Goals

• To educate horse-owners and the public about proper equine care, and the problems of neglect and abuse.

• To rescue equines from neglectful and abusive situations by educating owners, helping to place at-risk equines and ultimately working within the bounds of the law to remove equines from their owner’s care when deemed necessary.

• To provide gelding for unwanted stallions until they can be placed in an adoptive home.

• To rehabilitate sick, injured and underweight equines and restore them to a state of health.

• To end the suffering of those equines which cannot be rehabilitated by means of humane euthanasia.

• To find all equines that come under the care of CVHR a compatible, loving home.

Programs:

Equine Rescue

Our primary goal is to rescue abused, neglected, starving  and unwanted horses whether those horses come in from owner surrenders, animal control cases or auctions.   These horses will receive the food, training and veterinary care needed to facilitate their recovery.  Once the horses have regained their health they are made evaluated and made available for adoption to approved homes.

The economic situation has meant that there are more horses being sold and fewer people buying them.  This has made it almost impossible to find homes for horses that are in danger.  These horses are being abandoned, given away or sold at auction.  CVHR will provide a temporary home for these horses until a safe and loving adoptive home can be found.

Youth Outreach

At Central Virginia Horse Rescue (CVHR), we recognize the vital importance of engaging and educating the next generation about horse care and welfare. Our Youth Outreach program is central to our mission, emphasizing that young people are the future stewards of our industry. We are committed to nurturing their understanding and passion for equine welfare through a variety of educational initiatives. CVHR regularly hosts youth groups for educational visits, providing a hands-on learning experience that covers the basics of horse care, management, and the ethical treatment of animals. We also offer youth educational clinics that delve deeper into specific aspects of equine care and management. Additionally, we provide opportunities for youth of all ages to volunteer at our facilities, giving them a firsthand look at what it takes to run a rescue and the satisfaction of contributing to the wellbeing of our horses. These experiences are designed not only to educate but also to inspire a lifelong commitment to animal welfare and conservation.

Public Education

At Central Virginia Horse Rescue (CVHR), we believe that education is the cornerstone for improving the lives of equines and ensuring their proper care and welfare in the long term. Through our Public Education Program, CVHR staff and volunteers dedicate themselves to providing invaluable educational opportunities to individuals and groups within our community. Our initiatives include a diverse array of activities such as clinics that offer deeper insights into equine health and management, guided tours that demonstrate our day-to-day operations and the care processes for our horses, and structured volunteer hours that allow participants to gain hands-on experience.

Adding a robust layer to our educational outreach, our Executive Director has authored two educational books aimed at enriching public knowledge and fostering a greater understanding of equine care. These efforts are all geared toward empowering our community with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions that positively impact the welfare of horses. At CVHR, we are committed to leveraging education as a powerful tool to bring about lasting change in the equine industry.