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Grants Through grants, the Minnesota Horse Council provides support to a variety of equine related endeavors. This not only provides support but creates a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the present. The grant program was established with three main goals in mind: ​ In keeping with the MHC mission, help support clubs, associations and organizations. 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. Over the years the MHC has supported many types of projects including Horse Shows, Club/Association Dinners, Organized Trail Rides, Fundraisers, and multi clinician Educational Clinics. To continue the support of the grant program, the Minnesota Horse Council uses the revenue from its Minnesota Horse Expo to provide "seed money grants" for new horse projects or programs or for capital improvements by Minnesota horse groups. In 1991 the Council moved to set up a regular, formalized process to offer grants each year and to have a standard application format and specified eligibility criteria, so that applicants would know what types of projects are supported by MHC. The yearly grants have continued each year to present day with over $1,326,661 for a total of 368 grants since its inception. If interested in applying, please view the application for further details on the grant requirements and application details. ​ ​ Grant Application ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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 Notice: We are aware of an issue with our website being unable to fulfill new membership requests at this time. While we work to remedy this issue, we are able to process your membership and insurance requests over the phone. Please contact the MN Horse Council at (763)-755-7729 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 26th-28th 2024! ​ Minnesota Horse Council Event Calendar GET IN TOUCH Name Email Subject Message Submit Thanks for submitting!

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 Please tell us more about you and your involvement with horses! Submit Thank you! PDF Printable Membership Form Equisure Application & FAQs

Certified Stables The Certified Stables program was established to facilitate through established standards and continuing education the improvement of quality and safety in the stable industry in Minnesota. Moreover, the program acts as a resource and liaison between the horse industry and other areas of agriculture to decrease the costs and increase the quality of products for the stable owners. ​ When a stable becomes certified through the Minnesota Horse Council, they receive a sign to post at their barn, are listed on this website and in the program given to all Mn Horse Expo attendees as certified. Each stable can also advertise themselves as a Minnesota Horse Council Certified Stable. Description of a Certified Stable: A certified stable is concerned with the care of the horse and maintains the facility in order to meet the standards of the Certified Stable Program. The stable managers are proud of their facilities and are constantly seeking ways to improve. Criteria evaluated to achieve certification include the following categories: Condition of animals on the premises Condition of shelter facilities Fire Safety Feed and forage selection and maintenance Condition of paddocks and pastures Plans for prevention & treatment of contagious diseases ​ Goals of the Certified Stable Program: Facilitate through established standards and continuing education the improvement of quality and safety in the stable industry in Minnesota. Act as a resource and liaison between the horse industry and other areas of agriculture to decrease the costs and increase the quality of products for the stable owner. ​ Steps to become a Certified Stable:​ Review our evaluation criteria. (Certified Stables Evaluation ) Fill out the Application Form. (See Application Form) Contact the Minnesota Horse Council for an inspection ​ When applying for certification, stables may be certified, not certified, or placed on a plan of improvement. Stables placed on a plan of improvement have the right to appeal the evaluation by contacting the Chairperson of the Certified Stable Program and scheduling a re-inspection. Only stables in Minnesota can be certified. Rescue facilities or those affiliated with rescues do not qualify for Certification through the MHC Certified Stable Program. (They have their own MHC Certified Rescue program) ​ Certified Stables 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!

Program Activities The Minnesota Horse Council facilitates activities that promote and improve the Minnesota equine community through program activities listed below. Certified Stables Certified Rescues Trails MN High School Equestrian Association Aisle of Breeds MN Horse Expo Minnesota Horse Council Foundation

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

Minnesota Horse Council Foundation The MHC Foundation’s purpose is to provide funding for the charitable activities and priorities of the Minnesota Horse Council. MHC Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a charity under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The MHC Foundation supports the programs of the Minnesota Horse Council. If horses are your passion, consider supporting these initiatives and the development of new ones with a donation or bequest by including MHC Foundation in your estate plan. For more information, please visit the official MHC Foundation website .

Aisle of Breeds The Minnesota Horse Council and the Minnesota Horse Expo, in conjunction with the Minnesota State Fair, has a display in the south entrance to the Horse Barn during the Minnesota State Fair. We have ten stalls (one for supplies) that are decorated for the event. Horse owners volunteer to bring different breeds of horses to the Aisle of Breeds (at no charge) for display and for the general public to view and learn more about the different breeds of horses. Horses usually stay from one to three days. ​ A current Coggins test is required (and a Health Certificate if out of state - except Wisconsin). The owner of the animal (horses, mules, and donkeys) are encouraged to have a table and chairs in front of stalls to provide breed information, and where the horse is from. TV's are welcome. Two State Fair tickets are given each day to the animal owners and there is free parking for horse trailers (no motor homes). The State Fair for 2024 is August 22nd through September 2nd If you are interested in participating contact Gayle Belden Email gaylebelden@mnhorsecouncil.org . ​

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

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. ​ ​ ​