Equine Learning Center
Pennsylvania Farm Show 2025
The ELC completed another successful farm show. We, again, counted visitors to the booth at two separate times and then calculated an estimated total visitors to the booth conservatively 55,000 to 57,000. It is interesting to note that every year we have return visitors take an annual picture of their kids. I know there is at least one that has been there annually for 12 years.
Our day started at 7 a.m. and finished at 8 p.m. We had 3 horses (Pete, Jake and Zachary) working 1-hour shifts through the day from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. We also had Edward, the burro, who is always a popular attraction. He has replaced Jethro who has passed away. And the final horse was a North American Spotted Draft mare who has participated since she was a yearling. She is now 5 years old and was due to foal in two weeks.
One day we did not have sufficient volunteers to safely operate the booth. It was a bad weather day. We were available to answer questions in the booth for the entire day. Thankfully, the crowds were light.
I would like to thank all of the volunteers.
Skip Seifert
skipaleta@aol.com
The Program
The Equine Learning Center (ELC) is the Pennsylvania Equine Council’s (PEC’s) educational program targeted at new and prospective horse owners. It provides handouts of science-based information about the care and costs associated with horse ownership. It also provides valuable facts concerning the unwanted horse problem so potential buyers understand the ramifications of purchasing an equine. The Equine Learning Center debuted at the 2007 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Since then, subsequent Farm Shows, the York Fair, Penn State University’s Ag Progress Days and a horse celebration by the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh have hosted our program. In 2015, the Bloomsburg Fair has agreed to host our ELC.
The Stars
The stars of the Equine Learning Center are the live horses. These patient partners-in-teaching stand quietly while hundreds of eager little and not-so-little hands stroke and pat them. The ELC is built so that children young and old can safely touch our equine friend. To make this possible we have built a deck attached to a 3-rail fence. On the deck there is a large step along the fence on which the children stand to pet the horse. This system safely keeps the children from getting stepped on and also prevents them from slipping beneath or behind the horse.
The Display
The display at the ELC touches on basic care, including teeth and hooves. It also has an assortment of equine related accessories and equipment. There is a quiz book that tests the equestrian’s knowledge.
A real equine skull is the Station’s second-biggest attraction. This skeleton teaches about equine teeth, brain location, shape of the horse’s mouth and how the use of a bit has developed over time to accommodate the natural large gap between the incisors and the molars.
Agriculture is the largest industry in Pennsylvania and the fastest growing segment of that industry is involved with equines. The PEC strives to help the equine community in our Commonwealth grow and thrive. The ELC, by reaching new and prospective horse owners, allows the PEC to distribute information addressing responsible ownership, costs, basic care and shelter as well as liability issues, nutrient management and accountability in land use and stewardship.
The PEC would also like to thank this year’s sponsors for helping the ELC grow!
Learn more about sponsorship
Assembling the Equine Learning Center
PHOTO GALLERY
