Community Horse Programs 

The Mountain Valley Horse Rescue offers developmentally appropriate, horse-focused programs throughout the year for preschool through high school students. All programs focus on developing a participant’s sense of H.O.P.E. (Heart, Opportunity, Perseverance and Empathy). These values are reinforced through a variety of engaging activities centered around caring for and understanding our equines. Besides groups, we offer one-on-one programs, birthday parties and team building by appointment. Volunteer and tour opportunities for adults and groups are also available year-round, by appointment. Please contact programs@mvhr.net for more information.  

MVHR’s Community Horse Programs are in part made possible by DJ & Johanna Jensen with DJensen Electric. Thanks to our Program sponsors, we can offer all children the opportunity to be with the horses and participate in our day camps, school and homeschool programs.

2025 MVHR School Group Programs are made possible in part by Alan-Bradley Windows & Doors. Thank you for supporting children being outside with horses!

Horse Heroes Homeschool Fall 2025 - Routt County Edition!

We are excited to bring the Horse Heroes Homeschool program for Fall 2025 to Homeschool Students in Routt County! This is a 4 session program Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10. This Fall session will be offered with transportation from Yampa, however it is open to all Homeschoolers. 

The Homeschool program is a Horsemanship program of 4 sessions focusing on Horse Behavior & Body Language, Nutrition & Horse Health, Horse Breeds & Colors and Basic Groundwork & Liberty Techniques. Each session builds upon the children's skills where by the end of the program, they have more confidence with, and knowledge of horses. It is important the child can participate in all 4 days.

Who: This awesome program is open to children 7 years and older or at 2nd grade reading/writing level and with a genuine interest in horses and learning all there is to know about them! Is this your kiddo? Sign them up! 

When: 4 Fridays

MVHR will provide transportation to the ranch in McCoy! We pick up the kids at 9:30am in Yampa. They are dropped off at 2:30pm. If you'd like to bring your child to the ranch, this is possible and they should be onsite no later then 10am, pick up is at 2pm.

Cost: $170.00 per session ($42.50 per day(4 weeks)) - includes transportation from Yampa.

Payment for the program is due in full at time of registration and is nonrefundable. There is a limited amount of spots in this popular program. We do have scholarship dollars available for those that need help so that their kid can experience this program.

MVHR Summer Day Camps 2025 - Thank you for an Amazing Summer!

MVHR staff had a blast this summer with your kids, and can’t wait for next year. Thank you to all who came and helped the horses, learned a lot and can now call themselves a Horse Hero!

Horse Day Camp Curricula examples

Horse Heroes Day Camp

Kids learn all about horses and what it means to care for them through service & grooming. We learn to lead & halter a horse, work on confidence, teamwork & perseverance. The day includes horse crafts and games. This camp is the perfect introduction to horses and a fun day spent outside at the ranch. Horse Heroes Day Camp costs $60 per day per child. Horse Heroes Day Camp this year is available for 6 years old and up (starting first grade fall 2025)

Horse Glamour Day Camp

We do a special groom on the horses until they sparkle & shine (there might be some glitter and ribbons involved!) Get to know the horses through service & grooming. Lots of hands on time with the horses. We finish with a parade & a fun glamour horse craft. Glamour camp is for ages 6 (starting first grade fall 2025) & up and perfect for those wanting to love on & cuddle horses plus a fun day spent outside at the ranch. Horse Glamour Day Camp costs $70 per day per child.

H.O.P.E. Day Camp

Advance your horse skills and learn groundwork & liberty with horses. Campers develop communication and leadership skills as they work with the horses, reading body language of the horses as well as their own. Campers learn how to communicate effectively first by watching and listening to the quiet communication of the horses. We learn about groundwork and get introduced to liberty work with the horse. H.O.P.E. Day Camp costs $85 per day per child - open to 6 (starting first grade fall 2025) and up.

MVHR Program Scholarships

2025 Summer Day Camp Scholarships are made possible by Vail Health!

Thank you Vail Health for your support in 2025, giving children access to horses!

Any questions please email programs@mvhr.net

Our H.O.P.E. acronym stands for Heart, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Empathy. MVHR’s HOPE curriculum will help campers develop communication and leadership techniques as they work with the horses.

