HAT Chat Articles – March 2008
A word from our
President
March came in like a lamb,
quickly turned lion-like with snow and ice, and now appears a bit more
lamb-like with the sunshine and melting snow. So I’m a bit confused as to what
the rest of March will bring! Regardless, a whale of a good time was had by all
who attended the HAT Showmanship Clinic on March 1st!!! The weather
and arena were perfect as Aleasha Hamilton transformed the beginners and
polished the experienced with hints and tips that usually take years in the
show pen to learn. Everyone headed out determined to practice our new skills.
Watch for some keen competitors in the HAT Showmanship classes this season!
HAT events are fun and
successful because of everyone’s contributions. Sandi Bauer volunteered to
handle registrations, which allowed me to take advantage of participating in
the clinic with Gerry Snipes’ knowledgeable gelding, Chrome, my willing and
patient partner for the day. It’s so
much fun to learn from horses like him! Special appreciation goes to Wayne Carter
of Crossfire Ranch Arena, David Mitchell for the coffee and donuts, the caterer
for a delicious lunch complete with fresh peach cobbler, Kelsea Bauer and her
friend Bree for the many photographs, and, of course,
our participants and their horses! We appreciate everyone who came and look
forward to seeing you during the upcoming show series.
Speaking of shows, HAT’s
first of four is April 19th. With Year End and Daily High Point
awards for all three age groups this year, you won’t want to miss a single
show! Folks at the clinic saw first hand the facilities we’ll be using for
three shows, complete with covered warm-up area. Get those ponies out and be
ready to ride or lead…or better yet, “follow the hand.” You had to be there…at
the clinic. J
Come join the fun through our
activities or meetings! Good friends, good horses…it doesn’t get any better
than that!
Happy Spring Trails,
P.S.
Graduating seniors, remember to complete your
application and essay for the HAT Youth Scholarship by April 12th!
Anyone 18 & under, make plans to attend the Youth Clinic on May 10th!
Spring Show April 19th
HAT will hold its first horse
show of the year on Saturday, April 19th at Crossfire Ranch Arena in
We are also working very hard
to implement an online registration service, and hope to have this available in
time for the April show. Please check the HAT website for updates.
2008 Futurity Changes
HAT has made the following
changes for the 2008 Open Weanling/Yearling Futurity and Open Show:
·
Due to
construction, the
·
The date for this
event has been moved up from November 1 to October 18.
We do not anticipate any
further changes in this year’s show schedule. Any changes that do occur will be
reported here and on our website, www.hat-texoma.org.
It’s A Buckle Series, Y’all!
Last but not least, HAT has brought back the Year-End
Special
Report
2008 HAT Shows – More Changes, More Prizes, More FUN!
by Michael Bernier
HAT
Chat Editor
HAT
has decided to make several changes to its shows this year, making them even
bigger and better than before. Many of the changes were made as a result of the
positive experiences from working with the Choctaw Nation Horseman’s
Association (CNHA) to produce the November 17, 2007 show held at Choctaw Arena.
These
changes include:
·
New Age
Divisions
– there will now be three divisions instead of two: 12 & Under,
13-18, and 19 & Over. HAT/CNHA found there was a lot of interest in
separating the youth riders into two groups, and moving the 18-year-olds out of
the adult classes is more in line with other local groups who host shows.
·
Reining and
Pole Bending – Pole Bending had been removed from HAT shows for some
time due to lack of participation. We brought it back and moved it to the
beginning of the HAT/CNHA show, and it generated a lot of interest. We also
moved Reining to the beginning of that show, and had a record number of
participants. So, for 2008 we will be offering both classes at the beginning of
each show.
·
Showmanship – Although
Showmanship is divided into age divisions like the Performance classes, it has
always been counted as a Halter class at HAT shows, meaning that no points were
awarded for placing in the class. To fix this lack of consistency, it was
decided to move Showmanship to the list of Performance classes and award points
for each class placing. This is a big change for participants who previously
used the Showmanship class to fulfill their Halter requirement for
·
Hunter Hack – Hunter
Hack has been removed due to low participation.
