More MHARF News
Thank You to Our Supporters for Their Generous Donations on Give the the Max Day!
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2022 Fall/Winter Tack Sale a Huge Success!
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A New Rescue at MHARF Starts His Journey to Recovery!
Journey
Journey is a registered quarter horse gelding (Little Star Journey) who was foaled in 2002. He was surrendered to MHARF by his owners in August 2022 because they could not give him the care he needs. Journey is extremely thin, but we are hopeful that we got him in time to save him. He is currently on a careful refeeding program and is in need of dental work. Update 09/16/22: Journey had dental surgery this past week at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services to remove a broken molar. He was reactive, and the tooth must have been very painful because even with sedation and nerve blocking, he couldn’t tolerate the work being done in his mouth. He had to have general anesthesia in the surgery suite, which was much more expensive but definitely worth it because it was successful and the broken pieces of tooth were removed. He had a difficult recovery but is now bright and eating well. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated towards Journey’s care! If you’d like to donate to help with Journey’s continuing rehabilitation, information for donating safely and easily can be found here Donate Here! Thank you!
Pink the Paint Mare Recovering From Tendonectomy Surgery
Pink is a 2007 paint mare who came to MHARF in September 2022 as an owner surrender. Pink is thin and has stringhalt that was most likely caused by an old injury. She is scheduled for a tendonectomy next week at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services, a procedure that has a 65% chance of correcting the issue and making her sound.
Update 09/18/22: Pink had her tendonectomy. She will be on stall rest for a while and we won’t know for awhile how successful the surgery was, but she is definitely walking better and is much more comfortable. We will update her info as soon as we know more. If you’d like to make a donation to help us cover the costs of Pink’s surgery and recovery, information for donating safely and easily can be found here: Donate Here! Thank you!
Ola the (Ex)Circus Pony
Thank you to Erin and Aubrey for adopting Ola! Ola, who was part of a traveling circus touring Minnesota in May 2022, came in to MHARF as an owner surrender because he was in need of surgery for scirrhous cord (a bacterial infection and fibrosis of the spermatic cord remnant which can be a complication of castration surgery). There was no way for Ola to have the surgery and stall rest and recovery time he needed if he remained with the traveling circus. He had the surgery at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services where they removed a mass of infected tissue “the size of a Nerf football”. Ola required quite a bit of aftercare, including antibiotics, daily cold hosing, and hand-walking. By mid-July he was finally ready to be moved to a new home and was adopted into a wonderful family. We’re really pleased with Ola the Circus Pony’s “happy ending” and want to thank everyone for their support! We would also like to thank his owners for having his best interest in mind and making sure he received the care he needed. Thank you as well to Dr. Nancy Peterson for her assistance in helping Ola.
Update on Blue Maxine
Blue Maxine
Update on Blue Maxine! Maxine is doing well and has just been moved to a new foster home where she has more pasture. As you can see, she is looking and feeling much better than she did at intake time last fall. There are a number of people we want to thank for helping with Maxine’s recovery and rehabilitation, including Tara Perkins for giving her a heated barn over the winter and managing her safe weight gain, Abbie Schramm for managing her original intake care, and Deb Anderson for assisting with intake, being her “case leader” and providing her new foster home. We also want to thank Jodi Smith-Shepeck who has been sponsoring Maxine’s care for many months and going to the barn to groom her and give her lots of attention. Maxine has also been receiving massage therapy from Armstrong Equine Massage and chiropractic care from Interlaken Centre! Maxine, who is a TWH in her mid to late teens, is still in our rehabilitation program and is not yet available for adoption. She originally came to MHARF in September 2021 from a case in which we assisted Equine Allies, Inc., to place horses whose owner could no longer care for them and needed help.
Sad Update on Archie from March 2022 Humane Case
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We are saddened to say that we were unable to save Archie, the palomino gelding who was one of our most recent intakes. You can read Archie’s story here. Thank you so much to everyone who helped in this case, including the amazing vets, techs, and staff at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services, Investigator Oquist from the Animal Humane Society, and everyone who donated to help cover the costs of Archie’s care. At least we know Archie knew kindness and warmth at the end
Author Dedicates Portion of Book Proceeds to MHARF!
Thank you to author Lisa Brisse for dedicating a portion of the proceeds from sales of her new book to MHARF! Available on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon.Update on Rose from March 2022 Humane Case
Maya Rose
Someone is looking so much better! This is Rose (formerly Maya from a March 2022 Pine County humane case) in her adoptive home. Thank you to Margaret for getting this senior mare into such good condition. A job well done!
