Testimonials

Midnite Gamble: Still Going Strong!

April 10, 2017

Midnite Gamble (Gambler) continues to do well. He is holding his own physically and still a delight to everyone who knows him.
Over the winter, our barn owner was moving him around in the indoor arena with his two gelding herd mates. She uses a stick with ribbons & flags attached. One evening, Gambler marched into the arena, to the “scary” corner (never for him!) and grabbed the stick and chased the other two fellas around. He is a rascal!

I hope all is well, and thanks for the wonderful work you all do on behalf of horses.

Julie B. H.

Big Tee and His Perfect Home!

March 25, 2017

When I adopted Tee I was only 12 and he was 14 years old. He was extremely malnourished when he came to MHARF. He was distant and his training level was unknown. Over the last 10 years Tee has become my best friend and an important part of our family. On May 15 he will turn 23; however, everyone is shocked to hear his age. He is healthy and energetic with the biggest personality I have ever seen. He loves staring at his reflection in the mirror, learning new tricks, nodding for his nightly grain, and going on trail rides. He has been on trails, to game shows, and back and forth to friend’s houses, and has been the perfect horse to grow up with. Now that I am going to college in London, he stays at my family’s house where my nine year old sister looks after him while I am away. He is the perfect caretaker for her as she learns to ride and care for him. We couldn’t have asked for a better horse! Thank you! –Mikayla

In Memory of Honey

March 19, 2017

Sadly we received news that the great old mare, Honey, had to be put down. Honey originally came to MHARF from a 2013 case involving an abandoned herd from a failed breeding program. Honey was the herd matriarch. She went into foster care with Lynn Secord and Catherine Master, where Sara Sedgwick met her and adopted her. Honey had made new equine friends in her foster home and she was lucky enough to stay boarded there after Sara adopted her. We want to thank Sara (who also sent us a very generous donation in memory of this sweet mare!), Catherine and Lynn for everything they did for this old broodmare who certainly deserved to live out her last years in peace, health and happiness! We are truly blessed to have people like you involved in our program! The following is a portion of the email we received form Sara: ” I lost Honey last night. Catherine, Lynn and I were with her at Anoka Equine telling her how much we loved her as she passed… Monday morning she went down in her stall when I brought her in to feed her. Catherine dropped her whole day of work and we had the vet out early, tried some pain meds and we sat in the paddock all day. She got worse and we brought her to the hospital. Her symptoms were varied and perplexing as time went on. Blood tests, ultrasounds, multiple vets…they kept trying. Neurologic, skeletal, immune problems, blood clots??? We will never know. They called me last night–she was worse– they were kind enough to let us come and be with her.

Honey brought me so much! She was gentle, kind, funny, snuggly and a joy. How she came to me– I am sure she was a gift from my long term horse Dixon. I wonder if he knew he was giving me a wonderful friend in a horse and bringing me together with Catherine and Lynn and their wonderful horses who I could not possibly love more.
I have so much gratitude to you at MHARF and all you do. I hope you know the extent of the gifts the work you do brings? I hope you do.

I will spend extra time with Zicha (27 year old Saddlebred adopted from MHARF in 2016). Catherine and Lynn will let me continue to do some chores and spend time at their farm a couple times per week. We will spread Honey’s ashes in her favorite pasture and sit in the dirt and sip coffee or a cocktail remembering Honey and celebrating the silly group of girls that will likely be in our back pockets.”

Catherine sent us the picture of Honey under the flowering crab tree along with the message “I will miss this girl–she was the crowd favorite with visitors here. So friendly and gentle. She was very loved.”

Piper: Love and Patience Pay Off!

January 20, 2017

Here is an update on Piper we received from her adopter, Wren. We want to say thank you to Wren for sticking with this very nice mare through the first more difficult months! We can never stress enough that horses, whether they are adopted or purchased, are all living, feeling beings with minds of their own. Most of them come with baggage from the past that they can’t tell us about. Responsible owners are those that are willing to give them the time they need to settle in, learn to trust, and learn just exactly what it is we want from them. If we are willing to give them this time and patience (and yes, it can often mean working with a trainer!) then they reward us by becoming our willing partners. Well done, Wren!