Also
returning for 2008 are two classes that were first introduced in 2006 –
Challenged Rider and Gaited Horses. Interest in these classes has been good,
and we continue to encourage everyone to come out and support these very
specialized events and their participants.
Perhaps
the most exciting news for 2008 is the return of the Year-End High Point
competition, which HAT first offered in 2006. This year, the competition has
been expanded and improved, both as a result of the HAT/CNHA experience:
Expanded – in addition to a Year-End High
Point award for each age division, there will also be a Reserve Year-End High
Point award as well, for a total of six year-end awards across the three age
divisions.
Improved – the three Year-End High Point
winners will each receive a silver buckle to recognize their achievement. This
is the first year HAT has awarded buckles for any event. (Additional awards for
Reserve Year-End High Point winners had not been finalized by press time, and
will be announced at a later date.)
The
eligibility rules for Year-End High Point are similar to those first used two
years ago, and include:
·
Required participation in at least 3 out of 4 shows
·
Same horse/rider combination must be used at each show
·
Must enter and participate in enough classes to qualify for
Daily High Point at each show (i.e. minimum of 1 Halter and 3 Performance
classes per show)
A
complete list of requirements will be made available at each show and on the
HAT website, www.hat-texoma.org.
HAT
is also working very hard to offer additional awards and prizes at each of its
shows, including awards for winning or placing in each class. Look for more
information about these at each show and in future issues of HAT Chat.
HAT is
actively looking for sponsors who would like to help support our improvements. A new
sponsorship program being introduced this year now allows businesses and
individuals to sponsor classes at our shows. Each level of sponsorship provides
a number of incentives ranging from recognition announcements during each class
to print and online advertising. If you or your company are interested in
becoming a sponsor, please contact HAT for a sponsorship application (contact
information is provided on page 2 of this issue).
Finally,
none of these improvements would be possible without the dedication and hard
work of our show staff. Everyone who works at a HAT show volunteers their time
and talents to make each event successful, safe, and most of all – FUN. The
atmosphere at HAT shows is always friendly and family-oriented, allowing competitors
to be serious about their performance while offering them a chance to have a
good time as well. If you have never been to a HAT show, now is the perfect
time to come out and learn what it’s all about.
We
look forward to seeing everyone at all of our shows this year! If you have any
questions, please contact HAT or check the HAT website, www.hat-texoma.org.
National
News
USRider Offers Trailer Preparation Tips For Travel Season
“A good roadside assistance
program is something all horse owners should have but hope they will never have
to use,” says Mark Cole, managing member for USRider.
“To that end, our mission is to continually educate horse owners about
trailering safety.”
To provide a reliable and
accessible source of information about trailering safety, USRider
maintains an Equine Trailer Safety Area on its website, www.usrider.org. The
safety information is developed with input from equine travel expert Neva Kittrell Scheve.
“We have carefully developed
this area to be a resource with helpful and practical topics – all free and
available to members and non-members alike,” added Cole. “Our website is
designed so visitors can print out information as a handy reference. We also
post safety bulletins as new information is developed.”
Examples of the information
available at www.usrider.org include a list of items every horse trailer should
have on board, short trip and long trip precautions, and trailer inspection
procedures.
“Horse owners can put these
tips to work and greatly reduce the chances that they will be stranded on the
side of the highway,” said Cole.
With the upcoming trailering
season, USRider shares some of the helpful tips from
its Equine Travel Safety Area (www.usrider.org/safety.html):
1. Remove and inspect all wheels and hubs or brake drums.
2. Inspect suspension for wear.
3. Check tightness of hanger bolt, shackle bolt and
U-bolt nuts per recommended torque values.
4. Check brake linings, brake drums and armature faces
for excessive wear or scoring.
5. Check brake magnetic coil with an ohmmeter. The
magnetic coil should check 3.2 ohms (+/- 0.3ohms). If shorted or out of
tolerance, replace.
6. Lubricate all brake moving parts, using a high
temperature brake lubricant.
7. Remove any rust from braking surface and armature
surface of drums.
8. Inspect oil or grease seals for wear or nicks. Replace
if necessary.
