Michigan Foxtrotting Horse Association

07/20/2026

RIP George Ostrom. We appreciated your service to our country and to our humble association. May you ride the trails in Heaven forever free.

07/17/2026

Yes!

The American Horse Council would like to make members aware of a recent update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care program regarding implementation of the Horse Protection Act (HPA).

On July 1, USDA-APHIS Animal Care released an open letter to industry stakeholders outlining plans to begin collecting blood and pastern swab samples at Horse Protection Act-regulated events involving Tennessee Walking Horses and racking horses. According to USDA, the sampling is intended to gather information on the prevalence of prohibited substances.

At the request of industry at the American Horse Council Conference in Washington, D.C. in June 2026, the sampling and reporting will not include personally identifiable information about horses or their owners, trainers, riders, or custodians. USDA has indicated that only aggregated findings will be shared publicly.

Link in comments to USDA's open letter

07/11/2026

For this National Day of the Horse:
Post your favorite pictures of your horses.

07/10/2026

If you feel hot, your horse feels even hotter.

Horses have a much harder time processing heat and humidity than humans. And among horses, foals usually cannot handle as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day.

Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will also be more susceptible to heat exhaustion. Keep in mind that exercise is a major source of body heat and strenuous work on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.

Does this mean you should not ride on a hot and humid day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use common sense. And remember: don't push it! If your horse looks tired, it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.

06/29/2026

How will you keep your horse cool this week?

06/10/2026

How much does your horse weigh?

06/09/2026

Post pics of your horse adventures lately.