Penn State Extension offers equine pasture management course
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension is offering an online course titled “Fundamentals of Equine Pasture Management,” designed for current and prospective horse farm owners and farm managers.
The course covers how to manage pastures to benefit horses and the environment.
This course is ideal for individuals who are dissatisfied with their current pasture conditions or those looking to establish high-quality pastures on new properties. Although tailored for Pennsylvania horse farms, most concepts are applicable to farms throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states. Participants will learn about the benefits and potential drawbacks of grazing, common pasture grasses and legumes, and their nutritional values at different growth stages.
Registrants will learn to:
• Identify the benefits and hazards of pasture grazing for both horses and the environment.
• Identify and use different types of forages.
• Understand the differences between continuous and rotational grazing and design a grazing management system that works for their pasture.
• Assess soil health and correct soil fertility issues.
• Determine when pasture renovation is necessary and understand the renovation process.
• Manage weeds through integrated weed management techniques.
• Recognize common plants toxic to horses and when they are most dangerous in a pasture.
This self-paced course incorporates readings, educational videos and interactive elements to teach the basics of equine pasture management. Participants will have access to a downloadable workbook to apply course concepts to their own pastures. Knowledgecheck questions are included throughout the course, along with supplementary resources.
The course is divided into eight sections, each concluding with a short quiz. Participants must achieve a score of 80% or higher on the quizzes to pass the course and receive a certificate of completion.
Registration for the course is $99, granting participants 365 days of access. More information and registration details are available on the Penn State Extension website.