Equine Extension Team at Penn State

09/03/2026

Struggling with mud? You can install all-weather turnout pads by gates, sheds, and waterers to stabilize those areas and give your horses somewhere dry to stand. Or you can do the whole paddock! It is a big project, but absolutely worth it for ease of travel, horse hoof health, and environmental protection. We have a series of 3 fact sheets about these all-weather turnouts. Here is the first.

Equine farms with limited acreage should have an all-weather paddock and manage heavy use areas.

09/02/2026

How many of these hay storage tips do you follow?

🌾 It’s that time of year! Stocking up and storing hay for winter is an important investment, so don’t let your hard-earned hay wither away.

☔️ Cover Outdoor Bales – Use a tarp or durable plastic cover to cut storage losses by half. For round bales, net wrap or B-wrap protects better than twine.

🐁 Water & Animal Proof Your Storage Site – Avoid stacking hay under a leaky roof, which can lead to mold. Plug rodent holes and keep out wildlife — they can move in for the winter and make a mess. F***s from some wildlife can spread diseases to horses.

🪜Keep Hay Off the Ground – Store indoor and outdoor bales on pallets to allow air flow under the bales and help prevent moisture absorption from the ground. Hay stored on wet ground can cause up to 50% spoilage.

⏰ Use Older Hay First – Properly baled and stored hay can last indefinitely, but should be fed within two years of harvest. High humidity and temperature swings can increase the moisture content of hay and reduce its storage life.

🌳 Store Round Bales Smartly – When storing outdoors, place round bales end to end and do not stack them. Stacking round bales stored outdoors can increase losses by trapping moisture and limiting drying from the wind and sun. Avoid storing bales under trees or in low-lying areas.

Check out z.umn.edu/storinghay to learn more!

09/01/2026

Our next round of Equine First Aid Workshops is open for registration! Hurry, these fill up fast.

September 12: Westmoreland County
October 10: Dauphin County

$45 per person, starter first aid kit is included. Practice taking vital signs, wrapping legs, and listen to a veterinarian discuss equine emergencies and when to call the vet.

Register: https://extension.psu.edu/equine-first-aid

08/31/2026

Have you ever checked out New Bolton Center's collection of recorded webinars? They are all incredibly informative and cover a wide variety of veterinary topics!

If you missed one of our New Bolton Center First Tuesday lectures, you can watch them here.

08/30/2026

Sunday Funday!

08/28/2026

Donkeys have different nutritional needs than horses. They are much more metabolically efficient and get overweight easily.

While donkeys and horses are both equines, donkeys require a different diet to keep them at a healthy weight and avoid health problems.

08/27/2026

Do you know the core vaccines that all horses should get? This is particularly important now during mosquito season!

08/26/2026

Virtual Horse Hay Workshops are back!

🔷October 6 & 8, 2026, from 6:00pm-8:00pm.🔷

Join Penn State Extension equine and agronomy experts to discuss everything about horse hay. This two-night online workshop is designed for horse owners seeking to better understand hay and its role in equine nutrition. It is also useful for hay producers who sell to horse owners. The first session will cover how hay is produced, safe storage practices, and practical considerations for buying and selling. The second session will focus on interpreting hay analysis, the impact of mold and toxic plants, and the role of sugars in equine diets.

The sessions will each be recorded and emailed to all registrants in case you can't attend live. Only $10 for the entire series!

Register: https://extension.psu.edu/horse-hay-workshop

08/24/2026

Summer is winding down, and it's an excellent time to think about your pasture management. This article covers soil testing, mowing, w**d control, grazing management, using dry lots, and pasture renovation. It's a great primer and hits all the major points. If you have specific questions about your farm, reach out to us! We can help!

Proper pasture management leads to high quality, productive pastures that can supply excellent nutrition for horses.