Our Horses

What is
Network for Good?

What is GoodSearch?

2) To educate the public on the welfare of hooved animals.

Save the Date!
6th Annual MHARF Garage Sale
June 14 - 16, 2012

We are currently accepting donations of all household items and tack (excluding electronics) until Tuesday, June 12th.

Garage sale set up will be Tuesday & Wednesday June 12th & 13th, and the garage sale iteself will be held Thursday - Saturday June 14 - 16 - from 9:00am - 5:00pm each day at the Princeton Civic Center - 503 9th Street N., Princeton, MN 55371.

Any unsold items will, once again, be donated to other local charities that can utilize them.

To donate or volunteer, please contact:
Deb Farm at 763-856-4475 or dfarm@sherbtel.net
Deb Anderson at 763-389-9185 or darkanderson1960@yahoo.com
Drew Fitzpatrick at 763-856-3119 or drew@mnhoovedanimalrescue.org

Trainers Challenge Blogs Are Ready!

The early bird Trainers have begun picking up their equine students to start their training for this years Challenge!

That means that th blog pages have been set up, and the students and their trainers are now being listed on the Trainers Challenge page of our website. Click here to view the current assignments, and link to the blogs. Not all trainers and horses are currently listed, so please keep watching for additional updates.

PRIZE UPDATE:

Due to the generosity of a local business - Cinch Chix, Inc. - a MN Based livestock haynect company. The total prize money to be given out at the 2012 Trainers Challenge has now reached a record high of $9,000 - with $4,500 going to First place, $2,500 to Second place, and $400 to the winner of each of the five classes.

WANTED:
Trainers for the 2012 Challenge

What is a sure sign that Spring is coming? Birds flying north? Days getting longer? Mares getting cranky as they come into season? Mud, and lots of it? While much of that is true, our sign of Spring arriving is the annual call for Trainers for the 2012 Challenge of the Unwanted Horse (aka Trainers Challenge).

Mark your calendar, or put an appointment on MS Outlook for you computer savvy folks! This year's challenge will take place on August 25, 2012 at the U of MN Leatherdale Equine Center.

For trainers, click here to download this year's application. The deadline for getting in your application for consideration for the Challenge is May 1, 2012. However, if you submit your application by April 1st and you will be able to pick your horse up on April 15th - call it an early bird special!

Given this is our fifth year of Challenges, we will be celebrating with more prize money across the board and half time show where the U of MN will show off the formal education that Desi, a student of the 2011 Trainers Challenge, received from spending a year going to college at he U of MN. At the end of the Challenge, Desi will also be up for adoption along with all of the horses that participate in the Challenge.

For more information, or to keep an eye out as the trainers and their students are paired up and assigned blog pages, please click the image at the top of the page where Bassant is leaping for joy at the thought of the coming Challenge, or click here.

The Humane Society of the United States Threatens Suit Against USDA if Court Order Not Followed Before Horse Slaughter Resumes 

WASHINGTON (Feb. 3, 2012) – The Humane Society of the United States cautioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a letter that the agency must comply with a 2007 ruling from the D.C. District Court prior to resuming the inspection of horse slaughter facilities—a crucial matter because such inspections could open the way to new horse slaughter plants in the U.S. The HSUS warned that it will consider taking aggressive legal action against USDA to enforce those obligations if the agency fails to follow the court's order.

Although Congress chose not to renew a prohibition on USDA funds being used for horse slaughter inspections, those inspections cannot recommence automatically, according to The HSUS. In The Humane Society of the United States v. Johanns, the D.C. District Court enjoined USDA from restarting horse slaughter inspections without first conducting an environmental review of the environmental impacts of horse slaughter operations, which can include a persistent noxious stench and the presence of horse blood in the plumbing of neighboring areas. USDA must comply with that order before restarting horse slaughter inspections, and before any horse slaughter plant can open in the U.S.

"The court's decision is crystal clear," said Jonathan Lovvorn, senior vice president of animal protection litigation for The HSUS. "USDA must undertake an environmental review before inspections begin, and The HSUS will take appropriate legal action to ensure the agency carries out the court's directives."

In 2005, Congress voted to prohibit the use of federal funds to pay for salaries and expenses of personnel to inspect horses being slaughtered for human consumption. By defunding horse slaughter inspections, horse slaughter facilities could no longer operate, and by 2007, all U.S. slaughterhouses were closed. Prior to congressional action, more than 100,000 horses were being slaughtered each year in the United States for consumption abroad. Horses are not bred or raised for food production, but were swept up in the pipeline of "killer buyers" who export horse meat or profit.

In a troubling decision, a congressional conference committee stripped the defunding provision, which had been in place for five years, from an FY 2012 agriculture spending bill, giving USDA the discretion to once again resume horse slaughter inspections, which could cost an estimated $5 million in taxpayer dollars annually. A poll conducted in January by Lake Research Partners for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that 80 percent of Americans are strongly opposed to horse slaughter.