“One year ago I started a long eventful journey with my first horse. Piper has been a wonderful project who has taught me and continues to teach me more and more everyday we work together. Our journey started off quite rough. For the first two months I was terrified to ride her, let alone go and work with her as something usually went wrong. We had issues from rearing up to bucking under saddle due to her lack of wanting to work. She was unhealthy and out of shape, making exercise unappealing. Piper struggled with many trust issues as well as anxiety over lack of food stemming from when she was starved as a yearling. Piper’s favorite thing to do is jump, don’t let her size fool you, she clears 2’9 with ease. We enjoy jumping together and plan to go to attend a few schooling shows this upcoming summer. She has gained a huge amount of trust and respect for me over this past year. It amazes me how much of a different horse she is, she loves to work and enjoys giving kisses for peppermints. This past year has gone by quickly and I couldn’t have asked for a better horse!” –Wren

Twizzler (formerly Ian)

October 7, 2016

twizzler-ian The lovely horse standing with such pride in this picture is Twizzler (Ian). He rocked his costume and he and his little girl won Most Elaborate in the costume class. They also won first place in their dressage class. Not too shabby! I think he thought he looked nice in his flower garden costume! -Sarah R.

Violet (formerly known as Dynasty)

August 18, 2016

Violet When we first met Violet her coat was bad and bald in places, she was too thin and had a detached expression on her face. She wasn’t what you’d describe as a pretty horse but something more like majestic. We liked her right away and wanted to take her home. Violet is very smart and quickly picked up on and took advantage of our inexperience. For example, she would push past us at gates, refuse to pick up her feet, stand still, and refuse to be led. This behavior earned her the nicknames “Freight Train” and “Violent”. All joking aside, we knew we needed help and we hired a trainer and sought advice from experienced horse people. Once we learned how to communicate and be leaders, it did not take long for Violet to accept us as her “bosses”. She is now the most affectionate, gentle, loving mare of the herd. She loves attention and often seeks it out. She will come close and put her big head on your chest and just breath. Or she will walk up slowly and position her body to be sure you pet just the right spot. And my very favorite thing of all: she will put her chin on your shoulder and gently pull you into her chest while you are scratching her neck. She is also great to ride with a smooth trot and lope. She is calm and confident and very compliant; I always feel safe on her. Also she is patient and gentle when we give “pony rides” to the kids who visit. Violet has blossomed here and is now healthy and content. Long gone is the detached expression. She can frequently be seen playing and frolicking with her herd, Willow, Perdita, and Honey (all MHARF alum!) She is a very special horse, a one in a million, and we love her dearly. Thanks to all who have helped us on our journey: Everyone at MHARF, Cindy Werronen, Aubreanne Dockter, and Scott Boe! –Catherine and Lynn

Violet at intake

Vegas (formerly known as Reba)

August 14, 2016

Here’s Vegas (formerly known as Reba) killing it in halter class (July 2016). She took third out of fifteen! –Andrea

Rest in Peace, Willow (formerly known as Golden Girl)

July 26, 2016

Hello MHARF family,

Because you were all part of her life, we wanted to let you know of the passing of our sweet Willow (aka Golden Girl). She had bad arthritis in her neck and up until recently, we were able to keep her comfortable with anti-inflammatory meds and massage therapy. With this management, she seemed content and able to do her natural “horsey” things and be a part of the herd. But ultimately, the arthritis progressed to a point where we could no longer keep her comfortable. We were watching her closely and we knew the time had come when one day, she didn’t want to go out in the pasture with her sisters. Something she had done with enthusiasm every day. With heavy hearts we called the vet and made an appointment for the morning. On July 9th Willow passed away peacefully in her favorite pasture surrounded by all who loved her. Including her sisters, Violet, Perdita and Honey, who stood silently watching over her until she was gone.

Although Willow had a quiet personality, she projected a powerful presence in our barn. Her passing left an empty space and we miss her dearly. But we are comforted by the knowledge that she was happy here, she was loved wholeheartedly and we did our best to give her the best care possible.

Thanks for bringing her to us, we will always be grateful for having that sweet mare in our lives.

Some pictures of happier times attached.

Willow’s guardians,

Catherine Master and Lynn Seacord