Equine Extension Team at Penn State

06/02/2026

Don't forget that we sell a tick removal kit for horses, including tools, instructions, and information cards to help identify ticks.

A zippered pouch containing instructions for and tools to aid in the removal of ticks from horses.

06/01/2026

Ticks have been terrible so far this year! Learn about how to control them on your farm.

Many species of tick can be found on livestock and horses in Pennsylvania, particularly animals that spend some time in pastures.

05/31/2026

Sunday Funday!

05/30/2026

Check out this interesting episode of Extension Horses' Tack Box Talk podcast about allergy and microbiome testing for horses!

Is it just the May pollen, or is it something more? If your horse is itchy or sneezing this spring, you won't want to miss "The story of allergy and microbiome testing."

We’re breaking down whether these tests are really worth it and how to help your horse navigate allergy season.

🎧 Listen here: https://horses.extension.org/my-horse-has-what-the-story-of-allergy-and-microbiome-testing-are-they-really-worth-it/

05/29/2026

Important tips for controlling disease vectors flies and mosquitos on your farm!

Practical environmental management steps can make a big dent in insect populations around horse farms, often without needing pesticides. 🪰🦟

🦟 REDUCE MOSQUITO BREEDING
• Dump standing water routinely.
- Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. Empty water that collects in flowerpots, buckets, barrels, etc.
- Drill drainage holes in tire swings and keep children’s wading pools empty and stored on their side when not in use.
• Refresh water troughs frequently. Change water troughs at least twice weekly to discourage mosquito breeding.
• Mosquito-proof barns and stables:
- Install and maintain secure screens on windows and doors.
- Use fans (mosquitoes/flies avoid strong air movement because they can’t control flight well).
- Consider lighting choices. In barns, swapping incandescent bulbs for fluorescent-type fixtures can make the area less attractive to mosquitoes.

🪰 SANITATION & FACILITY MANAGEMENT
• Manure and waste handling (sanitation) is foundational. Remove stall and paddock litter and dispose of it properly.
• Stacking manure to reduce surface area is recommended; for small facilities, covering stacks with plastic film can help reduce fly breeding.
• If hay is fed in paddocks, avoid allowing hay to get trampled into the footing/substrate near feeders—flies can develop in that material, sometimes even beneath the soil surface.

⚠️ REMEMBER: not all flies come from your manure pile. “Feed-through” fly products are only potentially helpful if the flies are actually breeding in manure from horses on-site; in contrast, face flies, horn flies, and tabanids do not breed in horse manure, while house flies and stable flies can.

TRAPS & NON-CHEMICAL TOOLS
• Use traps to monitor and help manage flies. Traps can be useful to track fly numbers, but placement matters.
- Put traps where flies are numerous, and for stable flies, as close to the animals as possible.
• Use fans inside barns as pesticide-free protection. This is one of the simplest, most effective barn strategies for flies that enter.
• UV light traps can help indoors. If used, they’re recommended inside barns; avoid placing them outside or running them after dark.

05/28/2026

Have you ever calculated how much hay your horse eats?

Planning your hay needs can be stressful, but this breakdown makes the math easy. Learn the simple step-by-step formula to calculate exactly how much hay you need to buy and store to keep your horse healthy, while minimizing waste.

05/28/2026

Join us for an engaging and informative session where participants will dive into the fascinating world of coat color genetics. This event will cover the essential building blocks of coat color, from base colors and dilution genes to common patterns found across different breeds. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how dominant and recessive traits influence color inheritance, and why some pairings can yield surprising results. With real-world examples and visual aids, this session will help bridge the gap between genetic theory and the horses you see every day, making complex concepts more accessible and relevant.

Registration is required; link is in comments!

05/27/2026

Here is a fantastic overview of gastric ulcers from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

HOW AND WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse of any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers result from the erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid present in the stomach.

Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers. Instead, this condition is often a man-made disease. Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule and high-grain diets can also contribute to the development of ulcers.

Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training, and mixing groups of horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease the emptying of the stomach as well as the blood flow, thus further contributing to the problem.

The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed at removing these predisposing factors, therefore decreasing acid production within the horse’s stomach. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through a gastroscopy. An equine veterinarian should always be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse.

05/21/2026

Do you have a horse with light skin? Protect that skin from sun!

As the temperatures rise and the sun stays out longer, make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your equine protected this summer.

05/19/2026

Body condition scoring is an important way to monitor your horse's fat deposits as his weight fluctuates. The score is on a 1 to 9 scale and can only be determined by palpation, not just by visual inspection.

Understanding your horse’s nutritional status goes far beyond just looking at their belly. In this infographic, we explain the essential science behind Body Condition Scoring, teaching you why a hands-on assessment is critical for determining if your horse is too thin, just right, or carrying excess weight.