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Certified Rescue As aid to those individuals that want to donate time, money or resources to equine rescue facilities, the Minnesota Horse Council believes it is imperative to identify and recognize rescues that meet standards of care. In order to become certified, a rescue facility must show they have non-profit status (501 (c) (3)) and that they meet or exceed the AAEP guidelines for equine rescues and retirement facilities. The Minnesota Horse Council lists the following stables and rescue organizations that meet its certification guidelines but does not warrant or endorse these organizations for any other purpose. To date, these rescue organizations have met our standards: Sundown Horse Shelter in Hugo www.sundownhorserescue.org Contact: Cherie Mackenzie MN Hooved Animal Rescue in Zimmerman www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org Contact: Drew Fitzpatrick This Old Horse at Wishbone Ranch in Hastings www.thisoldhorse.org/wishbone-ranch Contact: Nancy Turner Haven Acres in Hampton https://www.havenacresmn.org contact: Jennifer Heath If you are a rescue facility that would like to be certified, please contact the MHC Horse Welfare Committee at welfare@mnhorsecouncil.org .

ABOUT THE MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL Join MHC and make a difference! Our member stables, saddle clubs, breed organizations, tack shops, businesses and horse people represent over 7,000 horse lovers in the state. Your membership in the Minnesota Horse Council will help us foster growth in and promote a vibrant Minnesota equine community. The MHC stays in touch with members through its monthly newsletter, "For Horses Sake," which is also mailed to other state horse councils, state and national publications, tack shops, local, state and federal agencies, various media, and other interested individuals and groups. Your membership in the Minnesota Horse Council will help us foster growth in and promote a vibrant Minnesota equine community. Join now, using the form below! Become a Member Today! Application Information: Select an item ($) * Family - $31.00 Family Membership & Equisure - $72.00 Individual - $26.00 Individual Membership & Equisure - $47.00 Youth (Under 18) - $16.00 Business/Corporation - $36.00 Certified Stable - $46.00 First name Last name Email Address Phone How did you find out about us? Select an option Volunteer Interests Aisle of Breeds Disaster Response Expo Horse Welfare/Humane Treatment Promotion/PR/ News Therapeutic Riding/Programs for Riders with Disabilities Trails Other Are you a New or Existing (renewing) member? New Existing (renew) Please tell us more about you and your involvement with horses! PDF Printable Membership Form Equisure Application & FAQs Submit Thank you!

MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL WELCOMES YOU! ABOUT THE MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL Our Mission The Minnesota Horse Council, a non-profit corporation, encourages and supports equine-related activities, concerns and education. Founded in 1935, the Council began as a vehicle for horse owners and exhibitors to coordinate horse activities with the Minnesota State Fair Board. Since then the Minnesota Horse Council has evolved into an umbrella organization uniting and supporting equine activities throughout the state. Programs Exceeding Your Expectations Membership Join the Minnesota Horse Council and make a difference. Your membership in the Minnesota Horse Council will help us foster growth and promote a vibrant Minnesota equine community. Programs The Minnesota Horse Council promotes and supports the Minnesota horse industry through a variety of activities and funding mechanisms. Resources The Minnesota Horse Council provides links and information the MHC has considered relevant and accurate for MN horse owners and enthusiasts. Join us for Minnesota's largest equine trade show and breed exhibition April 25th-27th 2025! Minnesota Horse Council Event Calendar GET IN TOUCH Name Email Subject Message Submit Thanks for submitting!

ABOUT MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL Goals and Objectives Promote and/or support equine educational activities. Strengthen and facilitate communication among horse-related groups. Provide expertise, consultation and advice in horse -related matters . Board of Directors The Minnesota Horse Council is guided by up to 17 directors who each serve a three-year term. Ann Graney Hoffmann, President 952-469-4640 anngraneyhoffmann@mnhorsecouncil.org Gayle Belden, 1st Vice President 763-439-1675 gaylebelden@mnhorsecouncil.org Darrell Mead , 2nd Vice President 612-860-4645 darrellmead@mnhorsecouncil.org Dawn Moore, Secretary 612-819-1708 dawnmoore@mnhorsecouncil.org Elissa Lindsoe, Treasurer 612-819-4512 elissalindsoe@mnhorsecouncil.org Karen Clark 763-682-5324 karenclark@mnhorsecouncil.org David Fleischhaker 651-402-5512 davefleischhaker@mnhorsecouncil.org Sandy Helgeson 612-275-5016 sandyhelgeson@mnhorsecouncil.org Judy Jensen 763-972-6397 judyjensen@mnhorsecouncil.org Trina Joyce 612-729-7798 trinajoyce@mnhorsecouncil.org Doug Persian 763-242-5570 dougpersian@mnhorsecouncil.org Meg Sax 320-761-3990 megsax@mnhorsecouncil.org Tracy Turner, DVM 651-440-1964 tracyturner@mnhorsecouncil.org

