1. sports
2. horses

September 2013
Truhaven Ranch
23677 Cable Ave
Winsted, MN 55395
320-485-2449
TruhavenRanch.org
Tack Auction
In This Issue
October 19
Rescue Update
Page 2
President’s Message
Page 3
Youth
Page 4
Volunteers
Page 5
MHARF Trainer’s Challenge
Page 6
Mulligan’s Minute
Page 7
Live Auction Starting at 10 am
(Indoors)
Fundraiser For MN Hooved Animal Rescue & Truhaven Ranch
(donated items are welcome)
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Over 30 Saddles (English & Western)
Many brand names
Hay Elevator w/motor (27’ 3 pc.)
Misc Harness
Pony Cart (Mid-size)
Single Harness (Amish made, cob size)
Framed Equine Art
Wing Jump Standards
2) Solar Water Tanks
Steel T Posts
Winter Blankets (over 40 New &
used, many colors, size and styles)
DATES To REMEMBER
September 21
Broken Wheel Farm
Trail Challenge
October 19
Tack Auction
Truhaven Ranch
Trail Challenge
November 14
MN Give To The Max
Day
Pony Express
Ride To The Rescue

Cowtown Handmade Sharkskin
Boots (Men’s 8.5)
 Lucchese Western Boots (Men’s 11)
 50 Bags of Hay Biscuits donated
by Square Meal Feeds
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Misc tack, grooming equipment,
supplies, etc.
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Some old, some new
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More items added weekly
Updated List on our website:
Truhaven Ranch.org
Trail Rider Competition
October 19
1 pm
Outdoor course
rain or shine


Novice and Youth Classes
$1000 Gambler’s Choice
Rescue Horse Challenge
For Class Schedule please go to our website:
TruhavenRanch.org
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TRUHAVEN CHRONICLE
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Truhaven Ranch Equine Rescue Update
Truhaven Ranch welcomes back our
youngsters from summer foster care.
They have grown so much this year,
both in stature and in confidence. We
look forward to putting some of them
into training this winter. Others are still
too young and are in need of foster
care. If you are interested in giving a
home to one or more young equines for
the winter please call us at
320-485-2449.
Meridian—6 yr. old
Belgian QH mare
We have turned away so many equines the past
few months that it is breaking our hearts. There just
isn’t room or money for any more.
Thank You for
all your
wonderful
donations
throughout this
past year. You
make it possible
for us to
continue to help
our equine
friends.
Several fund raising events are coming up so
please pass the word to your friends and come out
and have a great time for a great cause! Our next
event is October 19. There will be a tack auction
starting at 10 am plus a trail challenge event
starting at 1 pm featuring our $1000 Gambler’s
Choice Trail Horse Challenge. We are taking
donations of tack and equipment for the auction.
Sponsorships are also available for the prizes
given out at the trail challenge. Go to our website
for more information. TruhavenRanch.org
Macy gives her
first leadline
lesson
Truhaven Ranch’s current list of equines, any
of which would welcome a sponsor.
IN or SOON TO BE IN
TRAINING:
Marquee—40” copper chestnut
pony gelding
Meridian—6 yr. old, 16 hh
Belgian/QH mare
Arizona—6 year old chestnut QH
mare
Lester—4 year old bay pony-size
john mule
Abbott—4 yr. old mini john mule
Sugar & Spice—13 hh chestnut
Haflinger mares
Rook—48” 8 yr. old black Hackney pony mare
Raven—46” 12 yr. old black Hackney pony mare
Rascal - 12 yr. old black mini john mule
Echo & Fancy—Bay 50” ponies
Greta—15 hh, 3 yr. old chestnut molly mule
TRAINED & READY TO ADOPT:
Sadie—14 yr old chestnut Saddlebred mare
Trixie—13 hh chestnut QH pony cross mare
Serena—48” chestnut Hackney/Haflinger mare
Macy—50” Chestnut pony mare
Doc’s (MHARF) - 7 yr. old cremello QH gelding
Sarge—15 hh bay QH gelding
Sarge
GROWING UP:
Barrett—2 yr. old roan gelding
Bentley– 2 yr. old black john mule, already 16hh
ALF—2 yr. old chestnut pony john mule
Echo—48” , 2 yr. old bay pony gelding
Fancy—48”, 3 yr. old bay pony mare
Falina—2 yr. old roan molly mule
Dolly- - 2 yr. old ch. Haflinger cross molly mule
IN REHAB:
Floyd & Fridley—Pair of bay john mules
Merrylegs—POA pony mare
Wylie—pony john mule
Thelma—13 hh molly mule
Pearl—13.2 hh molly mule
Most of the above equines are available for
adoption.
PERMANENT RESIDENTS: (Not available for
adoption, but would love to have a sponsor.)
Ghost—4 year old white jenny donkey
Koko—4 yr. old black mini donkey
Kodee—3 yr. old dun mini donkey
Buttons—8 yr. old black pony mule
Josey—18 year old john mule
Please check out our dates on the back page for
fun activities coming up this fall.
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TRUHAVEN CHRONICLE
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President's Message by Sarah Smith
We Love Our Foster
Families!!!
I would like to recognize and extend my
thanks to our amazing foster families.
This summer, Truhaven had 17 equines
that were fostered off premise. Many of
the fostered equines were youngsters in
need of some “growing up time.” The
efforts of our foster families gave our
young rescues a place to call home for
the summer where they could run and
play and munch on yummy pasture
grass.
The kind generosity of our foster
families helped us get through a very
difficult time at the ranch. We are truly
appreciative of their efforts.
Winter Hay Campaign. I would
like to send out a special appeal to all of
our Truhaven friends to consider
making a donation to our hay
campaign. We are hoping to raise
$7500.00 by October 31, 2013 and need
your help. You may make a donation
by mail or by using the PayPal link that
is on our website
(www.truhavenranch.) You may
also visit Truhaven’s Facebook page
and click on the “Winter Hay Fund”
link which allows you make a
donation using Razoo.com.
Please share the “Winter Hay Fund”
link on our Facebook page with your
friends and families. Every dollar
counts and is sincerely appreciated.
Off site fostering also helped us to
stretch our hay and feed dollars a bit
further. This was particularly critical
the last few months as our hay funds
were completely exhausted following
the long winter not to mention the
additional 27 equines from the Fillmore
case that came to us last December in
very poor condition.
Without funds for hay . . . we cannot
take on any more animals. We are
getting 2-4 inquiries a week right now
for equines needing a place to go
before winter.
FYI: It is currently costing $5,000 plus per
month to feed the 50 or so rescues residing
here.
Happy Trails,
Did you know………