9. Inspect and grease wheel bearings.
In addition to these
recommendations, USRider advises horse owners to
check all trailer tires, (including spares) for signs of dry rot, correct air
pressure, faulty air valves, uneven tire wear, overall tire wear and damage. USRider recommends investing in a high-quality air pressure
gauge – learn how to use it - and inspect tire pressure before each trip.
Always replace tires if worn or damaged. In addition, tires should be replaced
every three to five years regardless of mileage. When replacing tires, always
replace the valve stems. USRider recommends that only
high quality tires specifically designed and rated for trailers be used – never
use retread or automobile tires on a horse trailer. According to Cole, “Quality
tires are like fine leather shoes, they only hurt once – when you pay for
them.”
It is also important to
service the wheel bearings annually, or every 12,000 miles, regardless of
mileage due to moisture build-up. Keep a spare set of wheel bearings in your
trailer in case of premature failure. Be sure to inspect trailer wiring and
lighting; inspect door latches and grease the doors; inspect the floor (be sure
to remove any rubber mats so the entire floor can be examined); and inspect and
lubricate mechanical moving parts, such as the hitch and suspension parts. If
the trailer has been sitting for a while, check for wasp nests, spider webs and
any other creatures.
Cole also reminds equestrians
to check the contents of their equine and human first aid kits. “Any depleted
and out-of-date items should be replaced,” he said. A list of recommended items
for first aid kits is posted on the USRider website.
USRider advises horse owners to use ICE, which stands for In
Case of Emergency. This important initiative was designed to aid emergency
responders in identifying victims and determining who needs to be notified.
Implementing ICE is easy. Program your emergency contact information into your
cellular phone and designate it with the acronym ICE.
Horse owners should also
ensure that their emergency contact information is stored in their tow vehicle.
To facilitate this, USRider has developed an In Case
of Emergency form and posted it online for horse owners to print out. Simply
fill in the blanks and store the paper in the tow vehicle as well as in the
trailer. Additional recommendations as well as a Power of Attorney form are
posted on the USRider website.
For additional safety tips,
visit the Equine Travel Safety Area on the USRider
website at www.usrider.org or call
1-800-844-1409.
Legislative
Update
Benefits In The Economic Stimulus Act For The
Horse Industry
Washington,
DC -February 14, 2008 - President Bush
signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act on February 13. The bill is intended
to provide a jump-start to the lagging
“The new law includes two tax
incentives that would allow a much bigger write-off for horses and other
depreciable property purchased and placed in service during 2008,” said Jay
Hickey, President of the American Horse Council. “This should provide an
additional incentive for people to invest in more horses for racing, showing
and breeding as part of their business activities.”
The first incentive would
increase the so-called Section 179 expensing allowance for horses purchased and
placed into service in 2008 from $128,000 to $250,000. This expensing allowance
also applies to farm equipment and most other depreciable property. Once total
purchases of horses, and other eligible depreciable property, during 2008 reach
$800,000, the expense allowance goes down one dollar for each dollar spent on
eligible property over $800,000.
“The horse industry almost
lost the Section 179 expense deduction in 1996. The House of Representatives
passed legislation taking this deduction away from the horse industry,” said
Hickey. “But we were able to convince the Senate to remove this restriction
before passing the final bill and the deduction was preserved. It was worth
$17,500 then. Over the years it has been increased and will now go up to
$250,000 for 2008. That is a real benefit to horse owners.”
To illustrate the expensing
allowance, assume a horse business purchases $750,000 of depreciable property
in 2008, including $650,000 for horses. That business can write off $250,000 on
its 2008 tax return and depreciate the balance. If instead, purchases were
$900,000, the expense allowance would go down by $100,000. In either case, the
amount of the purchases not expensed may also be eligible for bonus
depreciation, which is reinstated for 2008 in the new tax stimulus package.
The second incentive brings
back 50% first-year bonus depreciation for horses and most other depreciable
property purchased and placed in service during 2008. “Bonus depreciation was
first passed in 2002 as a way to stimulate the economy. It phased out at the
end of 2004,” noted Hickey. “It was a benefit for the industry then and it
should be again.” It does not apply to property that has a depreciation life of
over 20 years.
