Volunteers…The Heart of MVHR

NEW VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

Mountain Valley Horse Rescue could not exist without our dedicated volunteers. Our goal is to provide each volunteer with an experience that connects you to our rescue horses and keeps you coming back. And best of all, no horse experience is needed! MVHR provides introductory and ongoing training to help you develop a variety of horsemanship skills, allowing you to spend time with the horses in a variety of roles based on your interests. We want your experience at MVHR to be meaningful and fulfilling.

Our wonderful volunteers are rallying to sponsor Babe - Want to Call Babe YOUR Horse? Learn More by reading this blog post and donate today on coloradogives.org!

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAYS AND VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Saturday, JANUARY 18, 2025 - 9:30-12:30

Bring your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to our upcoming Community Volunteer Days and Volunteer Training! All ages are welcome and no horse experience is needed. We’ll start the day with a FREE pancake breakfast at 9:30, then we’ll take a tour of the ranch and move into the corrals to scoop poop, fill water troughs, and meet the horses. No need to RSVP, just come on out!

After attending the Volunteer Training, you’ll be able to return to the Rescue as your schedule permits to help with chores and spend time with the horses.

Bring a refillable water bottle, snack/lunch, sunscreen, hat, jacket, gloves, and wear closed-toe shoes that can get dusty and dirty.

THANK YOU to everyone who has participated in our Community Volunteer Days and to those who have already returned to visit the horses and help with chores. If you haven’t had a chance to return yet, we hope to see you soon, and if you would like a refresher or have someone there when you do come back, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to support you on your return to the Rescue.

HOPEFUL HEARTS VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Galloping into 2025 ~ Saturday January 11 ~ 10am-12pm. 

Let MVHR celebrate YOU, our amazing volunteers who make everything that happens at the Ranch possible. Come join us for a light breakfast, volunteer appreciation, Q & A, and a basic grooming and horse safety training for those who would like to eventually participate in Hopeful Hearts. Watch for the next volunteer scoop for more details about this special morning at the ranch - Help us Gallop into another incredible year in 2025! Please RSVP by emailing volunteer@mvhr.net

Click HERE to complete a volunteer application if you haven't already, this will ensure you receive the volunteer scoop email each month.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A FUTURE HOPEFUL HEARTS TRAINING? Please contact us at volunteer@mvhr.net

Through our Hopeful Hearts Program, volunteers who have completed 10 or more hours at the Rescue will have the opportunity to be trained to catch, halter, lead and groom our Rescue horses. You will be matched with your own Rescue horse that you will help along their Journey of Hope to a forever adoptive home. Based on your experience and skills, you will be able to independently work with that horse whenever you come to the Rescue, or join us for our scheduled Community Volunteer Days when a staff member will be on hand to assist you. It is our hope that you will be able to spend at least 4 hours per month with your Hopeful Hearts horse. (Not sure how many hours you’ve volunteered? Email us at volunteer@mvhr.net and we’ll let you know.)

VOLUNTEER FAQ’S (Frequenlty asked questions)

• When is the Rescue “open” for me to come out and volunteer?
  Once you have completed your Volunteer Training, you are welcome to come during daylight hours on any day.

• How do I get into the gate?

  When you approach the gate to enter, pull up next to the keypad on your right. Enter the code as instructed there. When leaving the Rescue, pull up slowly and allow enough room for the gate to automatically open towards you.

• Can I feed the horses treats (carrots, apples, etc.)?

  Please do not feed treats to the horses as many members of our rescue herd have dietary restrictions related to their recovery and/or training. We ask that you show them your love through kind words and gentle scratches rather than with food.

• How do I scoop poop in the winter?

  Scooping frozen poop is difficult and can result in broken rakes, so just focus on the shelters of each corral when you come out. Be careful to only fill buckets half full as they can be very heavy when frozen. Lift with your legs!! :)

• How do I know how many hours I have volunteered in order to qualify for Volunteer incentives and advanced training?

  We keep track of each volunteer’s hours based on you signing in and out on the computer, so just send us an email at volunteer@mvhr.net and we’ll let you know your current totals.

• What should I do when I come out to Volunteer?

  The primary needs are mucking corrals, filling water troughs, and spending time with the horses. Additionally, we ask that you do horse checks and facility checks and let a staff member know if you encounter anything that looks concerning. Sweeping of the ICU barn and Robin’s Nest is always helpful. Not sure what else needs to be done? Just ask a staff member!

Once you’ve attended a Volunteer Orientation, come on up anytime between 9 am and 6 pm to pitch in with any of these chores. Drop-ins are welcome, but if you know ahead of time and would like to be added to the schedule, email us at volunteer@mvhr.net. Here are some fun ways you can volunteer at the Rescue:

Corral Catering - Water needs to be topped off throughout the day, and the horses will love you for it!

Manure Meditations - What more valuable way to spend time than putting a corner of the world to rights, and all for the horses?! There's always plenty of manure to go around, and whether you scoop one corral or five, every single pile picked up helps the horses stay happy and healthy....and you too;)!

Once you’ve volunteered 10+ hours, you are ready to help with:

Grooming Gurus - For those who can’t wait to get in there and curry and comb and get all the dirt and tangles out! Grooming helps improve the health of each and every horse, and this is a great way to get to know the herd!

Tuesday Tech - Both the vet and the farrier are at the ranch on Tuesdays, and that makes for a busy day when we could use extra hands to help handle horses! You can learn to be a "Tech" and assist with catching and holding horses while they have their vet and farrier treatments, and even help with any ongoing treatments they may need on other days of the week.

OTHER WAYS TO VOLUNTEER!

• Maintenance Assistants - the ranch, facilities, and equipment are always in need of maintenance,  repairs, and improvements.  Lend a hand to our Director of Maintenance in keeping everything running smoothly!

• Program Assistants - help program staff introduce groups who visit the rescue to horses, chores, the work that MVHR does and the reasons behind it!

• Special Events - spread the word about MVHR and act as an ambassador for the horses at events at the ranch and in the community.

• Administrative Help - filing, data entry, editing, design, and communications (most could be done from home!) 

• Fundraising and Development - helping MVHR continue to help horses by garnering financial support from our communities.

Volunteer Appreciation Program

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our Volunteer Appreciation Program provides exclusive perks and programs just for our Volunteers as a way to express our appreciation. As you volunteer hours and work your way up the Volunteer Milestones ladder, we’ll show our gratitude with special gifts including MVHR Volunteer t-shirts, gift certificates for MVHR gear, your name on our Volunteer Honor Plaque, and more.  If you choose to participate in our Hopeful Hearts Program, you will have the opportunity to be matched with a Rescue horse that you will nurture and work with on their Journey of Hope to help move them toward adoption.  As a Pass It On Partner, you will receive a very special gift each time you bring a friend to the Rescue who completes volunteer orientation and volunteers 10+ hours.

VOLUNTEER TIPS:

• Be prepared for changing weather and the mud and dirt that come with a horse ranch.

• Bring a jacket, hat, sunscreen, refillable water bottle, and snacks.

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, and clothes that can get dirty.

• Be ready for a fun and fulfilling day with the horses!

We would like to thank the Herota Family for
generously sponsoring our Volunteer Program.