$20.00 buys 4 small square bales
and feeds 1 miniature horse for 4
weeks

$100 buys 1 round bale and feeds
1 horse for 3-4 weeks

Truhaven Ranch has
990 likes on Facebook,
Just think, if all of our
Facebook friends
donated at least $1.00
we could purchase at
least 10 round bales for
our rescues.
Sarah
SQUARE MEAL FEEDS
The digestive system of the equine has done very well on a diet of forages found in plentiful supply in their natural environment. Man tamed these
animals and used them for transportation, other work tasks and today for pleasure. The taming of the horse also changed its living space.
Today’s horse is usually housed in a controlled environment. Horses’
available feed and room to run is controlled by man. An equine can bring a lot
of enjoyment to the horse owner. Thus, riding a healthy well-cared for equine
can be a pleasant experience for both.
We now know that feeding and housing a horse as close to their natural environment is the best place to start. The ability of a horse to move about
freely and to graze at will, always results in a happier horse.
Truhaven Ranch has been feeding Square Meal hay for 6 months; we have seen amazing weight gain on our newest rescues
(without grain products) and the rest of our equines are happy munching all day.
Please contact Candy to find out more and to purchase this wonderful product. 320-224-5454
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Truhaven Ranch Youth
Committed To Educating Equines and Humans, 4 Hooves and 2 Heels at a Time.
OUR VISION
Using the structured environment of
a working stable, we create
In addition to rescuing,
individualized programs using the
rehabilitating and training rescued help of rescued equines, to educate
equines; Truhaven Ranch strives
and develop core values for at-risk
to assist disadvantaged and atyouth
risk youth from the Greater
Minnesota area to get an
education.
YOUTH GOALS
 To learn responsible behavior skills
via equine-assisted interaction
 To build confidence and selfesteem, while gaining empathy
and respect for others
 To encourage achievement and
develop positive relationships
WHY EQUINES?
The program at Truhaven ranch
teaches students self-discipline,
patience, perseverance and attention
to detail, while building self-esteem
and encouraging the development of
individual thinking and problem
solving. These qualities become
values which can be drawn upon
throughout life.
In working with the rescued equines
and other ranch critters that call
Truhaven Ranch home, youth are
introduced to the concept of service
and making a difference. They learn
to respect and value animals and
develop a love of nature.
More than just riding, our program
promotes respect for animals and
humans alike.
In developing core values such as
empathy, patience, responsibility,
confidence and commitment we assist
in supplying the tools for youth to
develop positive relationships and to
be productive members in their
community.
We also offer:
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Pony Parties
Day at the Ranch Programs
Ranch Visits
Meet Truhaven Ranch Critters
Riding Lessons
Essentially Equine Basic Training
Outreach is available through lectures
for groups, tours, special events, our
website and our newsletter, The
Truhaven Chronicle.
Groups are welcome to visit by
appointment.
Just give us a call: 320-485-2449
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TRUHAVEN CHRONICLE
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VOLUNTEERS, We Love You!!!
We would like to take a little space here to recognize and thank the many volunteers that have been helping out
this past year with our youth as well as with the mundane everyday tasks.. We recognize that cleaning up
poop, pulling weeds, mowing and cleaning are not glorious jobs, however, they are jobs that must be done.
These people have generously given their time and energy so that we can keep operations running smoothly
and concentrate on working with our equines.
We whole heartedly thank you!
ADULTS
Jodi Martinez
Darla & Mark Eichhorn
Nancy Shamla
Mary Niece
Sarah Stovern
Kathy Stovern
Ellen Geiser
Kim Spudic
Jeanette Albers
Lisa Van Pelt
Cody Hull and fellow Vet Tech students
Emily Rizer
Conrad Flemming
Dr. Carl Larson