Also, as was the case when
bonus depreciation was available in 2003 and 2004, the property must be new,
meaning that the original use of the horse or other property must begin with
the purchaser for the property to be eligible. “Original use” means the first
use to which the property is put, whether or not that use corresponds to the
use of the property by the purchaser. “There is no limit on the amount of bonus
depreciation that can be taken, as there is with the expense deduction,” noted
Hickey.
To illustrate bonus
depreciation, assume that in 2008 a business pays $500,000 for a colt to be
used for racing and $50,000 for other depreciable property, bringing total
purchases to $550,000. The young colt had never been raced or used for any
other purpose before the purchase. The business would be able to expense
$250,000, deduct another $150,000 of bonus depreciation (50% of the $300,000
remaining balance), and take regular depreciation on the $150,000 balance.
As the national association
representing all segments of the horse industry in
The AHC is member supported by
individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse
world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and
horsemen's associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial
suppliers and state horse councils.
Business
News
Recession And The Horse Industry
Over the past few weeks there
has been more and more talk about the odds of a recession in the
Whether an economic slowdown
or an actual recession, both have implications for the broader horse industry
that are worth considering.
Recessions
Recessions are defined as
negative economic activity, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
lasting more than a few months, spread across the economy. That means that the
economy actually shrinks in size during a recession. The last recession took
place in 2001.
Annual GDP growth has
averaged about 5 percent, in current dollars, annually, over the last decade.
This growth has been fueled by rising worker productivity, stable prices, a
lack of inflationary pressure, falling real prices for some goods, and the
expansion of new technologies and new products.
This economic slowdown can be
traced, probably first and foremost, to the rapid rise in energy prices. Over
the last 3 years, oil prices have more than doubled to $100 per barrel.
Gasoline and diesel prices have risen from $1.00 to over $3.00 per gallon. That
increase in price has the effect of reducing the amount of money consumers have
to spend on other items. Since consumer spending is, roughly, 70 percent of GDP
the resulting change in spending should be expected to have an effect on
economic growth. In addition, nearly everything we buy is transported to its final
destination, sold in stores lit by electricity, and is produced using higher
cost energy.
Add to that mix rising
interest rates, falling real estate and home values, and the sub-prime mortgage
mess that is the result of lax lending standards and fueled by a low interest
rate environment and rising real estate values. The result is much more
pressure on consumer spending and choices.
A Closer Look
The effect of ethanol, energy
prices, and drought on feed prices can’t be overlooked for those with horses.
Feed is an expense that the normal consumer does not have. High corn, soybean,
and wheat prices are pulling prices higher for all crops, including alfalfa and
other hay. Alfalfa prices have increased more than 20 percent, nationally, over
the last year. Drought in some areas of the country over the last couple of years
has also contributed to high hay prices.
For businesses selling feed
and equipment to horse owners, more questions arise. How recession
proof are horse owners? They are clearly hit by higher feed and fuel costs,
but how will that translate to spending on other items? That will depend
largely on how their jobs and businesses do during this economic slowdown. Not
all areas of the economy are showing signs of trouble. Areas like oil and gas are
doing well. But higher costs may have an effect on horse related activities,
whether trail rides, cutting horse events, rodeos, and other events. It may also
lead to lower prices for horses at sales.
The horse industry, like all
others, relies on a growing economy for its wellbeing. Some thought and
planning will help the industry succeed in this troubling economy.
David Anderson
Associate Professor And Extension Economist
Department of Agricultural Economics
2125 TAMU
(979) 845-3805
Equine Science News
Mounting Method Affects Saddle Pressure
Back problems are often blamed for poor performance and behavioural problems in horses. An ill-fitting or damaged
saddle can cause pain. But does the way the rider mounts affect the horse’s
back?
Dr Hilary Clayton and colleagues at the
Their study looked at how the pressure under the saddle
differed depending on whether the horse was mounted from the ground or from a
raised mounting block.
Ten experienced riders, of different weights and heights,
took part in the study. Each mounted the horse from the ground and from a
mounting platform. The horse, a 14 yr old riding horse gelding, was clinically
sound, had no back problems, and was ridden in a correctly fitting dressage
saddle.
A pad placed under the saddle contained an array of
pressure sensors. Each individual measurement was analysed
to produce an overall picture of the pressure gradients.