A Sad Update on Agnes
Agnes lost her battle early Tuesday morning. She came from a place where life is cheap, where kindness is scorned as weakness. There are people who should be ashamed of the way this mare was treated, who should be held accountable for the misery they allowed her to endure. We don’t know who yet. What we do know is that she lived her last few days in clean bedding with food and water. She was stroked, patted, and spoken to kindly. She was SEEN–not looked through. Blood was drawn, tests were run, and a treatment plan was set in motion, but it was too late. The neglect had been too long and too severe, and she couldn’t be saved. She was three years old.
#BettyWhiteChallenge
Thank you so much to our supporters for helping us raise over $5500.00 during the #BettyWhiteChallenge, the global movement to honor the legacy of life-long animal welfare advocate Betty White on Monday, January 17th, 2022, the day that would have been her 100th birthday! The #BettyWhiteChallenge is all about raising money to help animals of all kinds. You can still make a donation to MHARF in Betty’s memory any time of the year. Thank you!
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Donations by check can be mailed to: MHARF, PO Box 47, Zimmerman, MN 55398
Update on Mini Molly
Mini Molly
Thank you to Tina P. and her family for providing Molly with a great new adoptive home with everything she needs for rehabilitation! Molly is still pretty frightened of new things and timid around people–so she needed a place where she would have a small turnout area (on a dry lot w/ soft footing), a mini buddy, a safe stall, and daily handling. (Thank you again to MN Federated Humane Societies and to Janette and Craig for their help as well!) You can read more about Molly here.
A New Home for Topaz
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We’re happy to report that a year after her intake at MHARF, Topaz has found a great new home! Her adopter says she is a gentle soul and has quickly become a barn favorite. Thank you once again to everyone who helped give Topaz this happy ending, including trainer Sarah Lemke of Step Up Horsemanship who started her under saddle this past summer and helped facilitate the adoption. You can read more about Topaz Here! Visit our Recent Adoptions page to see who else found a new home recently!
Update on Carter 05/10/21
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We were able to move Carter to the MHARF farm today! He has had all of his intake vet work done, including a dental (he had some extremely sharp, painful points) and being gelded. He also had his farrier work done and his feet look great (thank you Dr. Dave). Carter is a larger pony stallion (approximately 18 years old, 14hh) who came in on 04/26/21 from a Carlton County humane case. He was living in horrible conditions with no turnout whatsoever. We want to thank Investigator Oquist from the Animal Humane Society of MN for assistance in this case. We also want to thank everyone at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services for their care and for the “makeover” Carter received.
Sad Update on Newest MHARF Intake (March 2021)
We were contacted by several people who had seen this poor teenaged mare listed for sale in southern Minnesota. Some volunteers arranged to purchase and transport her. From the photo and description in the listing it looked like she needed some help, but it was in no way obvious what her true condition was until they arrived to pick her up. When she nearly went down during loading, we set up an emergency appointment at the vet clinic (thank you so much to the veterinarians at Anoka Equine for allowing us to bring her in on a Sunday). Radiographs showed severe arthritis in the large hock joint of both hind legs, possibly caused by septicemia as a foal or some other untreated infection. She was in extreme pain and after conferring with the veterinarians the decision was made to have her humanely euthanized. You can view a video of Sophie walking HERE.
Donations are always needed to help MHARF continue assisting horses like Sophie. Please visit our Donate Page to see the many options for making secure, tax-deductible contributions to this important work!
IMPORTANT 2021 TRAINER’S CHALLENGE ANNOUNCEMENT
We regret to announce that MHARF will NOT be holding the annual Trainer’s Challenge in 2021. Upon review of the horses eligible for the program, we have decided that the majority are too young to benefit from a competitive training venue. We also have many older horses who have been started in the past and are therefore not eligible for the Trainer’s Challenge. We feel it would be in the best interest of these horses to send them into refresher training while keeping them eligible for immediate adoption. As many of you know, due to Covid-19 we were unable to hold the 2020 Trainer’s Challenge as the usual audience event and fundraiser. Because we don’t know yet what this year holds, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the event in 2021. Thank you!
Pearl receives a Birthday Sponsor Visit!
Thank you so much to Ava and her family for raising funds for MHARF for Ava’s birthday! Over the weekend Ava donated $500 to MHARF that she had raised in lieu of gifts to sponsor our recent intake Pearl. Read more about Pearl’s story here.
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- Ava and her sister with Pearl
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- Ava and her own POA Unicorn Bob
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- Pearl Mid-October 2020
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- Pearl at Intake Sept. 2020
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- Pearl at Intake Sept. 2020
Don’t Be Afraid to Foster or Adopt an Older Horse
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Thank you so much to Judy for this wonderful article about her experiences adopting and fostering some of the senior horses at MHARF!
2020 Was a Great Year for Adoptions at MHARF!
As of of 12/31/2020, seventy equines found great new adoptive homes through MHARF! You can view the complete list of adopted horses Here!
