Minnesota Horse Council

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day, everyone.

06/03/2025

Important information for the current weather in MN.

🔥 Wildfire Smoke & Horse Health 🐴💨

As wildfire season heats up, so does the risk of poor air quality — not just for us, but for our horses too. Smoke from wildfires can irritate a horse's respiratory system and cause fatigue, coughing, difficulty breathing, etc.

You can monitor air quality at www.airnow.gov. During periods of poor air quality, you can protect your horse by:
🐎 Limiting exercise
💧 Providing fresh water
💦 Controlling dust such as watering dry lots and soaking or feeding dust-free hay
🕰 Allowing time for recovery: airway damage from wildfire smoke takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal after air quality returns to normal.

05/29/2025

Check out your pastures and areas around your horse for this.

05/26/2025

Remembering on Memorial Day

05/18/2025

Second Minnesota horse develops neurological disease from common respiratory virus
St. Paul, Minn. - On May 6, 2025, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (the Board) received notification of an Olmsted County horse exhibiting neurological signs and subsequently tested positive for equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). EHV-1 is highly infectious between horses and can develop into a neurological condition known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

The 20-year-old mare became ill on May 1, 2025. Within three days, the horse was exhibiting neurologic signs – dragging her right hind leg. Following the recommendation of their veterinarian, the animal was transported to Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine for treatment where it was diagnosed with EHM on May 6, 2025, based on a positive EHV-1 test and the presence of neurological symptoms. This case comes on the heels of an unconnected instance of the condition in Washington County. Multiple cases continue to be identified throughout the United States.

05/15/2025

Here's is a great checklist for equine owners.

Hello equine friends!

While summer☀️ brings longer days and warmer weather, it also brings summertime storms⚡️🌪⛈🌩☔️

Having a disaster plan for ALL types of weather should be in place at all equine facilities.

Check out this Disaster Planning Checklist courtesy of our friends at AAEP!

05/14/2025

For Northern MN equine owners who may need to evacuate.

05/13/2025

Looking for something to wear? Check out the MN Horse Council Sportswear. Here is the link that easier to access than through the image. https://mnhorsecouncilswag.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Minnesota Horse Council Apparel 2025
Online ordering for Minnesota Horse Council Apparel 2025 ends on Mon, Sep 1, 2025 (11:59 PM CDT)

05/12/2025

Good information to know.

05/11/2025

Happy Mother's Day to all moms today.

05/07/2025

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀

To negotiate trot poles sucessfully requires increased momentum, flexion of all the limb joints, power and spring.

Trot poles encourage your horse to push equally from behind, and are an excellent exercise for developing an equal stride length and for improving symmetry, straightness and coordination.

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝟭.𝟮 - 𝟭.𝟳𝗺 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁

05/07/2025

Given the recent quarantine in Washington County, please review the information on monitoring your equine friends.

On April 25, 2025, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed a case of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in a Washington County horse. Horses on the property have been quarantined to help prevent disease spread. The affected horse is receiving supportive care. To learn more, visit: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3df2a25

🛡🐴 Good biosecurity can help protect your horse—and others—from disease.
Curious about EHM? Looking for biosecurity tips?
👉 Learn more at z.umn.edu/ehv