Copper - Abused pony finds his human at Grand Valley Horse Rescue

Five months after Copper arrived at the Grand Valley Horse Rescue (GVHR) boarding and training facility on H Road, the bronze-coated pony finally let someone place a halter on his head. It was a breakthrough for an animal who was wary and hard to manage after years of abuse by his original owners.

Copper, a Galiceño/Haflinger mix, was purchased from a kill pen in Kansas, where he awaited slaughter after no one bid for him at auction. The last-minute buyer called GVHR director Shelle deVergie, affectionately known as Memaw, to ask if she could train a 4-year-old feral stallion pony. When Copper arrived at the Grand Junction rescue in October 2023, deVergie discovered he was a gelding and bore physical scars and deeper emotional wounds.

Copper frightened easily around people, so volunteers were advised to make a path for him between the barn and the outdoor paddocks.

That began to change after a year, when Copper let a young Fruita girl named Harper Binam walk past him without spooking. That told Memaw that Copper had found a person he trusted. “Horses pick the kids,” she said.

Harper, now a 10-year-old fifth grader, had never expressed an interest in horses until she got a chance to ride Simon, a 33-year-old GVHR quarter horse, at the 2024 Fruita Fall Festival. “I felt like I was on top of the world,” she said.

Harper entered the organization’s entry-level program, where she learned the basics of horsemanship, including how to train, gentle and care for special-needs equines.

Once Copper warmed to her, Harper started grooming the pony, then working with him in the exercise pen. Copper’s physical abilities are limited by an upward fixation of the patella in his left rear leg, but that hasn’t hindered his accomplishments in The International Horse Agility Club competitions.

GVHR handlers compete with teams around the world under the auspices of the International Horse Agility Club. Most recently, Copper and Harper earned sixth-place ribbons in the adult agility competition and third place in juniors. They placed 3rd against the adults in the December 2025 competition.

It’s not just the horses that benefit from the interactions with their young handlers. “At school I’ve been calmer, Harper said. “I’ve been paying attention more than I ever have. I’m more patient.”

Her interactions with peers have improved from her work with damaged horses, Harper said.

“This is the biggest gift forever,” said Harper’s mom, Tessa Binam. “We always wanted something she would love to do. She just connected with Copper. During the summer, she was here every day.”

Copper still won’t walk past other people on his way to the barn, and he trusts no one the way he does Harper. He’s learning not to be so reactive around cowboy boots and men, though it can take years for a mistreated animal to begin to trust humans.

While Harper works with other horses at the property, “Copper,” she said, “is mine.”

Things That Make Copper So Special

By Harper Binam

Copper is the cutest horse I have ever met. He’s brown and white, but in the sunshine, he is a bunch of different browns. He’s also so gentle and fun, he loves to roll in the round pen, and when he starts to canter, he kicks up his back legs and looks like he’s having the best time. Copper loves watermelon, peaches, apples, and homemade treats.

Copper came to the rescue after being really badly abused. He was really skittish and scared of everyone and everything. He has come so far since then, especially with me in his life. Copper trusts me to the ends of the world. He picked me to love and to be his girl, one who takes care of him. When Copper and I started working together this summer, I couldn’t halter him, groom him, lead him into the round pen, walk on his right side, scratch his forehead, or touch his ears. Now I can do all of those things! Sometimes he still gets scared and worried, especially around new people or when people move too fast. It helps when I am there, though, because he knows I won’t hurt him, and I know he won’t hurt me, so even when I worry about things, I come and spend time with Copper, and we help each other feel better. We make a great team.

We compete in online agility courses every month, and we both work hard together. Trust is important between us, especially when there's something scary for Copper on the course! I love that we get to compete together! Copper is the perfect size horse for me; it’s like we were made for each other! We have a lot of growing and learning to do together. We've just started saddle pad training, so I can ride Copper someday; that’s when we will really be unstoppable!

On top of being the best horse I could ever ask for, we just learned that Copper is a very rare horse! He is a mix of Halflinger, Garrano, and Galiceño. Garrano horse populations are roughly around 3,000, while Galiceño horse populations are less than 100 and are listed as critically endangered. All three horse breeds are smaller, highly intelligent, and make great family horses. While that is really special, he would be really special to me even without knowing that. I love working with Copper, and I hope that Copper and I get to stay together forever.

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