Two timid, unhandled fillies are currently being cared for in the Cochrane area to prepare them for return to the Bear Valley Rescue.

Fresca and Melo were among six saved by the rescue in March and arrived in a gaunt state. Four remain at the rescue, located about 45 minutes northwest of Cochrane. The other two were a little more difficult, and were brought here in July to help them overcome their trauma.

Bear Valley Rescue has been saving horses since 2003, and for the last 10 years has consistently had 160 horses in their care. 

In 2015, it became the first Canadian equine rescue verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

Many of their first "tenants"  were rescued from the pregnant mare urine industry and purchased at auctions to saved them from slaughter. 

"As we've become more well known, we're focusing on trying to keep horses out of auctions in the first place, because they have such a high risk of going to slaughter," explains president Kathy Bartley.

"A lot of horses now come from owner surrenders, people that are having problems that need to surrender their horses."

"We have so many people asking us to help," says Bartley.  "If one goes out, another comes in."

Helping to make it possible are those lending a hand by providing pasture, financial support, or their time.

Dani Hurtado is from Edmonton and has been a volunteer at the rescue for the last two months. 

Right now, she tends to 20 to 25 horses at the rescue.

"A lot of the ones that come require medical attention, so we provide all of that, and we try and get them handled through a process of reinforcement, which has been working really well."

"A group of 30 ponies came in, and none of them were handled. Now they're almost halter broke."

She says how well they respond depends upon how much trauma they've faced before arriving at the rescue.

It was Sarah Leete, who arranged for Fresca and Melo to come to the Cochrane area, with the help of a kindly rancher. She works with the fillies regularly, with the assistance of Lorna O'Shea.

"At first, you couldn't get near them to even put a halter on," she says.

Leete says the pair are rising threes, are likely half-sisters, and have good conformation

It takes time for the horses to become trusting of their keepers, but each day progress is being made with the pair, more so with Fresca at this point. Being able to halter the horse is one of the first steps, and many others follow.

Some of the six horses rescued have already found new homes. It's hoped that will be the case with this pair.

The rescue's adoption program matches up families with horses. 

Not all do, however. Many permanent residents live out their lives at the rescue due to age, health, or personality issues.

A sponsorship program helps to keep them fed, healthy, and sheltered. Bartley says they currently have between 70 and 80 sponsorships.

They also have a network of foster homes where others help care for the horses. 

The Bear Valley Rescue held a successful Tack and Yard Sale on Aug. 14, raising $3,700 towards their fall hay fund. It's being held at a time when the price of hay has skyrocketed.

"The price has almost doubled, and every year it just seems to be a question of what the price is going to be like," says Bartley.  "It went down last year to almost a normal price. The year before that it was higher, and the year before that it was ridiculous. So you're always worried about how much you'll be paying, and how much you can get."

She says they appreciate the support from so many, and no matter how big or small, every contribution makes a difference.

The rescue is located northwest of Cremona, about 45 minutes from Cochrane, on Range Rd. 60 in Mountain View County.

For more information on their adoption, fostering, and sponsoring programs, click here.