PastureWise Equine is a hands-on educational program designed to help horse owners develop healthier horses, more productive pastures, and more resilient grazing systems. Through a combination of classroom instruction and interactive field demonstrations, participants will learn how soil, forage, and horse management work together to support equine health and pasture sustainability.

This year, the program will be offered in THREE locations around the state! All programs will run from 8:30 am - 4:30pm, and a $20 registration fee per person will include lunch. 

1. Thursday, August 27th at Hoge Farm Stables, 3589 Glade Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060
2. Friday, September 18th at Oakdale Equestrian Center, 5719 Cartersville Rd, Powhatan, VA 23139
3. Friday, October 30th** Rapidan Equine Sanctuary, 31262 Eagle Hl Trl, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

The program will feature three educational tracks:

Plant: Participants will explore the fundamentals of agronomy, including how grasses grow, root system development, pasture evaluation, grazing heights, weed identification, and rotational grazing principles. Field demonstrations will highlight real-world conservation and pasture management practices, such as fencing livestock out of waterways, water crossings, rotational grazing systems, and pasture improvement strategies.

Animal: Instruction will focus on equine nutrition, hay analysis interpretation, forage intake, and diet formulation. Participants will learn how to select appropriate hay for their horses, collect hay samples for testing, understand foraging behavior, and recognize how metabolic concerns and body condition impact nutrition management. Hands-on activities will include hay evaluation and body condition scoring demonstrations led by equine professionals.

Soil: Participants will gain practical knowledge of soil testing, fertility management, and soil health principles that support productive grazing systems. Interactive demonstrations will cover how to collect soil samples, interpret soil test reports, and understand the connection between soil health, forage production, and pasture performance.

Youth are welcome and encouraged to attend! Youth must have a responsible adult present for the entirety of the event, with a registration. 

If you are paying online, please visit https://tinyurl.com/PWPayment If you are paying via check, please mail a check made out to the "Treasurer of Virginia Tech" to: Amelia Extension Office PO Box 229 Amelia, VA 23002