Mountain Valley Horse Rescue

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Horses for Adoption:
Our job begins when a horse is surrendered or is found abandoned. The horse is taken to one of our foster homes, and is given immediate medical attention. He or she is housed by us and cared for until we deem the horse both physically and emotionally prepared for a permanent family. Once horses that we have rescued are fully physically and emotionally recovered, we offer them for adoption into suitable homes. NOTE: Although we do not have the resources to provide a retirement home situation for unwanted or elderly horses, we are happy to help owners toward successful placement of these animals.

To browse the horses that are ready for adoption, view the photos below, and click to see a large photo and more information for each horse. Due to our operating expenses, we cannot offer horses cost-free, but we try to offer a cost that is as low as possible; (usually between $350 - $1000) this varies depending upon the features of a given horse, such as the horse's breed, age, training, and soundness. Many horses come to us already trained in activities such as reining or trail riding. We spend a lot of time with each horse and try to assess each horse's abilities and temperament before offering him or her for adoption. Because we do not know the background of many of these animals we cannot make any guarantees and can only give you the best information we have. Many may need additional training with a professional trainer if the adoptive home does not have the ability to do so. This can add additional cost to a rescue horse, but will be well worth the investment in the long run.

To view and print documents for adoption or foster care, please click here , and don't hesitate to contact us if you have further questions about a particular horse or our application process in general. We would be happy to hear from you!

 


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Duncan
Three year old now gelded QH.  Duncan became MVHR's when the person who was supposed to get him backed out.  He was at the time a Stud Colt and had very limited handling.  MVHR did not have the facility to house a Stud and because he was not halter broke at all decided the best thing to do was to send him to Professional Trainer Jason Patrick in Steamboat Springs for some "Boot Camp".  Jason and his crew had him 8 days where they halter broke him and got him to respect and like humans.  He was ridden 3 times and may even be in Western Horseman magazine this fall as they had interviewed Jason when he was working with Duncan.  Next to the last day he was gelded and returned to our home base a new horse. Duncan is already maturing and should be 15-15.1 hands when finished.  He still needs to get muscle but is out with a herd of geldings learning from them all the social skills needed to be a part of a herd.  He is easy to handle and seems to enjoy working with people.  Duncan will need an owner dedicated to his continued training that will enable them to enjoy this delightful handsome guy.
As always we never make back what we have into an animal and with Duncan that will be true for sure. 

Adoption Fee: $400

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July 2010

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Arrival May 2010

 
Misty
Misty came to MVHR the same way that Duncan did.  The "new" owner backed out after MVHR had picked up the horses that we agreed to transport to Eagle to await pick-up.  This filly also had no training or handling in her 3 years.  Misty was a doll from the moment we took her off the truck.  Although a bit skinny she was very curious and watched everything we did, even trying to help with "poop patrol".  She was easy to halter break and has had her feet trimmed twice with not much concern on her part.  Mostly gets board with having to stand still!!  She just loves the irrigation ditch and being sprayed with the hose.  Misty is about 14 hands and may not get too much bigger so we believe she will be well suited to the smaller adult or experienced young rider.  Misty will need an owner willing to get her saddle trained as we have not had the opportunity to do that yet.  A great project and a super sweet horse to work with.   

Adoption Fee: $400

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Arrival May 18th 2010

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July 2010



 
Cami
This little Mustang mare is a 12 year old that was gathered in 2002 from the Little Brook Cliffs Wild Horse Range just outside of Grand Junction.  We dont know much about her except that she was in with 4 other geldings that were being starved and neglected just outside of Silt.  Mustangs are hearty animals and although a little skinny when she arrived, she quickly bounced back and is just beautiful now.  At only 13.3 hands she is short, but very stocky and well put together.  We are currently evaluating her and she is showing that at some point she had some very nice training.  She has a great forward walk and trot, but resists a bit at the canter. We suspect that she just needs to get in shape again as she can cruise in the field with the herd.  Misty has great feet and stands well for the farrier.  She also self loads into a trailer.  Out on the trail Misty is willing and calm even by herself.  We believe that Misty will be a great trail horse or maybe even a 4-H prospect.  Dont miss your chance to belong to a Mustang!