This program includes the development of horsemanship skills through the use of Groundwork; (where the horses are asked to trust and follow campers through challenging situations or obstacles while on a lead), Liberty; (where campers learn to be trustworthy, compassionate leaders, in this rotation horses have the opportunity to leave if they feel too much pressure as they are not on lead rope) and Stewardship & Service; (a chance for campers to learn about and help provide the basic needs of the horses).

MVHR Lesson Programs

little horse friends lessons

We are excited to offer a horseback riding lesson program for children aged 4-8 ! In this lesson program children will work on natural balance, core strength, confidence & multi-tasking skills. A perfect program for those that have participated in our mini horse heroes program before.

The lesson starts with a brush experience where we go over safety around a horse and how to read the horse’s behavior so the child gains confidence by learning about the horse before getting on their back. Horseback riding lessons are more than how to sit on the horse and this lesson encompasses what it takes to be a horse person. This lesson is given on the lead line, where the instructor will help the child step-by-step to get comfortable, focus and gain confidence. Kids will learn exercises to prepare them for further skills required to ride on their own. Upper body strength is developed along with a growing appreciation of respect, patience, and gentleness.

horsemanship riding lessons

We're excited to share that lessons will be starting back up this fall!  Marissa, our Program Coordinator, brings a lifetime of horse experience and knowledge to the arena, and a passion for sharing all that she knows in a fun and educational manner.  

Lessons will be one hour (60 minutes) in length, and will begin with the basics of catching, haltering, and tacking your horse, with time spent in saddle increasing as the on the ground skills are mastered and eventually handled independently before your lesson time. To start, lessons will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Priority will be given to those who commit to at least 4 weekly lessons, as we have found that as with any skill or sport, practicing regularly is the best way to grow skills and experience.

Lessons will be available to those age 7 and up, as follows:

Private Lessons  $80 per lesson

Group Lesson with 2 people (you build your own group of 2 friends/family of similar abilities) $65 per person per lesson

Little Horse Friends Lessons for those 6 and under; 30 minute private lunge line lessons are available for $40/child per lesson, these are based on availability.

 Lessons once scheduled, are paid for in advance online. If you have interest, please email info@mvhr.net as soon as possible, as spaces are limited and will fill up quickly.

School Programs

Mountain Valley Horse Rescue offers whole classes the opportunity to come out to the ranch!
Groups work on communication, teamwork and leadership as they interact with our rescue horses in a variety of settings including learning how to lead horses in the round pen. Class visits include four rotations throughout the day- round pen work, service, scavenger hunt/team building initiative and craft.

• H.O.P.E.  School Program — During this full day program, students learn about our H.O.P.E. values as they rotate through four stations that include equine stewardship and service, groundwork, a craft, and team building. MVHR staff may visit the class prior to their ranch day to provide background information about the rescue and to prep students for what they will need for a successful day at the ranch. 

• Horses Through Colorado History — A full-day program for 4th graders. Students will learn about the vital role equines have played throughout Colorado history. The program content directly connects to 4th grade history state standards while incorporating our H.O.P.E. values. MVHR staff may visit the class prior to their ranch day to provide background information about the rescue and to prep students for what they will need for a successful day at the ranch. 

• Service Groups
  If a full day program does not fit within your class schedule, contact us for a variety of service opportunities for groups at the rescue. Students will still have the opportunity to get to know our horses and will develop relationships with the horse of their choice as they complete service projects around the ranch.

Special Opportunities to visit MVHR

Family Tour  — Available by appointment, an opportunity to visit our facility,  meet our horses and hear their stories. You will also get an opportunity to lead and groom one of the horses, and spend time with them up-close learning. This is experience is best for a group no larger than 8 adults/children. Cost is based on groups size, ages and time spend with the horses. Have a larger family? We just need a bit more heads up to ensure staff is ready, and can schedule groups for up to 50 people.

Ranch Tour — Everyone is welcome for a regular tour of the ranch, and greet the horses over the fence. Appointments are available every day between 10am-4pm, with a few days notice, so we can ensure one of our staff members is available to greet you and show you around.

Birthday Party — A time for young equine enthusiasts to come and celebrate with some of our amazing horses. Available ages 3 and up. Depending on the age and size of group, we offer grooming, a scavenger hunt, an opportunity to lead horses through an obstacle course and finished with a pony ride. Possible sighting and a ride on a Unicorn ;). Contact programs@mvhr.net to check availability and schedule your birthday party!