July 2020 Humane Case Intake Update
07/23/20: We have a sad update on Benjamin, a 16-year-old gelding who came to MHARF from a July 2020 Carlton County humane case. After consulting with the veterinarians working with Ben, we made to decision to have him humanely euthanized. You can read more details and view photos HERE.
Thank you very much to Investigator Oquist of the Animal Humane Society of MN for all of her timely assistance in getting Benjamin out of the situation in which he was discovered, allowing us to minimize his suffering as much as possible.
MHARF Purchases New “Animal Ambulance” Thanks to Grant from the Douglas and Louise Leatherdale Foundation!
In 2019 MHARF was able to purchase a new “Animal Ambulance” trailer thanks to a generous grant from the Douglas and Louis Leatherdale Foundation! This trailer, custom-designed with all of the safety and convenience features we need, will make it possible for us to safely haul rescued animals for many years to come. T
hank you to the Leatherdale Foundation for this wonderful gift!
Sad Update on October 2019 Kanabec County Humane Case
This coming two-yr-old colt came to MHARF from Kanabec County humane case in which we worked with the Animal Humane Society of MN. He was suffering from severe malnourishment, hypothermia, and dehydration at intake. He was taken directly to Anoka Equine Veterinary Services for emergency care but sadly he did not survive. We want to thank Investigator Oquist from AHS, everyone who donated towards his care, and the excellent doctors and staff at Anoka Equine.
November 2019 Chisago County Humane Case Media Coverage
MHARF 25th Anniversary Edition Newsletter
So far 2019 has been a busy year for MHARF! It is also a special year for us–as we are celebrating our 25th year in operation! We have put together a 25th Anniversary Edition of our newsletter featuring an interview with MHARF founder and executive director Drew Fitzpatrick. Please consider making a donation to help MHARF celebrate 25 years of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses and other hooved animals in need! The need is always ongoing so your support will help us continue this important work. ( Click Here for links for easy and secure online donation options and info on how to donate by check. All donations are tax-deductible!) We want to say THANK YOU to the countless people who have helped with this mission over the years by donating, adopting, fostering, volunteering, and sharing our information! We could not do this without all of you! Please view our newsletter for a lot more information about current activity at MHARF (for those of you on our print newsletter list–it is currently at the printer and will go out next week!). Thank you!
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Media Coverage of the 2019 MHARF Trainer’s Challenge
Thank you to Bill Hudson and WCCO for their story on Luta and her trainer Shaylor Alley! Back in March Bill had covered the story of the Fillmore County humane case when Luta originally came to us (you can find the original story Here.) We were thrilled to have WCCO back to do a follow up!
From Rescue to Recovery; Maltreated Horses Ready for Adoption
Thank you to George Mallet and KIMT3, a WCCO affiliate out of Rochester, MN, for picking up the story and doing a follow up about Luta and Shaylor, our 2019 Trainer’s Challenge Grand Champions!
Be a Champion for the Horses at MHARF!
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Sign up with the CHAMPION Volunteer Program through the Equus Foundation and be eligible to win Ariat gift certificates, scholarships, or even a grant for your favorite equine charity (which we hope is MHARF!) with just 24 hours of volunteer service. Click Here to view our volunteer opportunities.
MHARF Trainer and Horses Featured in Town Life Magazine
Town Life Magazine recently an article on Marirose Berner of MJB Horse Training and her MHARF training horses. Marirose has been working with us for several years and has been instrumental in the adoption of many horses! To read the full article Click Here!
July 2019 Carlton County Humane Case
MHARF is recently assisted the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota by taking in three horses from an ongoing Carlton County humane case. Sadly, we did have to make the decision to euthanize the 3 year old mare. We also had to make the decision to euthanize the 8-9 year old gray stallion.
The yearling colt was treated at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services for pneumonia. He is severely malnourished but is improving. He has now been released from the in-patient clinic and has moved to the MHARF farm. Please Click Here if you would like make a donation to help us cover veterinary bills and care. Thank you!
MHARF is not an investigating organization in this case. We are the receiving organization and our role is to take in the horses that are signed over to us and provide care for them and provide forensic evidence to the investigators. Questions about this case should be directed to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Department and the Animal Humane Society of MN.
Update on March 2019 Fillmore County Humane Case
Read about the updates regarding the charges in the March 2019 Fillmore County humane case here:
Charges Files in Horse Deaths -John Molseed, Rochester Post Bulletin
Smaglik Makes First Appearance in Horse Deaths -John Molseed, Rochester Post Bulletin
Horses, Donkey Recovering After Winter of ‘Extreme Neglect’ -Bill Hudson, WCCO News
Once again we want to thank the MN Horse Welfare Coalition, the Animal Humane Society of MN, the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Deptartment, and the Fillmore County Attorney’s Office for their work on this case! We also want to thank everyone who has donated towards the care of these horses, everyone at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services, all of our foster and adoptive homes, and all of our trainers and volunteers!
