University of Wisconsin - Extension

Horse owners can learn how to establish and maintain a horse pasture by participating in a University of Wisconsin-Extension on-line, web-based course. The course will begin Feb. 15 and run through June 15.

After enrolling, horse owners can work through 20 lessons on a variety of topics. In addition they will be able to ask questions of UW-Extension personnel, who will monitor the course daily.

Topics covered include assessing pasture needs, body condition scoring, nutritional needs of horses and ponies, grazing nutrition, pasture improvement, pasture renovation and development, pasture management, weed identification and control, multi-species grazing, and fencing design and materials. The course is designed for pastures in the Midwest United States. The course is for adults, but youth are welcome to participate.

To participate in the course, you will need an Internet connection with Version 5.5 or higher web browser (either Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer), Windows 98 or higher operating system, a CD reader and an e-mail address. Participants will receive lessons on a CD. Enrollment is limited to the first 75 people who register.

The course will use an interactive Desire2Learn web-based program and will feature announcements related to timing of pasture management events throughout the session. Those who enroll in the class can share questions and concerns with others in the course.

The deadline for course registration is Feb. 1. The registration fee is $75. Additional family members can register for $25 if they share the reference manual. For a registration form, please contact Shelly Minick at 608-846-1825 or by email at Shelly.minick@ces.uwex.edu . Course registration information is also available online at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/horse .