Bruce (Adopted)

Bruce is a 2024 miniature horse who came to us from a January 2025 Carlton County case in which we assisted an owner to surrender horses after multiple fines for loose livestock and inability to provide secure fencing. He was a stallion at intake but has now received his initial intake veterinary care and has been gelded. He has now been adopted by his foster provider.

Lieutenant Dan (Adopted)

Update on Lt. Dan 04/16/25: Thank you to Adam Duxter and WCCO News for doing this story on Lt. Dan! And thank you so much to Dr. Schwinghamer, all of the staff at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services, Winkley Orthotics and Prosthetics, and everyone who donated to help this special mini horse! We have had many people reach out about adopting Dan. We are happy to say that he will be going to a new forever home soon with someone who has been with him throughout this process, and who knows exactly what he needs and what to watch for to ensure that Dan continues to live his best life.
Update on Dan: Dan’s custom  had his custom prosthetic leg was finally finished and fitted March 25th. We want to thank Winkley Orthotics and Prosthetics and Anoka Equine Veterinary Services for all of their help in this situation. Dan is doing very well. Radiographs show no signs of laminitis in his 3 remaining hooves, which is a huge factor in his positive prognosis. From MHARF director Drew Fitzpatrick: “How he healed by himself, didn’t get eaten by predators, bred mares, and gave us a hard time trying to round him up is a testament to his resilience! Most of an equine’s weight is carried on the forehand, when he moved at a run he was smooth but walking and turning was awkward. Radiographs show no laminitis in any hoof. Lt. Dan is a lightweight pony, that has made the difference.” We will continue to work with Dan’s veterinarians to closely monitor his condition and comfort. So far everything looks very positive!
Lieutenant Dan is a 2020 miniature stallion who came to us from a January 2025 Carlton County case. He is MISSING the lower part of his left hind leg and has been living this way for at least a couple of years. We started his care by doing complete discovery vetting to determine the best way to proceed (a prosthetic specialist is included in the process) in order to provide him with the most humane care possible and to do what is in his best interest. He was sedated, radiographed, and his leg stump was bandaged for protection after a cast was made of it to make a prosthetic. He also had blood pulled for a general workup and Coggin’s testing. The big news to come out of the exam is the fact that he has bullet fragments in one of his front legs (seen on radiographs) which makes us suspect that this may be related to his missing hind leg as well.  This little guy is truly a survivor! Thank you so much to everyone at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services for taking such an interest in Lt. Dan’s case and helping to make sure he receives what he needs with their excellent care. His comfort is our main concern and so far he seems to be doing quite well with his prosthetic.
Dan’s care won’t be cheap, but this little fighter has made it so far already and we want to give him every chance. If you would like to help out on this journey, donations are greatly appreciated!

Teddy Bear (Adopted)

Teddy Bear came to us as a 2024 stud colt from a January 2025 Carlton County case in which we assisted an owner to surrender horses after multiple fines for loose livestock and inability to provide secure fencing. He has now received his initial intake veterinary care, has been gelded, and has been adopted by his foster home.

Pocket (Adopted)

Pocket is a 2024 miniature gelding who came to us from a January 2025 Carlton County case in which we assisted an owner to surrender horses after multiple fines for loose livestock and inability to provide secure fencing. He was a stud colt at intake and has now been gelded and had the rest of his intake veterinary work. He is in a great foster home and we want to thank Patti for sending us a great “Pocket Guide” containing everything a potential adopter would need to know about him:

– He can be reliably caught, but still with a gentle approach.
– After a quick initial objection, he then realizes that ear scritches feel good and he’ll lean in.
– He has never turned to kick. He has not kicked in place.
– Pocket is willing and able to jump a 3.5′ fence, without a running start.
– He loves Strategy feed and paws at the ground when eating. He does not like apples.
– He enjoys chewing trees.
– He’s good with a hay net.
– Pocket allows handling and touching his front legs, squeezing even.
– He allows grooming his back legs (but we haven’t gotten to handling those, yet.)
– He doesn’t mind the radio and he’s curious about the barn cats.
– He is currently not nose-to-nose with a herd, but he doesn’t pace or express distress at that. They can see each other.
– Pocket likes to smell grooming tools before use. He really enjoys the comb, even on his left side which was originally off limits.
– He loves to play! Gloves, hats, balls, anything! He especially enjoys the ball hay feeders.
– He will always come over for nose kisses and forehead rubs, if you’re outside his stall.
– If something displeases him, he will occasionally attempt to bite. He’s not aggressive about it and he hasn’t been successful, but make sure his head is straight or turned away.
– Pocket has an outside area and spends all day in the sunshine and fresh air. He is confined to a stall overnight and displays no objection.
– He poops in one spot in the stall! He’ll even go in from outside to poop in that spot!
– He will jump and flee, if surprised, so it’s best to talk and let him know you’re coming by. It’s much improved since his arrival!
– He’d love to be with the herd with lots of space, but would be difficult to catch in that case.
– Pocket may occasionally resist being caught, but once on the lead is agreeable.
– He is bright eyed and coming along!

 

 

Darla (adopted)

Darla is a 2023 miniature mare came to us from a January 2025 Carlton County case in which we assisted an owner to surrender horses after multiple fines for loose livestock and inability to provide secure fencing. She has received her intake veterinary care and is currently in a foster home where she has learned to trust people and has been halter broke. She is ready to find a new home and start on a new adventure!