HAT Chat Articles – May 2005

 

 

A word from our President

 

2005 has turned out to be a pretty interesting year so far.  It’s still springtime, but I feel like I’ve already been through four different seasons – Foaling season, Breeding season, Training season, and now Show season.  Problem is, with no really set dates for any of them to begin or end, they all tend to run together.  That makes for some really busy times around my barn!

 

Speaking of shows, did you make it out to our Spring Show on April 17th?  We couldn’t have asked for a much better day to hold an outdoor event…clear skies, decent temperatures, and just enough of a breeze to keep everyone cooled off as the day went on.  The turnout was really good as well, with several people coming out for their first-ever HAT show.  Congratulations to everyone who received ribbons for their efforts, and especially to Janessa Dutton and Charlotte Barrier for taking home the high point awards.

 

I would also like to offer a very special “thank you” to Sally Thomason for her hard work in putting this show together, and to all our many volunteers who helped to make it a great success.  Good job!

 

 

Roger Dougan

HAT President

 

 

HAT Spring Show A Success

 

It was a bright, beautifully clear and warm day – absolutely perfect weather for HAT’s 2005 Spring Open Show on Sunday, April 17th.  On a day fit for doing pretty much anything, some 53 different competitors came out and spent the day with HAT at Loy Lake Park in Denison.

 

As a special benefit, HAT members (as well as other participants who joined HAT or renewed their memberships at the show) had their grounds fees waived.  Several individuals used the opportunity to sign up as HAT members for the first time, and we welcome them to our group!

 

Our judge for the show, Gaye Hixon, put everyone through their paces, starting with halter classes in the morning and pressing on through the day with Western and English.  After a very long day of showing and spirited competition, Charlotte Barrier captured the 17 & Under high point award, while Janessa Dutton took home the 18 & Over award.  Each received custom-embroidered bridle bags donated by Sandra Shiver, local Equine Touch™ therapist.  Look for complete show results in this issue.

 

In addition to the show, HAT ran a very busy concession stand and offered several items for bidding in a silent auction.

 

HAT would especially like to thank John Clayton for sponsoring the Western Pleasure 17 & Under class, as well as the many, many volunteers who came out to help make this show a success.  We couldn’t have done it without your help!

 

 

HAT Youth Show June 18th

 

HAT’s next event is coming up fast – our annual Youth Show and Clinic will be held June 18th at Loy Lake Arena in Denison.  This is our third year of holding the Youth Show, and it has become one of our most popular events.

 

This event is divided into two parts.  First is the Youth Clinic held in the morning.  Gerry Snipes returns to head this up, with this year’s theme “Techniques for Taking Command of Your Horse”.  A horse is not required to attend the clinic.

 

The second part is the Youth Show, held in the afternoon following the clinic.  This show will not include all of the classes found in a regular show; the schedule is simplified, and participants can enter as many different classes as they wish.  The idea is for the kids to learn and have fun.

 

The best part of all is this entire event is FREE!  Kids, come on out and spend the day with HAT on June 18th!

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Horse Desensitization Clinic

 

Spook proof your horse!  The Denton County Extension Horse Committee will sponsor a Desensitization Clinic will be May 14, 2005 at Smith Brothers Western Store at 7833 N. I-35 (Exit #472, Ganzer Road).  The clinic presenter will be Frank Keller.  Mr. Keller is the founder, President and CEO of Alpha & Omega Services, Inc., the oldest and largest private mounted security patrol firm in North America.  A certified mounted police instructor, Keller trains mounted police units throughout the United States and is the chief training officer for Alpha & Omega Services, Inc. Mounted Training Division.  Mr. Keller will show you training methods you can take home and use with your horse to work on things that scare them.  From trail riding to the show ring, we have all met those monsters.  Registration is due by May 11, 2005.  Call the Denton County Extension Office for more information or to register at (940) 349-2880 or metro (972) 434-8812 or e-mail at Rachel.Kreidel@dentoncounty.com.

 

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Cooperative Extension serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

 

 

May Shows at Rose Hill

 

A final reminder about the events coming up at Rose Hill Stables in Anna the weekend of May 14-15:

 

On Saturday, May 14th there will be a Schooling Jumper Show, with classes offered at heights from 18” crossed rails through 3’ 6”.  On Sunday, May 15th there will be a Combined Test and Schooling Dressage Show, with classes to suit any level of experience through Training Level, as well as separate schooling and even a lead line class for the little ones.

 

Entry forms are printed in this issue, and are also accepted by e-mail or phone.  For more information, call Rose Hill at (972) 924-2549 or send an e-mail to felicia@rosehillstables.com.  You can also visit their web site at www.rosehillstables.com.