The study showed that the horse’s withers play an
important part in stabilising the saddle as the rider
mounts. There was a marked downward force in the left stirrup as the riders
right leg swung upwards. The total force was significantly higher in horses
mounted from the ground, than in horses mounted using a platform. If the area
under the saddle was divided into quadrants (inner and outer, front and back)
on each side, the peak pressure occurred at the right fore inner (by the
withers) and left fore outer quadrants.
Unsurprisingly, the study also confirmed that heavier
riders exerted greater pressures on the horse’s back. From their results, the
scientists calculated that a rider weighing 50kg (110 lbs) mounting from the
ground would exert a maximum total force of 547N (123 lbs of force). A 100kg
(220 lb) rider would exert a maximum total force of 914N (205 lbs of force).
However, it is not so much the maximum total force that
caused problems. The forces recorded during mounting were actually slightly
lower than those recorded when the horse was ridden at a walk, and much lower
than during cantering.
Similarly the inertial effect caused by the right leg
swinging up was less than that measured during the trot and canter. These
pressures were distributed evenly and were only likely to present a problem if
the saddle did not fit properly.
More important is the fact that the forces experienced
during mounting are asymmetrical - concentrating the pressures on localised areas at the right withers.
The scientists suggest that heavier riders should be
encouraged to use a mounting block rather than mount from the ground,
regardless of how agile or tall they are. This should help limit the possible
harmful effects of mounting from the ground.
Wide, flat withers make it more likely that the saddle
will slip towards the side of mounting, warns Dr Clayton. This is especially so
when the saddle tree is narrow and sits too high above the withers.
For more details see:
Forces and pressures beneath the saddle
during mounting from the ground and from a raised mounting platform.
CA Geutjens, HM Clayton, LJ
Kaiser
Vet J (2007)
doi:
10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.03.025
© 2008 Equine Science Update
Reprinted with permission
Monthly
Poll
Last month we asked:
This month’s question: Do
you use any of the following permanent identification methods on your horses?
To vote in our monthly poll,
go to www.hat-texoma.org and scroll
down to “Monthly Poll” on the home page. The results of this month’s question
will be published in our next issue. Be sure to stop by and cast your vote!
Extension
Service News
by Eddie Baggs, CEA-Agriculture
Wonder Grass
With
an estimated 50 thousand plus acres of bermudagrass in
The
use of bermudagrass really began to spread throughout the
Most
failures in establishing bermudagrass are due to:
1.
Poorly prepared seed bed
2.
Inadequate moisture at planting
3.
Using desiccated or dried sprigs or poor quality seed
4.
Planting too few sprigs or seeds
5.
Covering sprigs or planting seed too deep
6.
Not firming the soil after planting
7.
Severe weed competition
8.
Severe grazing before plants are established
Bermudagrass
is truly a wonder grass because it is well adapted to different soils, has excellent
drought tolerance, withstands close frequent defoliation either by cutting or
grazing and responds to nitrogen fertilizer very well. All
these factors attribute to the wide spread continued use and
establishment of bermudagrass.
Educational programs conducted by the
A Bit of Humor
Crazy (But
True) Horse Laws, Part 2
·
In
·
·
·
In
·
In
·
An ordinance
(235) in Ada, Oklahoma reads: it shall be unlawful
for any person or persons to leave, keep, or permit, any horse, mule or mules,
vehicles, wagons, buggy, automobile, except if the same is provided with a
grease pan.
·
In Leahy and
·
In
·
In
·
It is within the
law to arrest and prosecute horses and other animals in
·
A
·
In
·
Setting fire to a
mule is prohibited in
Ask The Vet
by Dr. Katie Hayes, DVM
Biosecurity For Your Farm
Dr. Theresa Chappell attended
the Western Veterinary Conference, and provided these notes on biosecurity.
Keeping a farm secure from
many threats is a day to day chore for many horse owners. Pastures are kept
free from debris and hazardous materials, fences are kept in good order,
maintenance is preformed routinely on trailers and trucks, and all grain and
hay are protected from mold and vermin. With all the precautions taken
routinely, there is still more that can be done. Here are a few things to
consider adding to your farm maintenance to help increase the biosecurity level
at your farm.