Trails Over 10 years ago, the Minnesota Horse Council recognized that horse trail issues were becoming an ever-larger part of its activities, significant enough that the Council decided to form a sub-committee to help provide support and financial backing for the maintenance and development of equine trails. This was the start of the MHC Trail Blazers. The MHC Trail Blazers works to support state trails by acting as a liaison in two main areas: We represent horse people in various statewide trail organizations. The Trail Blazers has been actively involved in organizations such as the MN Recreational Trail Users Association and the MN Parks & Trails Council. We also represent equestrian trail users before the Minnesota Legislature on matters such as landowner liability on trails and appropriations for parks and trails funding. We serve as a liaison between government bodies and local trails organizations. The Trail Blazers have developed good relationships and contacts with the MN Department of Natural Resources and the federal wilderness area managers. We recognize that we cannot ourselves deal with each trail state-wide; that is best done by the local trail user groups. What the Trail Blazers can do is provide advice to local trails groups, put them in contact with the right trail manager, and when necessary, intervene with someone at the state office. Application procedures To begin the application process, please call of the Trail Blazer members list below. The procedure for applying for trails assistance varies depending on the project. Through the direct contacting process, we can then tell you what information is needed to apply for Minnesota Horse Council funds to assist in your specific trails project. There is no specific deadline for submitting requests for funding; each request will be evaluated as it is received. Our Trails committee will try to give a preliminary response within 1 month of receiving the request for funding. However, trail work is frequently done in cooperation with the state or federal government, or as matching funds. Major trail projects often require lengthy planning and approvals; projects sometimes take 2 to 3 years of planning before actual work on the trail begins. For more information/resources regarding trails in Minnesota please visit the DNR Horseback Riding information page . Also visit the Minnesota Horse Pass page to see more information regarding Horse Pass information and purchase options.

Information and Resources relevant for horse owners and enthusiasts. Resources Programs for Riders With Disabilities Equine Education Opportun ities Riding Lessons Equine Indoor Facilities Horse Rentals/Trail Rides Disaster Response Team MN Horsemen's Directory

Sponsorships The MHC Promotions Committee will sponsor equine events. The purpose of the sponsorships is to: Promote the Minnesota Horse Council to Minnesota horse people and make them more aware of the MHC programs. Obtain more memberships by having membership sign-ups at events. In keeping with the MHC mission, help support clubs, associations and organizations. Types of Events: Horse Shows Club/Association Dinners Organized Trail Rides Fundraisers Educational Clinics where more than one clinician is speaking/teaching (The MHC does not sponsor individuals.) Sponsorship Application

Horse of the Year Every year the Minnesota Horse Council honors and recognizes a horse for their outstanding service. Each application is evaluated based on the described service and impact the horse had on the industry or those around them. There is no age or breed limitations. Active and retired horses are also encouraged to be nominated. If you know of a horse that should be considered for the Horse of the Year, please use the application below to send in you nomination! Horse of the Year Application Horse of the Year The Minnesota Horse council would like to congratulate the Recipients of the Horse of the Year Award horse for their outstanding service to the horse industry. 2023- Lesson Horse: Black Horse 2022 - Therapy Horse: Echo 2020 -Community Service Horse: Sinclair 2020 - Therapy Horse: Royal Jade Lady 2019 -Lesson Horse: Glitter 2016 - Lesson Horse Chocolate Chip Kisses 2016 - Therapy Horse: Buddy 2014 - CH Heirrevenerent 2013 -Therapy Horse: Joker 2013 - Lesson Horse: Sweet William 2013 - Service Horse in Memoriam: Spirit

Direct Funding The Minnesota Horse Council Direct Funding Program will send a check for up to $500 to any non-profit horse-related organization to help cover the expenses of a program or activity they organize which advances the goals of the Minnesota Horse Council . There is no specific deadline for submitting requests for funding; requests will be evaluated as they are received. Our goal is to complete this evaluation and send a letter of acceptance or rejection to the submitter within 30 day s of receiving the request. Direct Funding awards are normally paid after the project is completed. This will be arranged between the recipient and the Horse Council Treasurer. Direct Funding awards must be used within 6 months. Your organization can only receive this funding once per year. Direct Funding Application

TEEFA Temporary Emergency Equine Feed Asssitance In 2008, a longtime Minnesota Horse Council member, seeing a need for financially strapped horse owners, set up a donation station at his place of business. In early 2009 he approached the MHC with $400 that had been donated. He asked the MHC to manage the distribution of the funds. Thus the Temporary Emergency Equine Feed Assistance (TEEFA) committee was formed. TEEFA is run by a committee made of up MHC Board members. The committee relies on individual donations and fundraising efforts by groups and organizations such as 4-H, FFA, etc. to help raise additional monies needed to feed hungry horses as well as funds from the Minnesota Horse Council (beginning in 2014). There is assistance available for those horse owners facing temporary financial hardships which may affect their ability to feed their horses. Feed assistance is provided by direct payment to the vendor for feed or hay. All information received from the applicants will be kept confidential. TEEFA Application

Minnesota Horse Expo The Minnesota Horse Expo is a long-standing beloved event sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council which began in 1982. For 42 years, the Minnesota Horse Expo has offered a variety of vendors, exhibits, Equine clinicians/presenters, and many more exciting opportunities to educate horse owners and horse fans. Visitors can choose from clinics and lectures, demonstrations, vendor exhibits, walking through the horse barn, horse and pony rides, carriage rides and more. The expo is a not-for-profit event sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council. The funds generated by the Expo are used support MHC's scholarships, grants, direct funding and trail improvement grants. Over the years, more than three million dollars has been raised at this event, primarily through the efforts of volunteers. Your support of the Minnesota Horse Expo has a significant impact on.... Please visit the Minnesota Horse Expo website for information and the Minnesota Horse Expo Facebook page for highlights and updates on the upcoming Expo!