Interview with Elite Equine CEO: Emphasizing Successes over Challenges

In the heart of Colorado Springs, CO, lies Elite Equine CO – a unique facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and rehoming of performance horses. The story of this equine haven began with Gina Hluska, a passionate horse lover with a career spanning various equine industries.

Gina's journey started as a young rider, competitor, and trainer. Her love for horses led her to work as an assistant trainer for Thoroughbreds and later as a veterinary assistant at a racetrack. As she delved deeper into the world of equine care, Gina recognised the importance of rehabilitative and supportive veterinary care.

In 2007, Elite Equine Rehab was born, offering non-invasive modalities for rehabilitating injured performance horses. One such case involved a 1.49m jumper Zangersheide gelding suffering from lameness in the right front. After a comprehensive treatment plan that included PEMF, laser, kinesiology, and a proprietary herbal anti-inflammatory supplement, the gelding made a full recovery and was re-homed to a family who competes successfully with him.

Over the years, Elite Equine Rehab expanded to include Elite Equine CO, offering in-house supportive veterinary care and rehabilitation for performance horses. The facility takes in horses on a surrender basis, primarily through word-of-mouth referrals.

Once horses have completed the rehab process, they are placed in an assessment and retraining program before being made available for adoption. Interested adopters can find available horses on the Elite Equine website and social media platforms.

Gina's belief in the resilience of performance horses is evident in her work. She firmly believes that with proper care, these horses can heal from injuries and achieve even greater success in their new careers. In her efforts to support this mission, Gina has reached out to various animal welfare organisations and equine rescue foundations in the past to secure financial support for the rehabilitation of injured horses.

Elite Equine Rescue was officially recognised as a 501c3 Non-profit organisation by the IRS in the Spring of 2018. While payments for services at the rehab facility are not tax-deductible unless they exceed the fair market value of the services received, the organisation relies heavily on donations and community support to continue its vital work.

Photographs for the blog post were kindly provided by Wendy Collison. As Elite Equine CO continues to grow and make a difference in the lives of performance horses, it stands as a testament to Gina Hluska's unwavering dedication and passion for equine welfare.