The program horses at The Shea Center are well cared for in the following manner:

• Each horse has its own diet consisting of one of two hay options for lunch and dinner, Timothy hay or Teff hay. We also feed our horses lunch, consisting of hay cubes containing a blend of Alfalfa and Teff hay.
• The horses are fed three times daily and treated with carrots or apples if their diet permits.
• Each horse has its own exercise program. The horses are turned out and walk in a motorized Euro walker, which keeps them moving continuously for 20 minutes.
• The horses go on trail rides with the clients on a Shea Center maintained trail behind the barn which leads to the creek.
• Every ten weeks, during session breaks, the horses have two weeks off. First week the horses get rest and turn out.  During the second week, they return to their exercise/training schedule.

• The horses are consistently schooled by the staff to keep them fit and healthy for their jobs.
• Each horse has its own tack and grooming equipment to ensure proper fit and comfort.
• The horse stalls are 12’ x 24’ to allow the horses plenty of space to move around and are open at the top to give the horses an opportunity to interact and socialize.
• The stall floors are made of a 3-layered foam and rubber material for the comfort of the horses’ joints.
• The stalls are cleaned twice each day and the stall waterers are cleaned daily.
• The stall shavings are cleaned and replenished. All manure and waste is removed daily.
• The horses are seen by an equine dentist twice each year. Larry Kelly, DVM, donates the services.

• Each horse receives a massage as needed by equine massage therapist Sue Graf. Chiropractic work is given by Dr. Butch Quey
• Equine veterinarian services are donated once each week by Richard Markel, DVM.
• Farrier (horseshoeing) services occur every eight weeks at a reduced rate by farriers Rick Rabin and Vic Sebring.
• Farrier services for horses with specialty shoeing needs are performed by farrier Vic Sebring at a reduced rate.
• The horses are groomed every day and some have their neck and bellies shaved (called a trace clip) in the winter due to the heavy coat produced when the days of fall and winter become shorter. Shaving keeps the horses from overheating during work.  In the fall and winter, we blanket our horses at night.