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. Thank you to the Leatherdale Foundation for this wonderful gift!

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.

Police, Animal Humane Society investigate report of horse neglect in North Branch, KSTP Eye Witness News Channel 5

Eleven horses seized from North Branch farm for suspected neglect, investigation underway. WCCO News Channel 4

Eleven ‘malnourished’ horses seized from North Branch property Kare 11 News

Eleven horses removed from North Branch owner due to malnourishment, health issues Fox 9 News

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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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!

Rescued Horse Wins Competition and Gets Adopted

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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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

Mertezs Found Guilty on 17 of 19 Counts of Animal Neglect  -Fritz Busch, The New Ulm Journal

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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

View Photos Here

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)

Morganne Reinboldt and Radin, her 2017 MHARF Trainer’s Challenge horse, were recently featured on both KWWL and KCRG News in Iowa and in the Cedar Falls Courier and Cedar Falls Gazette. MHARF is proud to have Morganne and Radin as representatives!

UNI Student Turns Rescued Horse’s Life Around

UNI Student Trains Horse for Adoption

UNI Student Spends Summer Training Horse For Adoption

Linn County Woman Spending Summer Training Unwanted Horse

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!

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!

MHARF horses Sally Forth and Patriot were recently featured in an article from the ASPCA to celebrate the organization’s national Help a Horse Day! Sally and Patriot were among the horses transferred to MHARF from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) after a large humane case in North Carolina. You can read all about it here: After a Life of Neglect, Two Horses Transition from Terrified to Trusting.

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.

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!

CLICK HERE to see the full details of this story!

Photo Credit: Laura Thai

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!