YOUTH
Amanda Olson
Jiana Posusta
Samantha Voigt
Brittany Morain
Taylor Niece
Grant Kugath
Gavin Kugath
Casey Van Pelt
Dominique Van Pelt
Savannah Hummel
Emma Smith
Autumn Spudic
Tiahna Flemming
Zack Sureth
Truhaven Board of Directors
Anne LeClaire
Sarah Smith
Cynthia Glock
Sandra Peterson
Betsy Kitslaar
A special thank you goes out to our board
of directors , Dr. Carl, Tiahna Flemming,
Nancy Shamla and Mary Niece for taking
time out of your already full schedules to
assist us this past winter after the Fillmore
Rescue .
We would also like to thank all of you, both youth and adults, who have been here for a few hours
or a day to help and we didn’t get your name down.
PAGE
6
TRUHAVEN RANCH At MHARF TRAINER’S CHALLENGE
Truhaven Ranch participated in the MN Hooved
Animal Recue Foundation Trainer’s Challenge
with four equines on August 17 at the Leatherdale
Equine Center at the University of MN.
There were fourteen equines in the event this
year. Eleven were adopted out at the event or
within the next week. This is a huge
accomplishment. KUDOS to the Minnesota
Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation (MHARF)
and the excellent group of volunteers who put this
event together every year!!!!!
Candy & Casey Tibbs
Packing It In for the
Freestyle
Porsche and Sarah
Place 3rd in the
Halter Class.
Gaston (Rodger
Dodger) and
Melissa
Place 6th in
Freestyle,
4th in Trail
Melissa & Gaston (Rodger Dodger)
Three of our animals came from the Fillmore 55
rescue last December. The mules have been really
tough; gaining their confidence and trust took much
longer than most horses. On April 15, we could barely
get a halter on Tibbs and you couldn’t touch Porsche
behind her withers. Gaston (Rodger Dodger)
underwent cryptochid castration surgery and was on
100% stall rest for four weeks in June. We are
incredibly proud and awed by what these equines
accomplished this summer.
Porsche and Casey Tibbs were the first mules to ever
participate in this event and both found new homes.
Gaston (Rodger Dodger) was adopted out a week after
the competition. All of us are finding it hard to let go
of them and get back to work. There is definitely a
void, but it will soon be filled by others. It Is, After All,
What We Do.
We believe that this progressive MHARF training
program is the most exciting rescue equine event in
the nation, showcasing what four months of love, time
and training can accomplish with these animals. We
will be ready to step up again next year. In the mean
time, there are many more awaiting training and their
turn to become some one’s BFF.
Sarah & Porsche
Tiahna & Flurry
Gaston in the Freestyle with Candy
Candy & Casey Tibbs
Anne & Porsche
VOLUME
2,
ISSUE
5
PAGE
7
Mulligan’s Minute
Greeting fellow supporters of Truhaven
Ranch. Hope ya'll are staying cool in this
strange weather we have had lately. I'm
trying to rally all the residents to help me
dig a pool in the back yard so I can cool off
in it. The humans keep yelling at me
saying something like “You’re digging up
grass” and “quit pawing”, whatever that
means.
In this issue of my minutes we are going
meet Miss Bella. She is one of the wisest
horses here at the ranch. She has many
stories to tell you but I had to limit her
input to a few stories as the space is
limited for my little column. I'll let her
write in her own words......
horse trailer.
know the word
"action" and it's
A little trick I've learned throughout my
meaning...which is take
travels, especially with my BBF Shy, is if
off full speed and look
there is an unusual looking river, stream
crossing or mud hole that we are not quite wild. Apparently this word is not to be