"At a time when our nation is looking to cut spending, it is deeply disappointing that Congress added millions of dollars to the federal budget to enable the needless slaughter of America's iconic horses to resume," Lovvorn said. "Americans don't eat horses, and don't want them butchered, shrink-wrapped, and sent to France or Belgium as a high-priced appetizer."

The HSUS's letter also noted that USDA will have to make extensive changes to its existing regulatory framework to comply with new regulations for the export of horsemeat to the European Union, a top U.S. export destination in the past.

A full copy of the letter can be read by clicking here.

MHARF In the News

Due to the recent Anoka County Humane Case, MHARF has been in the news quite frequently. Below are links to some of the news stories, both in the local papers and on local TV stations. We thank them for covering this case and making the plight of these horses common knowledge

StarTribune article January 13, 2012 - For starving horses, rescuer offers last gasp of hope.

KARE 11 TV January 12, 2012 - East Bethel rancher charged with 35 counts of animal mistreatment.

KSTP TV January 12, 2012 - East Bethel horse owner charged with animal cruelty.

Pioneer Press article January 10, 2012 - East Bethel: Breeder can't have horses back, judge rules.

For more information about adopting, fostering, sponsoring, or MHARF in general, please contact the rescue at 763-856-3119, email us at info@mnhoovedanimalrescue.org, or visit us on FaceBook at Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation.

Parole Pending for Three Strikes Ranch Owner

From KNEB 94.1 in Scottsbluff: A Morrill County rancher convicted of letting more than 200 wild horses and burros starve was not paroled today, but his parole is "pending" according to a spokesman with the parole board. 44-year-old Jason Meduna was sentenced to serve 40 months to 10 years in prison in February of 2010 after being convicted the month before for 145 counts of cruel neglect of an animal resulting in injury, illness or death.

The spokesperson in the Parole Board's records department said Wednesday Meduna's parole is pending because he has to meet certain conditions concerning his desire to live outside Nebraska. In such cases the receiving state has to agree to accept and monitor the parolee once he arrives in their state. If the conditions are met , and it's not known at this time how long that will take, Meduna could be released the very next day.

The starving horses were discovered on Meduna's Three-Strikes Ranch south of Alliance in April, 2009. Law enforcement removed the ailing animals from the ranch and transported them to the Morrill County Fairgrounds in Bridgeport. Over 30 animals were found dead at the ranch. During sentencing, District Judge Leo Dobrovolny stipulated that Meduna could not reside, own, or possess any animals for 30 years.

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Note: MHARF has three Mustangs from this case still available for adoption.

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011
Call your State Senator to Support S. 1176

If you would like to help stop the abuse and slaughter of horses for human consumption, please take note of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011 (S. 1176). This act will end the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for human consumption.

Over 100,000 American horses are transported to international destinations and often suffer inhumane slaughter. You may contact your United State Senator through the Animal Legal Defense Fund's website and ask him/her to stand up for America's horses by supporting S.1176. To access this website, please click here.

Dental Work Important?
Patty says "Definitely" - but you be the judge...

These photos were taken in the mouth of Patty - a teenaged Percheron/Saddlebred cross mare from the recent Anoka County Humane Case. As you can see from the below photos (click on each of them to see a larger image) she had severe dental issues and was in extreme pain. She is MUCH more comfortable now, and her eating style has changed dramatically after her dental work. She still has some work to be done, but the sharpness is gone and the "fangs" are dramatically reduced so she can eat without discomfort. She is now a much happier horse! Check out the rehab section of the Horses Page and see how lovely this mare is.

Patty's Molars showing both sides	Patty's Left side first Molar
Damage to Tongue from "fang"	Damage to lower gingiva left side

Anoka County Humane Case

Several horses were seized in an Anoka County Humane Case at NV Arabian Horse Ranch having been evaluated with body scores of 1 and 2 on the Henneke scale. The horses were released to MHARF this weekend after spending time at the U of MN for evaluation and care.

The Pioneer Press printed a very heartwarming article about Lizzy, an 18-year-old Arabian mare taken in this case, and the family that is doing what they can to help her. You can find the article by clicking here.

Iris, shown here in a recent photo to the left, was one of the horses seized in this case. She is doing much better as you can see from her photo. You can see from the photos of her back (photo 1) and her hips (photo 2), her incoming condition was severe. Below are a few of the additional intake photos of these horses. Click on the image to see the larger image. Sponsors are appreciated to assist in the rehabilitation of these horses.

Intake - Anoka County Horse	Pinto Intake - Anoka County
Body Condition was Severe	Another Example of Condition
Intake - Anoka County Horse	Example of Hoof Condition

Please call 763-856-3119 if you would like to become a sponsor. More information will be coming soon to the website regarding these wonderful horses.