1. Rake or remove all manure piles.
This is a very simple thing
that can dramatically affect the health of your herd. Manure piles are a
breeding ground for many disease carrying insects. They allow intestinal
parasite larvae and eggs to live for extended periods of time which adds to the
worm contamination on your pasture, and they can hold and protect disease
causing bacteria such as salmonella and rhodococcus, increasing the potential
for severe infections. Simply raking these piles down exposes all of these
disease causing organisms to the sun which dries and kills them.
2. Use alcohol based hand sanitizer.
The alcohol based hand
sanitizers have been tested to be more effective than hand washing in killing
hazardous viruses and bacteria. The reasons are simple: First, most people do
not effectively wash their hands. An effective wash should last at least 15
seconds, about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. Second, the
antibiotic commonly used in antibiotic soaps and various other products,
Triclosan, is no longer effective against many dangerous bacteria because of
its widespread use. The alcohol based hand gels are very effective against
disease causing bacteria.
3. Isolate Immediately.
Isolation is very important
in the prevention of spreading disease. Any new arrival on a farm should be
isolated from the general horse population; a stall with no nose-to-nose
contact is generally acceptable. These horses should be monitored closely for illness,
fever, coughing, nasal discharge, and diarrhea. An effective isolation period
is usually 10 to 14 days with no signs of illness. Also, any horse that shows
signs of illness on a farm should be immediately isolated to prevent infection
of herd mates. Most diseases are transmitted in the early stages, so early
detection and isolation is essential.
Remember that isolation is
not only keeping the horse separate, but also insuring that you do not
inadvertently spread disease between your horses. Here are a few tips:
a) Use separate water buckets
b) Disinfect water buckets, feed buckets, bits and
bridles, cleaning utensils and grooming supplies between uses
c) Clean the isolation stall last with a different pick
d) When filling water buckets, do not allow the hose to dip
into the water in the bucket
e) Use your hand sanitizer!
4. Disinfect.
Having a clean barn is more
than cleaning piles and sweeping the floor. Most should consider disinfecting
at some level, particularly if you have had a sick horse or are expecting foals
this spring.
a) For stalls, a detergent like Tide with bleach is
effective once all dirt and manure are removed.
b) Another very effective disinfecting agent is acidified
bleach. This is easily made using 1 cup bleach, 1 cup white vinegar, and one
gallon of water; or you can use bleach alone, diluted with 2 oz of bleach to
one gallon of water. These should be left in place for an hour then rinsed.
c) Use your hand sanitizer!
d) Dip bits and other things that come into contact with
horses in chlorhexidine solution
e) Bridles and halters can be partially cleaned with hand
sanitizer, or if possible they can be washed
**There is no way to
effectively disinfect a dirt stall or a porous surface, such as wood. If you
have wood stalls, consider painting them with several layers of epoxy or latex
paint, which can be disinfected. Dirt floors should have stall mats installed,
which can be stripped or even replaced if needed. Dirt and manure in deep
stalls provide a perfect breeding ground for salmonella and rhodococcus.
Recipe of the Month
Traditional Irish Stew Servings: 6
|
1 |
leg of lamb (3-4 lbs), cut into 1-1/2 inch cubes |
2 |
cloves garlic, mashed and minced |
|
2 tbsp |
butter |
4 |
medium potatoes, quartered |
|
1 tbsp |
vegetable oil |
8 |
small white onions, peeled |
|
2 cups |
water |
1 lb |
frozen peas, thawed |
|
1 cup |
chicken broth |
8 oz |
fresh mushrooms, sliced |
|
1/4 tsp |
thyme, crushed |
1 cup |
milk |
|
1/4 tsp |
pepper |
1/3 cup |
flour |
|
|
salt (1-2 tsp, or to taste) |
|
|
·
Over medium heat, brown lamb in butter and oil in a large stock pot or
Dutch oven. Add water, broth, thyme, pepper, salt, and garlic; cover and simmer
for one hour. Skim off fat.
·
Add potatoes and onions. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until
vegetables are tender. Add peas and mushrooms, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
·
Combine milk and flour in a small bowl, stirring until smooth. Add
mixture to stew, simmering until thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.