"Things are Changing," is the title of an exciting horse owners' two-day short course being offered by Penn State Cooperative Extension offices in Mifflin and Juniata Counties and the Penn State Extension Equine Natural Working Group. It will be held on Oct. 9th and 23, 2010 at the Penn State Learning Center-Lewistown from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. EDT each day.

The equine industry across Pennsylvania and the nation continues to grow and expand. Equine research is providing exciting new information that is generating many changes in recommendations for equine management practices along with new environmental rules and regulations that affect horse owners. Participants in this two day short course will be made aware of new and emerging information that will benefit their horses and their farm's environment.

Some of the topics that will be included in the short course are:

• "New and Proposed Environmental Regulations for Horses"

• "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Equine Pastures"

• "Growth and Biology of Grasses for Equine Pastures"

• "Setting Equine Pasture Management Goals"

• "Renovating Equine Pastures"

• "Equine Pasture Soil Fertility"

• "Weed Management for Equine Pastures"

• "Toxic Plants that are Harmful to Horses"

• "Stream and Water Resources"

• "Equine Nutrient Management"

• "Hay Quality for Horses"

During the afternoon of the first day an in-the-field pasture walk will be conducted to allow participants a hands-on experience using the Penn State horse pasture condition score sheet and Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc. Each participant will also learn how to take a soil test and properly utilize the test results. Participants will each receive a soil test kit for use on their own equine pasture