2011 Trainer's Challenge Photos

To borrow a phrase from American Express...

Prize money for Challenge Winners - $5,000
Time Trainers and horses spend working to prepare for the Challenge - approx. 100 days
Resources to put on annual event - blood, sweat, and tears of many...

Taking a horse from Unwanted to Champion... Priceless!

Ernie at Intake	Ernie the Champion!

View All of the photo's HERE!

MHARF Yahoo! Group

A Yahoo! Group has been created for the MN Hooved Animal Rescue to keep everyone informed of events, alerts, and other time-sensitive information that may not be posted to this website. This group is certainly not a replacement for this website, but more to supplement the communication process for everyone concerned about the welfare of horses in Minnesota. To learn more about this e-mail list and what it does, you can visit the MHARF Yahoo! Group home page here. This list is carefully moderated by volunteers of the Rescue to ensure the privacy of the members and the content of the notices. In order to participate, you will need a valid e-mail address. For more information, please visit the MHARF Yahoo! Group

Assistance for Elderly With Pets

We wanted to share information we were given with regard to organizations who will assist the elderly keep and care for their pets if they have come upon financial hardship. Please view the attached Adobe PDF listing of resources, and feel free to share this information with others who may find it helpful.

EHV-1 Information

Here is the most recent information we have received regarding the recent outbreaks of EHM.

Although the majority of Minnesota horses will be unaffected by this outbreak, sensible precautions dictate that horses that have aborted or show signs of fever in conjunction with respiratory or neurological disease be isolated from other horses and evaluated by a veterinarian. Vaccines for control of respiratory disease and abortion due to EHV-1 are available, and many Minnesota horses receive them as part of their spring vaccination regimen, but the ability of vaccines to control the neurological form of the disease is unclear. If you have specific questions regarding the implications of this outbreak for your horse, or whether additional vaccination is appropriate, we recommend that you contact your regular veterinarian.

We urge owners to avoid bringing sick or suspect horses to shows, clinics, trail rides, etc. If you have any doubts about your horses health, stay at home.

Please click here to download a PDF of the USDA EHV-1 informational brochure.

The Jockey Club Launches Thoroughbred Connect

The Jockey Club announced on May 16, 2011 the launch of Thoroughbred Connect(TM), a free online service designed to assist with placement of Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing or breeding careers.

A component of The Jockey Club's Interactive Registration(TM), Thoroughbred Connect enables Registry customers to express their willingness to be contacted by the possessor of a horse in the event the horse is in need of placement. Those interested in providing assistance or aftercare have the ability to attach their name and contact information to the electronic records of Thoroughbreds within The Jockey Club's database using Thoroughbred Connect.

Similarly, a person who is seeking placement for a Thoroughbred in his possession can log into Thoroughbred Connect and request the contact information attached to the horse. The possessor of the horse may then contact that prospective owner directly to perform due diligence and discuss potential arrangements to transfer the horse. Thoroughbred Connect is accessible directly at www.thoroughbredconnect.com.

he Jockey Club also provides free Tattoo Identification ServicesTM through Interactive Registration to help owners identify tattooed but unknown Thoroughbreds in their possession. Each successful lookup includes a complimentary five-generation pedigree, auction history search and race record.

Tattoo lookup is also incorporated into Registry mobile, enabling tattooed but unknown Thoroughbreds to be identified with the convenience of a smartphone.

Additional information about Thoroughbred Connect, the retirement checkoff program, and Tattoo Identification Services is available through The Jockey Club Registry's website at registry.jockeyclub.com.

Sign Petition to Keep Undercover
Humane Investigations Legal in Minnesota

Two bills (Senate File 1118/House File 1369) have been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature that would ban undercover humane investigations. These bills would make it a crime to take video without an owner's consent in factory farms and puppy mills in Minnesota, as well as to possess and distribute the images.

We ask that you please review these bills and consider contacting the governor and your Minnesota State Senator and Representative and also signing an online petition found here to help stop this legislation, or others like it.

Pet Points from Coborn's

Have you been collecting Pet Points from Coborn's but you don't know what to do with them? Do you have no idea what "Pet Points" are? Do you want to help the MHARF even more? Then read on!

Coborn's has been a local grocery store in the upper Midwest for several decades, with the first one opening in 1921 in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. One of the promotional features at select Coborn's stores is "Pet Points". Pet Points are coupons given at Coborn's when you buy pet food. When you have enough points, you can convert the points into cash - 150 pet points = $10.00 that can be used for anything at Coborn's such as food for the animals in the care of MHARF or even gas for transporting horses to and from foster homes and veterinary clinics.

In addition to Coborn's stores, you can also drop your pet points off at Caseys General Store 810 N. Rum River Drive, Princeton MN 55371 (763)389-9923.

