Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition - MHWC

10/07/2026

Get horses ready for winter with this helpful checklist from AAEP.

🍂 Crisp mornings are a sure sign that fall is here, and it's time to start checking items off your horse care to-do list! 🍂

Our Fall Care Checklist covers some of the essentials, and here's a little more on why each one matters:

💉 Fall vaccinations: Vaccine recommendations vary by location and individual horse, so talk with your veterinarian about what your horse needs this season.

🪱 Parasite control: Parasite risks and the best deworming approach differ depending on where you live. Your veterinarian can help you design a program that fits your horse and your region.

⚖️ Evaluate body condition: Thick winter coats can hide weight changes, so use your hands as well as your eyes. Assess condition now so you can plan any changes to your winter feeding program ahead of time.

🦷 Dental care: Good teeth help your horse chew and make the most of forage, which becomes even more important when pasture quality drops. Regular exams with your veterinarian are key.

🩹 Check your first aid kit: Replace anything expired, restock supplies you've used, and make sure your veterinarian's number is easy to find. A routine check now means you're ready when you need it.

❄️ Colic prevention: Cold weather can change how much your horse drinks and eats. Watch closely for changes in appetite and water intake, and call your veterinarian if something seems off.

And the to-do list doesn't end there! Don't forget to:

🧥 Repair and waterproof your horse's rugs: Fix tears, replace worn straps, and re-waterproof now so they're ready before the first cold, wet day.

🌾 Secure and store your hay properly: Keep it dry, covered, and off the ground with good airflow to help prevent mold and spoilage.

🏠 Assess your shelters for safety and soundness: Look for loose boards, protruding nails, roof leaks, and drainage trouble spots so your horses stay protected all winter long.

Not sure where to start? Your veterinarian can help you build a fall care plan tailored to your horse. 🩺

Save this post for later and share it with a fellow horse owner! 💙🧡

10/07/2026

Informative classes from the U of M on horse care topics!

📆📢🐴 Mark your calendars for the 2027 Online Horse Certificate Courses!

✨ Registration Coming Soon! ✨

Whether you’re ready to sharpen your horse skills, explore something new, or take the next step toward your goals, we have a course for you! Our expert-led, semi self-paced courses offer six weeks of learning from anywhere with an internet connection.

📆 January 4 to February 14
💰 $75 per course
🍎 Open to everyone but tailored for learners ages 18 and up
❓ Check out FAQs: z.umn.edu/horsecertificatecourse

2027 Lineup of courses ⤵

🦠 Horse Biosecurity
🍁 Poisonous Plants
🚜 Manure Management
🪣 Ration Balancing
♻ Horse Mortality Composting
🌱 Pasture Management
🌾 Growing and Feeding Hay
🐴 Basic Horse Nutrition

10/05/2026

You do not have to own a horse to protect one 🐴⁣
⁣
𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻:⁣
⁣
1️⃣ Volunteer a skill or a few hours with an equine charity near you.⁣
⁣
2️⃣ Share a credible resource, adoptable listing or horse-first story with your community.⁣
⁣
3️⃣ Support an organization whose transparency and horse-care practices you have reviewed.⁣
⁣
Protection begins with participation. Choose one action today, then invite one friend to join you.⁣
⁣
💙 Find an organization near you: https://equusfoundation.org/network/network-search.php

10/05/2026

Here are some essentials on loading horses from University of MN Equine Extension program...check out this post to learn more and remember:
Slow down. Think twice. Be safe.

🐴⚠️ Confined Spaces: Loading & Unloading Horses Safely

Loading and unloading a horse from a trailer can put people in a tight, unpredictable space, where a few seconds of inattention can lead to injury. Here are a few safety tips to consider.

🔦 Check the trailer first. Make sure flooring, ramps, doors, dividers, and lighting are safe and functioning properly. Address any hazards like wasp nests or sharp edges.
🗣 Communicate clearly. Always let someone know when you're loading or unloading horses. If something goes wrong, they can respond quickly and get help.
🚪 Know your escape route. Keep the trailer door, ramp, and your exit path clear. Stop and reposition yourself if you lose your escape route.
👀 Stay aware of your horse's position and body language. Avoid being in the horse's direct path. Position yourself where you have room to move easily. Do not rush.
🐴 Always use a well-fitted halter with a lead rope to load and unload horses. Never wrap the lead rope around your hands or body.
👥 Don't overcrowd the trailer. Keep the areas in and around the trailer clear of unnecessary people and other horses. If someone is helping, communicate their role (e.g., securing the butt bar) beforehand and identify a safe position, where they can stay out of the horse's path and maintain their own escape route.

The goal isn't just to get the horse loaded or unloaded; it's to make sure everyone walks away safely. Slow down. Think twice. Be safe.

10/05/2026

In just a few weeks, advocates from across the country will gather in the Rocky Mountains with one goal: building a better world for equines. 🐎

This October, The Homes for Horses Coalition, a network of equine rescue, sanctuary, and animal welfare organizations managed by the Animal Welfare Institute and American Wild Horse Conservation, will host its biennial national conference in Denver, Colorado, bringing together representatives from dozens of equine rescues throughout the nation.

During the conference, scientists, specialists in equine policy and protection, rescue professionals, and others will share their expertise and practical advice on a wide range of issues that impact equine welfare. The packed agenda also includes a visit to Colorado Horse Rescue, an exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary Throw Away Horses, and opportunities to meet and collaborate with fellow equine advocates.

There’s still time to register, but don’t delay: Registration closes on October 2. We can't wait to see you there!

10/01/2026

Kudos to our friends Animal Folks!

10/01/2026

Essentials for equines...Friends, Forage, and Freedom

The Three F's of Equine Welfare - Friends, Forage & Freedom

Courtesy of Mad Barn

09/29/2026

What are the toxic plants for equines in autumn? Here are a few...

09/29/2026

Great info about fall grazing guidelines from U of M Equine Extension.

🍂 When Should You Pull Horses Off Pasture for the Season? 🐴

Timing depends on weather and pasture condition, but here are a few key things to watch:

🌱 Forage Availability: Stop grazing when grasses average 3 to 4 inches tall. Overgrazing will weaken plants, reduce spring growth, and leave horses more likely to nibble on potentially toxic weeds or wilted leaves (e.g., maple).

🌡️ Air Temperature: Cool-season grasses thrive in the fall but stop growing after a killing frost (temps below 28°F for several hours).

💧 Footing: Wet, muddy pastures can’t handle hoof traffic. This can damage plants, compact soil, and reduce spring growth.

⏰ Transition to Hay Gradually 🐴

Microbes in the horse's gut need time to adapt to a new forage type. Aside from moisture content, hay and pasture may also differ in species and maturity, which affects nutrient content and digestibility. When possible, slowly add hay to your horse's diet across a two-week transition period to help lower the risk of colic or digestive upset.

For example, a healthy 1000-pound horse will consume about 20 pounds of forage daily. On pasture, they will graze about 1.5 pounds of forage per hour. Thus, during a transition period, 1.5 pounds of hay can be added and 1 hour of grazing time removed each day until 20 pounds of hay is reached on day 14.

Monitoring forage availability and weather will be key to timing out your transition. If pastures become too sparse, you will need to provide additional hay.

✅ Keep monitoring pasture conditions and weather.
✅ Provide clean water and free-choice salt.
✅ Protect your pasture for a strong spring rebound!

09/28/2026

Santiago is up for adoption through the ASPCA Right Horse! Beautiful and sweet and available for adoption 🐴❤️