used when giving a new rider a lesson, not
sure about, you always make an
sure why.
unsuspecting gelding go first to test the
waters. I usually tell them a little fib about My favorite treat is horse muffins, which,
what a great opportunity this is to show
by the way, have been few and far between
the humans how awesome they are, when as of late. I don't like my old grain
in fact we are just making sure it is safe for because it tasted like sawdust. Now that
us to go through. (It’s also a good idea to sweet grain which I was on in 2009 to gain
let the geldings go first if there are bears
weight was absolutely delightful.
Bella
Hello, my name is Bella. My mom is
Sarah, the president of Truhaven Ranch.
She does a great job because I taught her
everything she needs to know. Also her
husband's name is Checkbook and he is
very nice, although he doesn't understand
why I need to keep up with all the latest
fashions and have new halters for each
season.
Now, for more about me. I am typically
the lead horse anywhere and everywhere I
go. Why? Well, because 9 times out of 10 I
know exactly where I'm going and I also
know how to get back home or to the
My current job is to take care of a
herd of young mules, I am trying to teach
them the ropes of life and that humans are
good and they won't be mistreated ever
again.
Mulligan says he needs to put in his tip for
this issue, but I have decided to take over
and put my own tip in.....Mom, where are
my muffins. Go online and order them,
now! That's my tip.
Come visit me at the Ranch.
around.)
I was written about in a book and I am the
equine star in the "Ash Land " series that
Conrad is currently working on . I also
I hope you enjoyed the visit with Bella.
Take care, until next time,
Love, Mulligan
Definitions of Donkeys and Mules
Donkey--A unique equid of special qualities,
with long ears, a distinctive bray, hard hooves,
and a great deal of stamina and strength.
Jack--A male donkey.
Jennet or Jenny--A female donkey.
Mule--A cross between a jack and a mare. A
mule normally is sterile.
Hinny--A cross between a
stallion and a jennet. Like the mule, a hinny
normally is sterile.
John--A male mule.
Molly--A female mule.
I’m a
Donkey
SAVE THESE DATES
23677 Cable Ave.
Winsted, MN 55395
320-485-2449
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President
Sarah Smith
4889 Iten Ave.
Howard Lake, MN 55349
612-723-8383
Vice President
Cynthia Glock
5525 Colfax Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55419
773-991-7430
Secretary
Treasurer
Anne LeClaire
8506 210th St.
Silver Lake, MN 55381
320-224-7128
September 21
Broken Wheel Farm Trail Challenge
October 19
Halloween Trail Challenge Event
MHARF/Truhaven Ranch Tack Auction
(donations welcome)
November 14
MN Give to the Max DAY
TRUHAVEN RANCH
PONY EXPRESS Style
“RIDE TO THE RESCUE”
Board of Directors
Betsy Kitslaar
6121 Ridgeway Rd.
Edina, MN 55436
612-799-1525
Executive Director
Candy Phillips
23677 Cable Ave
Winsted, MN 55395
320-224-5454
Equine Manager
Melissa Norton
23677 Cable Ave
Winsted, MN 55395
763-639-7883
TruhavenRanch.org
September Featured Rescue - Macy
Macy is a 6 year old,
50” Welsh type pony.
She is very gentle and sweet,
suitable for a walk/trot rider or as a
family pony. We believe she was
trained to drive double and we
have been riding her regularly. She
is still a bit green under saddle, but
shows no bad habits or issues.
She is ready to consider a new
adoptive “forever” home.
Truhaven Ranch is incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit entity.
Truhaven Ranch does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.