Adoption Fee: $400

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June 2010

In Recovery:
Saedra
This beautiful mare is 10-12 years old and is around 15.2 hands. Morgan X, or something else? We don't know for sure but we do know that she will take your breath away. Sadly her story began before August 05 when she was saved from the kill buyer at an auction where her previous owner had taken her because she was “crippled”. Her front feet were so overgrown that she could barely walk. A friend from another horse rescue pleaded with the kill buyer to let her buy this mare with the kind although sad eyes. They started working on her feet and her spirit. Saedra had been neglected for so long that she no longer trusted people, and had probably been in pain for quite sometime.

MVHR acquired her in April of 07 and had x-rays done to see what shape the inside of her feet were. The x-rays showed that she had foundered at some point in the past. This could have happened due to the extreme overgrowth and neglect of her hoofs. Special shoes have made her sound and she is now being evaluated to see what training she has had. The vet believes that she will probably ware special shoes for about a year and that he sees no reason why she wouldn't live a comfortable normal life. “Saedra” has taken a great liking to people and greets everyone with a whinny. Trail riding or flat work will probably be best. With that shine we see her in the show ring!! Give this stunning girl a chance and she will steal your heart.

Update August 2010

Saedra has been thru a lot in the last few years and has bounced from doing great to uncomfortable.  In the spring of this year we decided to take a different approach with her.  We are working with a Barefoot specialist that is helping us to "recover" Saedra's natural foot.  Althoug the road hasent always been smooth, we are seeing major improvement in the last two months.  Saedra is wearing "Soft-Ride" boots for comfort (like a sneaker) and her hoof is growing back to look much more normal then it ever has.  It may take some time before we can say she is normal, and perhaps she never will be, but as long as she is comfortable and showing us she has the heart to move forward and heal, we will give her our best shot.  We will be pulling x-rays again in a couple of months and believe that they will show us a healthy hoof with a much better angle of the coffin bone.  Watch here for updated photos and x-rays.  Also check out www.hoofrehab.com to see what we are trying to accomplish.  "Bare is better"!!

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Ace
We were told this horse was once his owners "favorite".  But a bad divorce led to severe neglect and starvation that almost claimed this poor sweet horses life.  Ace is a sweet as they come and at 15.3 hands that makes him a dream to be around.  Upon arrival he was 900lbs, and listed as a 1 on the Henneke Scale, infested with lice, had a bad heart murmor,  and hadn't had hoof care in quite some time.  MVHR was told this horse "did it all" including packing, hunting and roping.  What a way to end up after serving his master so well.  Horses are amazing and Ace is no exception.  Now recovering in a foster home he has put on over 200lbs (having his teeth floated helped), his heart murmor is almost gone, feet trimmed, shots and deworming ongoing and his true spirit is shining thru.  Although we dont think that Ace should go into a "hard working" home, we believe he will be rideable and happy as someone's trail horse.  Keep watching for updates and if you are interested in possibly adopting Ace please contact us as we believe he will be ready soon and would love a new forever home before winter.

Adoption Fee: To be determined.

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Arrival May 2010

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August 20th 2010

 

Romeo
This 8 year old Quarter Horse gelding came to us from the same place as Cami and Ace.  In very poor condition (only 770lbs and also a 1 on the Henneke Scale) Romeo too had lice and his feet were aweful!  His roman nose stood out, but you could tell he was going to be beautiful when we got him healthy and his weight back up.  MVHR was told that Romeo is registerd, and has been ridden, but not finished.  Now in a foster home with Ace he is recovering well and showing just how talented he may be.  Flying lead changes in the paddock, and a game of catch me if you can (and have the patience) show us this horse has spirit and just needs someone to "lead" him.  Romeo is 15.2 hands and looks like he could make a nice Dressage or Jumping prospect. Romeo will available very soon so contact us if you would like to meet this handsome fellow.

Adoption Fee: To be determined.

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Arrival May 29th 2010

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August 20th 2010

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Mountain Valley Horse Rescue
P.O. Box 1681 * Eagle, Colorado * 81631 Phone: (970) 390-6303