Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition - MHWC

12/27/2024

12/25/2024

Happy Holidays from your friends at MHWC! 🐴🎄

12/21/2024

Have a good weekend from MHWC! 😄

12/20/2024

Merry Christmas to all of our donkey friends out there!

What do donkeys need at Christmas? We answer a few of your questions here.

12/19/2024

Senior Horses - Living the Good Life

https://thehorse.com/193423/senior-horses-and-living-the-good-life/

12/19/2024

Sign up for the UMN Equine Extension Program newsletter - great info on all things equine!

Did you know the UMN Extension Horse Program offers a free, monthly e-newsletter? Each e-newsletter includes a timely content article; a research update; an ask the expert; information on upcoming UMN Extension events; and the infographic, YouTube video, and podcast of the month. To sign up for the free e-newsletter, visit: https://z.umn.edu/horsenewsletter

12/17/2024

Good info from UMN Equine Extension Program! 🎄

Holiday cheer can lead to unexpected disaster in horse barns. Identifying fire hazards can help keep you and your horses safe this season.

🔥 Reconsider stringing lights in the barn. String lights can present a fire risk when they don't meet specific safety standards or are left on for long periods of time, susceptible to damage (e.g., rodent chewing), used with extension cords, or strung near flammable sources (e.g., hay, bedding). Additionally, leaving lights or cords within reach of horses can increase the risk of electrocution.

🎄 Say no to holiday trees in the barn. Holiday trees are highly flammable, especially once the needles dry and begin falling off. Instead, consider decorating a live tree elsewhere on your property.

Be mindful of other winter-related fire risks in the barn.

🪣 Heated buckets: always unplug heated buckets when they are empty or not in use. When not filled with water, heated buckets can overheat and start a fire.

⚠️ Heat lamps and space heaters: avoid using heat sources near flammable materials such as hay or bedding. These heating elements are often unprotected and produce enough heat that, on contact, can start materials on fire if they fall or tip over.

🔌 Extension cords: you should always limit extension cords to short-term use. When using an extension cord, make sure it is appropriate for the job. Check the type (indoor or outdoor), wattage rating, physical condition, and proof of independent laboratory testing. Never drive vehicles or equipment over cords.

When in doubt, work with a professional electrician to make sure the wiring in your barn is up to code such as having ground fault circuit breakers, which can greatly reduce the risk of fire.

12/13/2024

What's the best day? Today! Because it's National Horse Day!!! Have a happy one from MHWC!

12/13/2024

National Horse Day is here!!!

Happy National Horse Day! 🐴

Today, we celebrate the incredible contributions horses have made to our history, culture, and economy. Did you know that horses contribute approximately $177 billion to the U.S. economy?

As the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect time to think about gifts for the equestrians and horses in our lives. The American Horse Council recently shared a podcast episode featuring unique gift ideas, including books, riding gear, and even experiences like tours of equine sanctuaries.

What's on your holiday wish list this year? Let us know, in the comments below! 🎁

Listen to the podcast now: https://horsecouncil.org/holiday-gifting-for-horses-and-humans-for-december-3-2024/

12/13/2024

MHWC is starting early, because National Horse Day is tomorrow! It is celebrated on December 13th every year and was established by Congress in 2004 to honor the many contributions horses have made to the United States, including their roles in the economy, history, culture, and agriculture. 🐴

12/09/2024

And must post this today...happy Monday all!

12/07/2024

SeaQuest tells the court it currently has more than $16.6 million in liabilities compared to less than $700,000 in assets.

12/07/2024

Check the MHWC table at Horse Crazy Market today and shop for fantastic gifts! https://www.horsecrazymarket.org/

12/07/2024

Read about the freedom ride and our friends at This Old Horse!

The freedom ride.

Elsa and Anna are on their way home to us from an insufferable situation in Louisiana.

Between them, they earned $200,000 and had six foals. They were born one day apart in 2010.

Beautiful, athletic, successful mares of every breed are often selected as broodmares. They pass along their incredible genetics and are their offspring's primary ‘caregivers.’

They are invaluable…until they aren’t.

When broodmares are no longer ‘productive,‘ they are often too old to attract much interest in retraining for a sport horse career.

What do you do when the old gray mare just ain’t what she used to be?

Care for her, respect her, and revere her contributions to the sport and the breed.

And love her. That’s what we’re going to do.

Welcome to our family, Anna and Elsa.

For the record, this photo was taken after they were loaded in the trailer before they left. The trailer was not moving at the time, and the windows were latched during the entire trip.

Thank you, RACE Fund, Inc. Brandon Day, and Willow Falls Farm, for helping us receive the blessed gift of these good girls.

Love is good.

12/06/2024

How true. Have a great weekend friends!

There is something about the gentle wisdom in a horse's eye that can put even the most troubled soul at peace

12/06/2024

Find the MHWC table at Horse Crazy Market today and tomorrow!

12/06/2024

Have some fun this weekend, and go to Horse Crazy Market - starts today!!

We are 1️⃣ day away from the start of Horse Crazy Market!!! We are decorating the halls 🎄and vendors are beginning set up today!! See you tomorrow!!

12/05/2024

Good info on for our donkey friends!

❄️Are your donkeys prepared for the cold temps this winter??
Check out this helpful infographic from American Association of Equine Practitioners for some quick facts about donkeys!
For a more detailed look into how to care for donkeys through winter, take a look at The Donkey Sanctuary's webpage! https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/for-owners/owners-resources/care-of-donkeys-through-winter