Velia Sparrow

Velia’s relationship with horses began at age seven, in the stirrups of a hunter jumper saddle. Her zest for equestrianism carried her through nearly every barn in Boulder County and beyond, as she sought out new horses, new mentors, and new ways of understanding these animals. From 2017 to 2020, she found herself on the other side of the arena at Medicine Horse, where equine therapy gave her a refreshing new way to look at these magnificent animals, beyond conventional ways. That experience planted the seed for a career built on empathy rather than dominance and fear, and today she's a passionate advocate for force-free handling, working to help horses feel safe, understood, and respected as the fully autonomous beings they are, rather than sports equipment.

At the end of 2023, Velia finally took the leap her heart had been urging her toward for years and got a horse of her own. Windigo, a young quarter horse mare, is “the light of [Velia’s] life.” But during her tough filly-hood, Windigo ended up with a plethora of physical challenges, and Velia quickly found herself searching for anything that might ease her best friend’s discomfort. What began as a mission to help just one horse—her horse—became a genuine calling. Velia is currently pursuing a certification in equine massage with Windigo as her sole motivation, but what she discovered along the way was a gift she couldn't keep to herself. Velia now hopes to start her own equine massage business, and bring relief to every horse she can get her hands on.