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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 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!

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 guidelines are available at aaep.org . 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 review the guidelines at aaep.org and contact the MHC Horse Welfare Committee at welfare@mnhorsecouncil.org .

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

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 . ​

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!

Pioneer Award The Minnesota Horse Council honors worthy individuals posthumously with the Pioneer Award, and places his or her photo on a special wall in the Coliseum on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for that year. The person to be nominated should be special, someone who has contributed in the past to the horse industry in Minnesota, and who was a model for others. ​ Of course, the Minnesota Horse Council directors do not know all the horse people from the past, so the person who is selected for the Pioneer Award is usually nominated by one or more people who did know them and recognized the nominee as worthy of this honor. ​ Some Selection Criteria: Long term, serious commitment to equine activity in Minnesota. May be either professional or amateur horseperson. Should have contributed in many areas, for example, western shows, English show, 4-H, Little Britches or High-school rodeo, trails, carriage driving, equestrian legislation, clinics, or other equine related activities. (This should be not just within a single breed or discipline, but many areas.) Usually the individual will have been a horse owner for many years, although it certainly is not a requirement. (They could have worked "behind the lines" to great achievement.) The individual is deceased. The nominee had excellent character. The individual will likely be remembered by members of many horse-related groups, and perhaps even by the general population. ​ Application Procedures Write a letter nominating that special individual. Clearly indicate reasons why the person meets the above requirements. Be accurate; facts will be checked. Include only information that you personally know about, don't repeat "stories" about this person unless you were there when it happened. Ask others who knew the individual to also send letters telling why they think the person should be given the Pioneer Award. But don't flood the committee with similar letters. Try to get letters from people who can give other examples of why the person should be selected. Ask people from other breeds or equine disciplines to send in letters. Board Resolutions from equine organizations are also acceptable, but it's often more impressive to the committee if instead each member takes a minute to write down one personal example that shows why they think the individual should be selected. Include in the letter contact info for the family member(s) who will be available to accept the award (their name, current address and phone number (including area code), and email (if they have one).) Send your letter to this address (postmarked by July 1st): ​ Pioneer Horseman Award Committee Minnesota Horse Council P.O. Box 96 Monticello, MN 55362-0096 ​ or email Pioneer@MnHorseCouncil.org Past Pioneer Award Recipients The Minnesota Horse council is honored to r ecognizes the Pioneer Award recipients for their legacy and lasting impact their lives have had on the individuals as well as the horse industry . 2024 - 2023 - Tom Tweeten 2022 - Melvin (Bud) Dorsey 2021- Bill Villella 2021- Nancy Elizabeth (Eastman) Duggan 2019- Gloria Enger 2018- Vic Myers 2016- Lloyd Landkamer 2015- Barb Ahrens 2015- Reed Kettlewell 2015- Irv Parker 2013- Louise “WeeZee” Miner 2012- Larry Oatman 2011- Walt Westman 2011- Richard F Bol 2011- Selmer Jacobson 2010- Lyle Anderson 2009- Norm Strohfus 2008- Stanley D. Sahlstrom 2007- Earle Dickinson 2006- Bill Robbins 2005- Max Bon Bluecher 2004- Ronald Charles Davis 2002- Paul John Riley 2001- Daniel Gainey 2001- Wade Page

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 .

Recognition The Minnesota Horse Council recognizes and honors outstanding individuals and horses in the Minnesota equine community through the awards listed below. Horse Person of the Year Horse of the Year Pioneer Award

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. (See Application Form) 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. If you are interested in participating contact Gayle Belden at gaylebelden@mnhorsecouncil.org . 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 2024 Certified Stables List

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 ​ ​ ​

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