HAT Chat Articles – June 2005

 

 

A word from our President

 

It’s that time of year again: the kids are out of school for summer vacation, and I’m sure the rain’s about to take off on its own vacation as well.  We might get a shower here and there between now and September, but we all know it’s just Mother Nature’s way of teasing us.

 

Since the kids are off from school, why not bring them out to Loy Lake Arena on June 18th for our Youth Show?  This is our third year of holding the show, and each time we do it gets better and better.  This year’s clinic is headed up once again by Gerry Snipes, a very talented local horsewoman who does an excellent job working with youth.  It’s a great opportunity for kids who are interested in horses, or maybe don’t have a lot of experience with them, to get out and enjoy the day.  There’s no pressure and no high-stakes competition, just a lot of fun for everyone.  Best of all, it’s free!

 

If you can’t make it out to our show, don’t let that stop you from doing something with your horses; check out our Events Calendar for other activities going on in the area.  Just don’t let them sit out in the pasture all summer…get out and enjoy them!

 

Roger Dougan

HAT President

 

 

HAT Youth Show June 18th

 

Okay, kids – it’s finally happening!  HAT’s third annual Youth Show and Clinic is coming up on June 18th at Loy Lake Arena in Denison.

 

The day starts off with registration at 8am.  Then, we jump into the Youth Clinic from 9am to 12 noon.  This year’s theme is called “Taking Command of Your Horse”, and returning as our clinician is the talented Gerry Snipes.  Although this clinic is open only for kids 18 and under to participate, parents and adults are also encouraged to attend and observe.  You also don’t need a horse to attend – but if you do bring one, you’ll be able to practice under Gerry’s watchful eyes and maybe pick up some extra pointers and tips to help your riding.

 

The Youth Show will start up at 12:30pm.  This show is totally different from our other shows in several ways.  First off, only kids 18 and under can enter (showing mares and geldings only – leave the stallions at home!).  Second, there is a much shorter and simpler list of classes (including some riding games).  Third, the classes are divided into two skills levels (Beginner and Advanced) instead of age groups.  Fourth, formal show/riding attire is not required (just some common-sense rules – no shorts, no sandals or open-toe shoes, hats or helmets encouraged but not required, etc.).  Finally, kids can enter as many different classes as they wish.

 

Last but not least, the most different part of all is that this entire event is FREE to enter (the only thing you need money for is if you want to purchase snacks and drinks from our concession stand).

 

Parents, be sure to bring your cameras so you can catch those pictures of your children learning and enjoying some good old-fashioned fun.  You’ll also want to be on hand to congratulate our 2005 HAT Youth Scholarship recipient, who will be announced during the event.

 

We’re looking forward to seeing you on June 18th!

 

 

 

Extension Service News

by Eddie Baggs, CEA-Agriculture

Denton County Cooperative Extension

 

The Coyote

 

Coyotes cause more problems in “urban fringe” areas than most folks would expect.  As rural lands are increasingly developed, more and more reports of livestock and pet losses to coyotes surface as these animals become more accustomed to noises and people and become more desperate for food.  The coyote is abundant even in Denton County and tends to be a survivor in the wild animal population.  Predation by coyotes is actually the biggest cause of death for sheep and goats statewide.

They are not as large or heavy as most people imagine - generally weighing in as an adult at around 30 pounds.  They posses good eyesight and hearing and have a highly developed sense of smell.  They can run up to 40 mph for short distances.  They are usually solitary and do not travel in packs like wolves unless it is a family group situation.  They are many times territorial but are very opportunistic about their food source.  They breed during February and March and have a gestation period of about 60 days.  They are very intelligent animals which makes them a problem to trap many times.

The easiest way to identify coyote problems and/or populations is by their tracks.  Coyote tracks can be distinguished from dog tracks in that they are usually longer than they are wide.  In most situations, only the front two claw marks will be visible on the coyote track, while in a dog track all claws are visible.  The manner in which a coyote kills its prey is also often characteristic.  They will usually kill by biting the throat just behind the lower jaw, while a dog will usually kill by attacking the hindquarter, flanks and head.  Dogs rarely make a clean kill like coyotes will.  Inexperienced coyotes have been known to kill in ways similar to a dog and this should be taken into account.

Methods to control and prevent coyote predation include fencing methods such as the use of wire mesh and electrical fencing.  However, there is probably no such thing as an economically feasible, completely "coyote-proof" fence.  If electrical fencing is used then it is best advised to incorporate both a physical barrier as well as a psychological barrier.  Other methods might include repellents (not usually very effective); guard animals like dogs, donkeys, ostriches, emus, llama and mules; shooting or trapping.  In Denton County, snares would most often be recommended for trapping even though leg traps are used in many other areas.

Landowners should also be aware that House Bill 151 which became effective September 1, 2003 allows a landowner to capture or kill dogs or coyotes that harass livestock.  This bill also exempts a person from needing to obtain a hunting license to kill coyotes causing harm to livestock.

 

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.

