Rescue horses ride by and transform Valentine's Day for a teenager

The day of love represents the bond and partnership between everyone, including between a young horse lover and a rescued horse named Blue.

Sienna Goldau has been riding Blue since last summer at EPIC Stables in Foothills County.

She says it was his personality that attracted her to him, and in the time they spent together, she found a friend for life.

“I love taking him home with me for a while and letting him be free,” she said.

Blue was purchased by Natalie Kowalenki and her friend Katie Rochon at auction in 2020 for $550.

They saved Blue from slaughter and he showed signs of abuse and unbrokenness before he was deeply loved.

“He was also terribly afraid of people and of horse harness and saddle and of everything that was coming towards him,” said Kowalenko.

“This shows us that he was not really treated well in his early years.”

“He has made really great progress in three years,” Rochon said.

“It took a lot of love, hard work and patience.”

On Valentine's Day, the two ladies gave Blue Sienna after giving him a bath.

“I was very shocked, very happy,” said an emotional Sienna.

Rochon and Kowalenko want to make it clear to others that horses should not be given up just because they may be injured or mistreated – especially if they are destined for slaughter.

“(I) never thought I would ever be able to own it.”

Goldau says it was a dream come true and one of the best Valentine's Day gifts she has ever received.

“Much better than flowers,” she joked.

Although emotional, Rochon and Kowalenko both say the bond that developed between Sienna and Blue couldn't be ignored.

“This is pretty much the best thing we could have hoped for Blue because he has a little girl who loves him,” Rochon said.

“I think we couldn’t be prouder that he can now lead a little 13-year-old safely and beautifully around the course,” said Kowalenko.

Blue was purchased by Natalie Kowalenki and her friend Katie Rochon at auction in 2020 for $550.

“And they are such a wonderful partnership.”

Rochon and Kowalenko want to make it clear to others that horses should not be given up just because they may be injured or mistreated – especially if they are destined for slaughter.

Horse meat is big business in Canada.

“There are horses that need people to speak for them, and you can be their voice,” Rochon said.