareness and joy, the core mission of GVHR remains centered on rehabilitating horses and finding them permanent homes. “Once they come to us, we rehabilitate them however we need to, whatever the horse needs,” Thom stated. “The ultimate goal is to adopt them out to a family so they can continue to love and enjoy the horse.”
Supporting this mission requires substantial resources. On average, each horse costs approximately $525 per month, covering essential expenses such as boarding, hay, special medications, and veterinary care. “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 the generosity of the community 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.
Opportunities for community involvement are plentiful, whether through hands-on engagement with the animals, making financial contributions, or donating supplies. For those interested in supporting the Grand Valley Horse Rescue, more information about volunteering, donations, and the rescue’s ongoing work can be found on their official website.
This Valentine’s Day event not only provided a memorable experience for participants but also reinforced the importance of community support in the mission to rehabilitate and place horses in loving homes.