 

 

 

Ask The Vet

by Dr. Katie Hayes, DVM

 

Insect Allergy

 

Summer itch or Equine Insect Hypersensitivity (EIH) is caused by an allergic reaction to biting gnats, especially the Culicoides species.  They bite the horse on the neck, mane, shoulders, withers, belly, top of tail, and ears.  The bites and skin reaction make the horse scratch like crazy on trees, fences, and stalls causing loss of hair, rubbed-raw skin, and bleeding sores.  It is the same principle as a dog or cat with a flea allergy.  There is also the Simulian black fly that bites the ears and may carry the papilloma (wart) virus, causing white, raised wart-like plaques on the inside of the ears.

 

Many people mistake EIH in horses for fungus or lice.  This allergy condition starts in June when the gnats arrive and ends in October when the first frost kills the gnats.  It is diagnosed by the location of the hair loss (mane, top of tail, shoulders, etc.), thickened skin in the areas of hair loss, the season, and by skin biopsy if necessary.  Treatment is with cortisone and antihistamine, and especially by prevention of the gnat bites.

 

Prevention of Insect Bites

 

1.      Garlic powder added to feed, 2 tablespoons twice per day (we have 1 gallon containers of garlic powder available at the clinic)

2.      Applying topical preparations to bite areas once or twice daily to repel gnats

·        Permethrin fly drops (every 2 weeks)

·        Vicks™ VapoRub® with menthol

·        Farnam™ Swat® Fly Repellent Ointment (pink or clear pyrethrin)

·        Avon™ Skin So Soft®

·        Icthammol ointment in ears

·        Braid scented dryer sheets into the mane and tail and rub over horse’s coat

3.      Use fly sheets that cover the neck and go halfway down the tail.  A 2% permethrin solution can be sprayed on the sheet for added protection.

4.      Put the horses into stalls with fans, especially one hour before dusk and one hour before dawn

5.      Keep manure piles 1/2 mile away from horses on pasture because the gnats breed in the manure.

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

“Hannah Sue’s Day in the Country”

 

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.

 

 

Saddlebound 4-H Meeting Changes

 

Several changes have been made for the June meeting of the Grayson County Saddlebound 4-H Kids.  This will not be a regular meeting; instead, it will be a dinner/meeting for the purpose of inducting new club officers for the coming year.  The meeting date has also been changed from June 13th to June 20th, and the meeting will be held at an as-yet-to-be-determined location (but not at Loy Lake Arena).

 

For updates and more information, please contact Robin Chouteau at (903) 891-3285.

 

 

Text Box: 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.

 

 

 

A Bit of Humor

 

Basic Rules for Horses Who Have a Barn to Protect, Part 1

 

The Art of Snorting: Humans like to be snorted on.  Everywhere.  It is your duty, as the family horse, to accommodate them.

 

Neighing: Because you are a horse, you are expected to neigh.  So neigh – a lot.  Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting the barn and communicating with other horses.  Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds.  There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night and hearing you “Neigh, neigh, neigh.”

 

Stomping Cats: When standing on cross ties, make sure you never – quite – stomp on the barn cat’s tail.  It spoils all the fun.

 

Chewing: Make a contribution to the architectural industry…chew on your stall wall, the fence or any other wooden item.

 

Fresh Bedding: It is perfectly permissible to urinate in the middle of your freshly bedded stall to let your humans know how much you appreciate their hard work.

 

Dining Etiquette: Always pull all of your hay out of the hay rack, especially right after your stall has been cleaned, so you can mix the hay with all your fresh bedding.  This challenges your human the next time they’re cleaning your stall – and we all know how humans love a challenge (that’s what they said when they bought you as a two year old, right?).

 

Doors: Any door, even partially open, is always an invitation for you and your human to exercise.  Bolt out of the door and trot around, just out of reach of your human, who will frantically run after and chase you.  The longer it goes on, the more fun it is for all involved.

 

Author Unknown

 

 

 

This Month’s Recipe

 

Grilled Garlic Potato Salad                                                                                                                Servings: 12

 

6 cups                 halved unpeeled small red potatoes

1/3 cup                water

1                         medium head of garlic

1/2 cup                Italian dressing, divided

3/4 cup                mayonnaise

2 tsp                    prepared mustard

1 cup                   chopped celery

 

·         Preheat grill to medium-high heat.  Place potatoes in 2-quart microwavable dish and add water.  Cover and cook in microwave on High for 8 minutes; drain.  Meanwhile, cut about 1/2 inch off the top of the head of garlic (not the root end).  Place on a sheet of foil, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the dressing, then wrap the foil around the garlic, sealing the ends tightly.

·        Insert potatoes onto skewers and place with wrapped garlic on grill grating.  Brush potatoes with some of the remaining dressing.  Grill potatoes and garlic for 10 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender, turning the potatoes frequently and brushing with the remaining dressing.  Remove potatoes and garlic from grill and allow to cool.

·         Remove four cloves from the head of garlic and remove the pulp from the skins (to remove pulp, place the clove in the palm of your hand and squeeze from the root end).  Combine garlic pulp with mayonnaise and mustard in a large bowl.  Add potatoes and celery and mix lightly.  Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.