If you have extra Pet Points that you'd like to donate to MHARF, please visit these stores or contact Deb at 763-389-9185 or Deb at 763-856-4475. (Yes, two different ladies named "Deb".)

For Sale

While horses are the primary focus of this site (yeah, we know - big surprise), from time to time we come into the possession of material objects that A) we don't especially need at the moment or B) don't really apply to horses or the care of horses. As we're sure you've guessed by now, it just so happens that this is one of those times.

At the moment we have a 1994 Chevy 4x4 pick-up truck. It is in good repair and fine working condition apart from the fact that the truck's windshield would need to be replaced. The asking price of the truck is $3,500. If you'd like to learn more or arrange a time to inspect the truck, please call us at 763-856-3119.

Nebraska 200 Mustang Rescue

Back in April (2009), we talked about a rather unfortunate state of affairs at the Three Strikes Ranch in Nebraska, where a collection of wild Mustang horses has come to be known as the "Nebraska 200". Quite simply, it was a herd of horses that had been left unfed and uncared for to a point where about 75 had already died and the remaining 200+ were in sorry shape. Well, we have some updates! Click here to read more!

Information from the MN Horse Welfare Coalition

An excellent program dedicated to the education of new and seasoned horse owners, the MN Horse Welfare Coalition (MNHWC) has posted literature on the AHS website that we feel is required reading. There are documents on "Evaluating a Horse's Body", "Horse Hay Resources", and "Humane Options for Unwanted Horses". You can download and view these documents here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

The Gelding Project

The Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition, the Minnesota Horse Council and the Animal Humane Society in cooperation with the Minnesota Association of Equine Practitioners and the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue have launched an initiate to help control the equine population named "The Gelding Project". This two-part program is designed as a key step to reduce the number of unwanted horses in Minnesota. For more information on this project and how you can help make it a success, please visit the Horse Council website! There are PDF files available for download (Adobe Acrobat Reader required) that help detail the requirements and benefits of this project.

In addition, the first castration clinic was a great success! You can read the news release here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required) as well as some additional information here.

Wyldfyre MISSING!

On December 9th, 2008, one of our horses presently in foster care in the Rush City / Rock Creek area - Wyldfyre - disappeared from the farm where she was fostered. We do not know if she strayed away, is lost, or has been stolen - but we certainly would like to have her back and safe! Wyldfyre, is an Arabian sorrel mare that stands about 14.2 hands. She has very little white, with the only spot being a small star on her forehead. She also has a scar on her hind leg, but given the fuzzy nature of horses right now, that might be hard to see. Here is a flyer (99KB PDF) you can download and post if you are in that area or are attending any horse auctions.

We are offering a reward to anyone providing information that leads to the safe return Wyldfyre. If you have information on her whereabouts, please contact the Rescue immediately at 763-856-3119.

MHARF "Rescue Me" Posters Available

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of graphic designer Kari Finkler and animal photographer Mary Ludington, we are excited to announce the release of "Rescue Me" - a 13" x 18" poster donated to the Rescue to help raise funds for the animals in our care. Want to learn more? Then by all means, click here!

MHARF Yahoo! Group

A Yahoo! Group has been created for the MN Hooved Animal Rescue to keep everyone informed of events, alerts, and other time-sensitive information that may not be posted to this website. This group is certainly not a replacement for this website, but more to supplement the communication process for everyone concerned about the welfare of horses in Minnesota. To learn more about this e-mail list and what it does, you can visit the MHARF Yahoo! Group home page here. This list is carefully moderated by volunteers of the Rescue to ensure the privacy of the members and the content of the notices. In order to participate, you will need a valid e-mail address. For more information, please visit the MHARF Yahoo! Group

An important article has been posted at TheHorse.com that we encourage everyone to read! (Free registration required to view.)

How to Manage Starved Horses and Effectively Work with Humane and Law Enforcement Officials - "The role of the veterinarian in the community is very important (in equine welfare cases)," said Julie Wilson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, head of large animal medicine at the University of Minnesota's (UM) College of Veterinary Medicine during the 50th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention. Read More...

MHARF has an urgent need for trainers and/or training centers to foster and work with horses for 60 days. Currently, we have more horses than our staff can work. If you can help, please contact Drew at (763) 856-3119. Remember, all foster care cost are tax deductible.

• Never sell your horse at an auction nor to anyone whose background you haven't thoroughly checked.
• Report suspected animal abuse to:

Animal Humane Society
845 Meadow Lane North
Golden Valley Minnesota 55422
763.489.1570

Minnesota Federated Humane Societies
612-866-8663 or 1-877-8ANIMAL (1-877-826-4625)
6613 Penn Ave. So.
Richfield, MN 55423
Email: tshields@isd.net

• Become a Foundation volunteer by calling today.