In the fall of 2005 Penn State Extension Educators Peter Wulfhorst and Dave Messersmith discussed the evolving and expanding horse industry in Pike and Wayne counties.  There was a strong need to educate horse owners about a variety of topics and provide a forum for horse owners to exchange information with each other.  Thus, the development of a Horse Owners School was initiated to provide a professional development program designed for horse owners and agricultural service providers for equine related services.

The initial Horse Owners School consisted of a series of four evening programs in February and March 2006 where participants learned a variety of topics - ranging from balancing your horse’s diet, horse health, pasture management and building a better horse stall.  Whether a new horse owner, or an “old pro,” there are many things that you need to know to keep your horses healthy and happy, while making horse ownership more enjoyable.  Horse Owner School presenters included local county extension educators, a local veterinarian, Extension Equine Specialists and Extension Agricultural Engineering Specialists.  Those who attended all four sessions received a Certificate of Completion.

The initial Horse Owners School was a success, with over sixty horse owners attending all four sessions.  As a result of attending the school, over ten participants were planning on steps to increase barn ventilation in the next 6 months, thirty-three participants were planning on changing their de-worming strategy in the next 5 months and thirty-two participants will plan to start rotational grazing on their pastures.  In addition, the evaluation of the Horse Owner School by the horse owners provided a set of topics for the 2007 Horse Owners School.

For more information on the Horse Owners School, contact Wayne County Extension Educator Dave Messersmith or Pike County Extension Educator Peter Wulfhorst.

February, 2007