Owners of Horses from 2018 Brown County Humane Cases Found Guilty on 17 of 19 Charges
We are thankful to the Brown County Attorney’s Office and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this humane case. MHARF became involved in this case in spring of 2018 when we were called in to remove the horses from the property. We are also thankful for the help of Dr. Zach Lappnow and everyone at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services, Dr. Kirk Smith, and all of the volunteers, foster providers, and trainers who helped in the rehabilitation of these horses.
Mertzes Found Guilty on 17 of 19 Counts of Animal Neglect -Fritz Busch, The New Ulm Journal
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April 2019 Clay County Humane Case
MHARF has been working with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department in a recent humane case. You can read media coverage on this case here: Malnourished Horses, Sheep, Lambs Found in Minnesota; Owners Face Felony Charges – Raju Chaduvula
March 2019 Fillmore County Humane Case
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MHARF has been working withthe MN Horse Welfare Coalition, the Animal Humane Society of MN, and the Fillm ore County Sheriff’s Dept. in a Fillmore County humane case involving 7 horses and a donkey (two additional horses were found dead on the property). We transported the equines to Anoka Equine Veterinary Services where they are receiving the best of care. Sadly, we had to make the decision to humanely euthanize one horse (the big bay gelding). The remaining horses and donkey continue to improve. We will have more details on individual horses soon!
Horses Recovering After Enduring Severe Abuse, Starvation (Bill Hudson, WCCO)
Despite Tough Road Ahead, Fillmore County Horses Continue to Make Progress (Iris Perez, Fox 9 News)
Horses Found Neglected in Fillmore County Now Recovering in Elk River, MN (Fox 9 News)
Third Horse Dies in Fillmore County Neglect Case (John Molseed, Post Bulletin)
Two Horses Found Dead on Rural Chatfield Property ( Shannon Rosseau, KTTC)
Sheriff: Two Horses Found dead in Neglect Case in SE MN (KIMT 3 News)
Two Horses Found Dead on Chatfield Property, Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office Investigating (Fox 47)
Officials Investigate Alleged Neglect of Horses Near Chatfield (D. Phillips Bluff County Newspaper Group)
Donkeys Rescued from Severe Neglect in Pine County
MHARF’s newest intakes are Seven Donkeys who came from a Pine County, MN, humane case. This is a recent and ongoing case so please check back for updates. You can read the FOX 9 News story by clicking Here!
Generous Donation Allows MHARF to Replace Barn Roof
This spring MHARF was able to replace the roof on one of our barns with the help of a generous donation from the Doug and Louise Leatherdale Foundation. This barn has large stalls that we use to foal out mares who are pregnant at intake. It is also used for intensive care cases. This new steel roof will keep horses safe and dry for many years to come! Thank you to the Leatherdale Foundation!
Town and Country Articles Feature MHARF
Read two great articles by Debbie Griffin published in the Princeton Town & Country paper! One is about long-time MHARF supporters Marlyn and Lauren Hempel. The other is an article about MHARF. Click on the images to read articles.
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- Hempel Article Page 1
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- Hempel Article Page 2
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- Hempel Article Page 3
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- MHARF Article Page 1
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- MHARF Article Page 2
MHARF Says Goodbye to Sven the Sheep
On January 9th, 2017, MHARF sadly said goodbye to long time resident Sven the sheep. Sven (who was born in October of 1999) came to MHARF as an orphaned lamb. He has been entertaining visitors to the farm for 18 years. Sven was humanely euthanized because of failing health due to old age. He will be greatly missed!
MHARF Takes in Six Mustangs from International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros Humane Case
CLICK HERE to see the full details of this story!
Photo Credit: Laura Thai
Thank You, JJ!
Last month, JJ, 11, of San Francisco, presented a check for $2,000 to the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation. For the past six years, JJ has been visiting Minneapolis and riding KT Scarlett O’Hara, a sweet-tempered Arabian who was adopted in 2008 by his aunt, Sue Ann. Moved by the story of Scarlett’s rescue by MHARF from a hoarding case involving 23 Arabians and a donkey, JJ was determined to help MHARF. To raise the funds for his donation, JJ sold his gently used clothes and toys, collected recyclables, saved his allowance, and solicited contributions from friends and family. One of JJ’s favorite activities while in Minnesota is to visit the animals on the MHARF farm. When he grows up, JJ would like to work with animals, designing and building mechanical limbs for horses and other creatures with missing limbs! Thank you JJ–you are amazing!
