Did you know that horses have around 205 bones and 700 muscles? A unique fact about horses is that their eyes are set on each side of their head, allowing them to see about 350 degrees. Due to this anatomical distinction, a horse's depth perception is less than that...
Approximately every 4-6 weeks, the farrier visits The Shea Center to trim and shoe some of our equine members. Horseshoes, typically made from aluminum or steel, protect the horse's hooves and offer additional support during work. A horse's hoof is...
Groundwork is fundamental in a horse's training and learning. It refers to any work where the person working with the horse is on the ground. Groundwork can be through leading, long lining, or ground driving. Every program staff member participates in...
Out of the 28 program horses in the current Shea Center barn, there are 13 breeds. The most popular breeds are American Quarter Horses and Gypsy Vanners. Each breed brings its unique gait and movement, providing various options for clients. The youngest horse in the...
Seven sun pens are scattered across the property. They are designed to allow horses to interact, groom one another, sunbathe, and roll freely outside their stalls. Each pen has a hay bag and water bucket where the horses can slowly graze and stay hydrated while they...
On average, The Shea Center program horses serve for about ten years before retiring. When looking for new program horses, the preferred age is between 6 and 15 years old, allowing many optimal years of serving our clients. Many factors are considered when pondering...
Some of The Shea Center's equine members are shaved/clipped during the winter and summer. Shaving the horse's entire body helps them cool down quicker after being worked and stay cool during the hot summer months. For fun, some horses get fun clipped designs. However,...
We encourage all staff and volunteers to carry and use a dressage whip when necessary for horse leading and riding. Here’s why: In natural horsemanship, there are four natural riding aids: voice, seat/weight, leg, and hand/rein. When leading a horse, we use these...
The Shea Center Program currently houses 28 therapy horses acquired through purchase, donation, or loan. These horses possess diverse backgrounds in disciplines such as dressage, jumping, western, English, reining, arena work, or trail riding. While many horses are...
Walking through the barn at The Shea Center, you may notice that some stalls have “low starch treat only” or “no treats” signs. Every program horse is on a specific diet consisting of hay and supplements (donated by Platinum Performance), but adding treats is a fun...