GRAND JUNCTION — A deaf horse under the care of Grand Valley Horse Rescue has achieved first place in a junior course at the International Horse Agility Club's recent summer of sports competition. Renata, with her handler Remy, secured the win by responding to hand signals, a method implemented after rescue staff discovered her inability to hear.
Renata first arrived at Grand Valley Horse Rescue in 2022. After being adopted by a family, she returned to the rescue in July 2025 because she was having difficulty understanding her training sessions. It was during this period that staff observed her lack of response to typical voice commands.
Shelle deVergie, director of Grand Valley Horse Rescue, described the realization: “When you’re really used to communicating with horses with voice commands and you’re standing really close to a horse and you’re clicking and the horse is looking and not paying any attention, it’s like, I don’t think she can hear you.” To confirm their suspicions, staff conducted a simple test. They rang a bell for other horses, Willow and Tony, who both responded by looking at it. When the bell was rung for Renata, she “didn’t even pay any attention,” deVergie said.
Following the discovery of her deafness, the rescue team adapted Renata’s training to incorporate hand signals. Instead of voice commands or clicks, she now learns and responds to visual cues. Kenzie Thom, who also competes with Grand Valley Horse Rescue, explained some of these signals. For instance, a hand raised in front of Renata’s face indicates a stop command, and pointing forward signifies she should move ahead.
This specialized training has made a significant difference in Renata’s progress. Thom noted that once the team began using signals or sign language for her, “she started going crazy with learning and she did very well.” DeVergie added that observing Renata and Remy’s journey over the past year has been remarkable, highlighting their increased confidence and improved communication with each other. The agility competitions, deVergie emphasized, are valuable for teaching horses strong ground manners, which is crucial for animals that children will interact with, while also allowing both horses and handlers to learn new skills.
The Grand Valley Horse Rescue continues its operations through community support and is currently seeking donations to maintain its services. The organization provides care and training for horses like Renata, preparing them for adoption and helping them thrive.