Why give?
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue operates out of our 114-acre ranch, located between Vail and Steamboat Springs. We are one of the only horse rescues on the Western Slope of Colorado and our services are provided wherever a horse is in need. We rely on volunteers, foster homes, donations, and sponsorships to provide for these horses.
Horse rescues do not receive any federal funding, and it costs approximately $6,000 per year for the basic care of one horse (not including luxuries like winter blankets or training). With every dollar we raise, the lives of horses are saved and their futures secured, because of caring people like you.
Hopeful Hearts....Helping Horses.
Annual Giving
RESCUE HEROES - $10,000/YEAR
Our Rescue Heroes provide broad-reaching support for the day-to-day needs and activities of the ranch. Rescue Heroes ensure that MVHR is always moving forward with its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home every horse in need.
EQUINE ADVOCATES – $6,000/YEAR
Equine Advocates assume the cost of care for one horse on property. Each underwriter is matched with a horse, and his or her name is listed on a plaque of the stall for that horse. We provide updates on the care and status of your horse and encourage you to visit the ranch to meet the beneficiary of your support.
WRANGLERS - $2,500/YEAR
Wranglers provide the support for our team to be engaged in the community, providing for MVHR’s outreach and education programs. The education programs allow hundreds of local community members to learn about the care of the horses, and how to help them, when needed.
RANCH HANDS - $1,000/YEAR
Ranch hands provide the basics of care for our horses: hay, feed, halters and other essentials that all horses need to thrive.
STABLE MATES - $500/YEAR
Stable Mates support our volunteers, which are the lifeblood of MVHR. We depend on the kindness of our volunteers to muck out stalls, water and walk the horses and provide plenty of love to them. We have more than 100 active volunteers today but are in need of constant outreach and training to expand our reach and ability to care for more horses.
PONY PALS - $1-$499
Every dollar given to MVHR is needed, helpful and put to use to provide care to our horses in residence. We thank you for your kindness!
Donations to the Endowment Fund via check can be made out to: “YVCF - the MVHR Endowment Fund” and mailed to: Yampa Valley Community Foundation - P.O. Box 881869, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue Endowment Fund
Join us in Funding a safe place for equines in need for generations to come
All horses at MVHR are loved and cared for throughout their lives with a safe place to return any time it is needed, even after adoption. Please join us in making this safe place and a safe future for horses possible. Your contribution to the MVHR Endowment Fund provides support for horses today, tomorrow and beyond, truly ensuring all MVHR horses have the care and love they need throughout their lives and for generations to come.
The relationships that MVHR has built with financial institutions will ensure that your asset will appreciate over the long-term to help MVHR continue to expand its ability to help horses in need. Every donation directly impacts the furthering of MVHR’s mission and the well-being of horses in general. Through legacy giving you can be a part of making an everlasting difference in the lives of rescue equines long into the future. Lend your Hopeful Heart to Helping Horses by making a legacy gift to MVHR today!
MVHR Endowment Fund is established at the Yampa Valley Community Foundation. For more information or questions, please contact us.
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue Brokerage Account - with Edward Jones
Help Horses by Donating Stock to MVHR's Brokerage Account. Did you know MVHR has a brokerage account you can donate stock to? This is an easy way to make your gift to the horses! Donating Stocks offers benefits for both you and MVHR. We are so grateful for the donors that already did! Our account is with Edward Jones. You can contact any Edward Jones Advisor and they will assist you in making this donation. Should you need more information contact your broker or contact us.
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue Capital Campaign
We were blessed in 2015 to receive a gift of $1 million from the Harold W. & Mary Louise Shaw Foundation to purchase the ranch our horses now call home. Several private donors between 2016-2019 provided funds to build fencing, corrals and shelters through the ongoing capital campaign.
In 2020 the Rhea Bigelow Charitable Fund chose MVHR to fund & build the Rhea Bigelow Legacy Barn. This new training facility was officially opened on Hay Day, Sept 2023 and has made a huge impact already to our horses, programs and people.
In 2022, we started the remodel of the original barn to Horse ICU & Quarantine Barn thanks to support from the Harold W. & Mary Louise Shaw Foundation. It was completed in 2024 and we now have 8 quarantine stalls with runs, heating and much needed upgraded electric.
The ranch continues to need improvements, with the next project planned additional hay storage. As the rescue herd has swelled from 11 horses in 2016 to at times 33 horses, we are in need of more covered hay storage to ensure bales stay dry through the winter. Other improvements to provide for the horses into the future, including employee housing, irrigation enhancements, improved outdoor arenas, additional corrals and fencing. Please click here to learn about our campaign and giving opportunities, or contact us.
MVHR Gift Acceptance Policy
MVHR accepts gifts in many forms, including but not limited to: cash, stocks, bonds, vehicles, property, tack, equipment, ranch and horse care supplies.
However, at times, gifts may not be in alignment with the needs of the organization, and to that end MVHR has established the following instances in which gifts may be refused.
MVHR WILL NOT ACCEPT GIFTS THAT:
Are inconsistent with the Organization’s mission, values, or ethical standards.
Are likely to generate adverse publicity for the Organization.
Are likely to adversely impact the Organization’s reputation or relationship with community partners.
Would prevent or impede the Organization from seeking other gifts.
Involve discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, color, disability, or any other bases prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or otherwise violate applicable federal or state law.
For any other reason if the Organization determines that accepting the gift is not in its best interests.