On the horse stall signs “hands” is part of the description, such as 14.2 hands or 15.4 hands. Horses are measured from the ground to the horse’s withers (at the shoulder blades, about where the mane ends on the back). The hand is a four-base system of measurement. If...
Most horses at The Shea Center wear conventional horseshoes, but there are many shoe types including therapeutic shoes that help distribute a horse’s weight and help with balance issues or arthritis. Although horses typically wear steel horseshoes, special...
The Shea Center horses and ponies serve more than 250 clients during each session in our therapeutic riding programs. Each horse has its own diet consisting of Alfalfa and Timothy hay and fresh water. The horses are fed three times daily and given carrot or apple...
If you haven't read part one yet, check out The Good Life of Our Horses - Part 1 here. We keep The Shea Center program horses in top condition by providing excellent orthopedic, chiropractic, dentistry, massage therapy, and general health care. To ensure its...
Check out this behind the scenes video of Dante painting. In the video, staff member Carola utilizes several simple tools to help Dante create a masterpiece. Dante, like so many equine artists, finds joy by expressing his feelings through painting! ???? Having been...
During the winter a horse’s natural coat helps protect it from the elements and keep it warm throughout the cold and wet winter months. This is great for horses that live outdoors with little or no exercise, but for most horses, such as our therapy program horses,...
Most of our horses are generously donated by individuals. Because not all horses are good candidates for a therapeutic riding program, each horse goes through a thorough trial period for up to 120 days. A program horse candidate must be calm, react positively to...
Vic has been a farrier (horseshoer) at The Shea Center for 14 years and does specialty shoeing for some of our horses. By frequently consulting with The Shea Center's vet, Dr. Markell, Vic has been able to meet the needs of our horses that have hoof-related issues....
Did you know that the “dirt” on the floor of the arenas is actually called “footing”? Did you know that The Shea Center has access to beautiful trails behind our property? Learn more below. About the Arena Footing Footing is the sand mixture that looks like dirt...
Most of our horses are generously donated by individuals. Because not all horses are good candidates for a therapeutic riding program, each horse goes through a thorough 90-day trial period. A program horse candidate must be calm, react positively to human...