 

 

“Hannah Sue’s Day in the Country” Coming in June

 

Hannah’s Horseshoes of Hope – Triple H Equitherapy is holding a fundraising event called “Hannah Sue’s Day in the Country”.  This is a tour of homes, ranches, and gardens in Bonham and the surrounding area that will take place on June 4th.

 

Hannah’s Horseshoes of Hope – Triple H Equitherapy is a riding therapy program that serves the Red River region including Grayson, Fannin, Lamar, and surrounding counties.  Its founder, Janice Mills, started Triple H with a mission to “provide equine-assisted therapy and rehabilitation for children and adults with physical, mental, emotional, and learning disabilities”.  It is named after Mrs. Mills’ granddaughter, Hannah Sue Mills, who was born with Down’s Syndrome.  Triple H is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), with its instructors certified to teach riding therapy.

 

“Hannah Sue’s Day in the Country” will begin at 10am on June 4th in the Bonham High School parking lot and conclude at 5pm.  Tickets are $10 each, and may be purchased in advance at Mary’s Boutique or Fannin Bank in Bonham, or on the day of the tour at the high school and any of the homes.  For more information about this event or about Triple H, call Janice at (903) 664-3062.

 

 

Stallion Service Auction Entries Still Available

 

The following stallion services are still available:

  • Mahan’s Michael The Great (Miniature Donkey)

Fee $150/Auction $75

  • Royal Heritage CR (2000 ApHC)

Fee $500/Auction $250

  • Too Brite Nugget (1977 ApHC)

Fee $500/Auction $250

 

These stallion services are available at the auction price, and are offered to all on a first-come, first-serve basis.  All proceeds go to HAT to support and expand its activities.

 

If you are interested, please contact Sally Thomason at (903) 463-6463 or the HAT office.

 

 

 

Extension Service News

by Eddie Baggs, CEA-Agriculture

Denton County Cooperative Extension

 

Toxic Plants

 

Toxic plant poisonings cause an estimated $50 million to $100 million in livestock losses in Texas every year, not including production loss from sick animals or reduced grazing from infested pastures.  There are more than 100 species of toxic plants in Texas pastures and rangelands.  Increased knowledge and identification of toxic plants are the first step in preventing poisoning.  Plants have different levels of toxicity, but most poisonous plants kill animals only if eaten in large amounts over a short period of time.  Some toxic plants are not equally toxic to all species of livestock, such as hairy vetch is toxic to cattle and horses but not to sheep or goats.

High risk areas for toxic plant populations are handling facilities, bedding and feeding areas.  The soil is continually disturbed in these areas which promotes invasion of toxic plants.

Good grazing management practices can reduce or even avoid livestock losses from plant poisoning.  Stocking rates should be reduced in areas known to have toxic plants and under extreme environmental conditions should be avoided completely until enough desirable forage is available.  Many toxic plants are among the first to green-up in the spring and stay green longer into the fall.

Supplemental feeding during these periods will also be of benefit.  Always keep out a source of mineral supplement with a phosphorus content; phosphorus is the most limiting factor in most Texas forages.  If a chemical herbicide is used to control toxic plants the pasture should not be grazed until the treated plants have completely dried.  Again stocking rates are a major influence on toxic plant consumption by animals; as the density of desirable forage plants decrease and are suppressed, the density of toxic plants will increase and animals will have a higher probability of consuming a larger amount of these poisonous plants.  Correct diagnosis of a poisonous plant death is often difficult.  When a sick or dead animal is found, the first step in diagnosis is to determine whether the cause is plant poisoning or infectious disease.  To do so it is necessary to carefully observe symptoms of the affected animals and have a good knowledge of plants native to the area.  Assistance is available from your local veterinarians, the Texas Cooperative Extension, the Natural Resource Conservation Service or the Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

 

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Cooperative Extension serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

 

 

 

This Month’s Recipe

 

Cherry Coffee Cake                                                                                                                           Servings: 15

 

1 cup                   sugar                                                             Topping

1/2 cup                butter or margarine, softened                          1/4 cup       all-purpose flour

1 cup                   sour cream                                                    1/4 cup       sugar

2                         eggs                                                              1/4 cup       chopped pecans

1 tsp                    vanilla                                                            1 tsp           ground cinnamon

2 cups                 all-purpose flour                                            3 tbsp         butter or margarine

1 1/2 tsp              baking powder

1/2 tsp                 baking soda

1/2 tsp                 salt

1 can (21 oz)       cherry pie filling

 

·        Heat oven to 325°F.  Combine sugar and butter in large bowl.  Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.  Add sour cream, eggs and vanilla; continue beating until well mixed.  Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat until well mixed.

·        Spread half of batter into greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan.  Spoon cherry pie filling over batter.  Spoon remaining batter over pie filling; spreading carefully.

·        For topping, stir together flour, sugar, pecans and cinnamon in medium bowl.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle crumb mixture over batter.  Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and topping is dark golden brown.