About Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation, Inc. (MHWF)

Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation started in the spring of 2001 with one basic idea, to run a true adoption and rescue program, done the right way, with our emphasis being on honesty and the well-being of the horses in our care, not on numbers or money. With that in mind, we wanted MHWF to be 100% volunteer, no paid salaries, and 100% of all funds going directly to the care of the horses. We have always stuck to this way of doing things. At MHWF you can expect us to place the horses in the right home, not just any home, and we do not let the horses leave before they are ready. Every horse that leaves fully evaluated, vaccinated, and with a current Coggins, etc. With everyone at MHWF being a volunteer, we can also also keep our adoption fees low.

Our Volunteers

Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation would be nothing without our volunteers and donors. These are the people who have kept MHWF going for over 20 years. We consider our volunteers family as well as friends and when you come to an MHWF function, that will be very apparent. We all truly like each other and admire each other, which plays a huge part in what makes MHWF successful and long-lived. When you work with an MHWF volunteer you will find them to be honest, easy to work with and professional, while still being very laid back. MHWF volunteers are people who not only share a passion for their work, but also make people feel comfortable and that they are with friends. If you have been here, chances are you have already met one or two of these wonderful volunteers: Christine A., Sandy K., Karin H., Terri M., Jurita L., Deb W. Len & Donna R., Chloe D., and Cassandra S., just to name a few.

When you correspond with MHWF it will probably be with either Scott or Karen Bayerl, Co-Directors of Midwest Horse and the people who live at the facility and do most of the daily chores, answer the phones and emails, update the website, take the photos and coordinate MHWF events.

Scott Bayerl

Scott Bayerl is the Founder and Co-Director of MHWF and has been with MHWF since day one. Chances are that if you have come to meet horses or have inquired about donating a horse, it was Scott who you spoke with. Scott decided to start MHWF after working with another organization, learning the ins and outs and wanting to do it better, with honesty and organization.

Scott is a postal carrier with USPS, working 6 days a week delivering the mail. In the afternoons, and on Sundays, Scott helps with chores, holds appointments, answers phone calls and emails. Much of his time is spent repairing things and keeping our facility clean and functional. 

Karen Bayerl

Karen Bayerl came to MHWF in 2003 and has played a major role in making MHWF what it is today. Not only did Karen bring years of experience as President of the local Humane Society for many years, but she also brought in fresh ideas and a great deal of the things that you like about MHWF were probably her ideas. In 2006 Scott and Karen were married and have been sharing the duties of Co-Directors ever since. Karen has worked for many years as a medical transcriber and editor, which gives her a lot of flexibility in her hours, something crucial to keeping a program like MHWF going.

Our Mission

The Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation is dedicated to providing qualified homes for any horse in need. It is our goal to make certain that every horse placed in our care is provided with all the necessary ingredients for a safe and happy life, and that it is also protected from those who would do it harm.

Each horse placed in our care will receive our full efforts to ensure that it never ends up in the auction ring or on the slaughterhouse floor. We promise to do our best to provide only the best homes with dedicated families for every animal we place.