Just a reminder tomorrow (2/25) is the last day to register for the upcoming Teen Retreat - March 13-15 at Sertoma 4-H Camp. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. You must be 13 as of January 1, 2009 to attend. Cost for the three day event is $60.00 which covers transportation, lodging, all meals, workshops, movies, games, a dance and some extra surprises as we are celebrating NC 4-H being 100 this year. Workshops will include a science track, ambassador level workshops, parliamentary procedure and many other exciting choices. For more information or to register for this event, contact the 4-H office immediately. We can be reached at 336-372-5597 or by e-mail at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Teen Retreat Registration Deadline
Just a reminder tomorrow (2/25) is the last day to register for the upcoming Teen Retreat - March 13-15 at Sertoma 4-H Camp. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. You must be 13 as of January 1, 2009 to attend. Cost for the three day event is $60.00 which covers transportation, lodging, all meals, workshops, movies, games, a dance and some extra surprises as we are celebrating NC 4-H being 100 this year. Workshops will include a science track, ambassador level workshops, parliamentary procedure and many other exciting choices. For more information or to register for this event, contact the 4-H office immediately. We can be reached at 336-372-5597 or by e-mail at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Heaves in Horses
I’ve been asked to address the use of feeding beet pulp to horses with heaves.
First, a little about heaves (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD). Taken from article by H.G. Towsend (2002).
What are heaves?
A respiratory disease of horses resulting in signs of chronic coughing; decreased exercise tolerance, difficulty breathing and abnormal lung sounds. These signs occur as the result of narrowing of the small airways of the lungs caused by: inflammation and thickening of their tissues; constriction of the smooth muscles that surround them; and accumulation of mucous and exudates within their lumens. The end result is trapping of air in the lungs (emphysema). Technically heaves is called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, recurrent airway obstruction may be a better name because most cases go into remission when their environment is changed. Difficulty in breathing recurs when susceptible horses are again exposed to moldy feeds or dusty conditions. Animals with clinical signs adopt a characteristic breathing strategy with very high peak flows at the start of exhalation which decreases rapidly as exhalation continues.
What causes heaves?
Most published evidence suggests that the inflammation of the small airways (bronchiolitis) is the result of an allergic response that occurs following exposure of the lower airways to dust and moulds, particularly those that come from poorly cured hay.
Common risk factors for the occurrence of clinical signs are exposure to poorly cured, moldy or dusty feeds, confinement to a stable environment, inadequate stable ventilation, straw bedding and being 6 years of age or older. The incidence of the disease may be highest in ponies as they are frequently kept in less than ideal conditions and fed poor quality hay.
How are heaves managed?
The best treatment for heaves is to remove the animal from the environment that appears to be causing the problem and by reducing exposure to dusts and moulds. Unless every reasonable effort is made to meet these objectives, none of the other recommended treatments is likely to be effective. In experimental studies, horses suffering from acute signs of heaves, subsequent to exposure to moldy feeds, experience substantial remission of clinical signs one to three weeks after being moved to a dust free environment and fed cubed roughage.
How does beet pulp help a horse with heaves?
Beet pulp fiber is highly digestible, and very comparable to many types of high quality forages. Because of this ingredient’s digestibility and hindgut health benifits, it makes for a great way to add energy to a diet, with out all of the added starch. Its sweet nature allows for increased palatability for even the pickiest eaters.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (heaves) and other respiratory problems can be helped by adding beet pulp in the diet. The dust in the feeds complicates these problems but by soaking the beet pulp, these issues can drastically be reduced.
If you have other questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Tim
J.Tim Potter, Ph.D., PAS
Area Specialized Agent-Equine
First, a little about heaves (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD). Taken from article by H.G. Towsend (2002).
What are heaves?
A respiratory disease of horses resulting in signs of chronic coughing; decreased exercise tolerance, difficulty breathing and abnormal lung sounds. These signs occur as the result of narrowing of the small airways of the lungs caused by: inflammation and thickening of their tissues; constriction of the smooth muscles that surround them; and accumulation of mucous and exudates within their lumens. The end result is trapping of air in the lungs (emphysema). Technically heaves is called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, recurrent airway obstruction may be a better name because most cases go into remission when their environment is changed. Difficulty in breathing recurs when susceptible horses are again exposed to moldy feeds or dusty conditions. Animals with clinical signs adopt a characteristic breathing strategy with very high peak flows at the start of exhalation which decreases rapidly as exhalation continues.
What causes heaves?
Most published evidence suggests that the inflammation of the small airways (bronchiolitis) is the result of an allergic response that occurs following exposure of the lower airways to dust and moulds, particularly those that come from poorly cured hay.
Common risk factors for the occurrence of clinical signs are exposure to poorly cured, moldy or dusty feeds, confinement to a stable environment, inadequate stable ventilation, straw bedding and being 6 years of age or older. The incidence of the disease may be highest in ponies as they are frequently kept in less than ideal conditions and fed poor quality hay.
How are heaves managed?
The best treatment for heaves is to remove the animal from the environment that appears to be causing the problem and by reducing exposure to dusts and moulds. Unless every reasonable effort is made to meet these objectives, none of the other recommended treatments is likely to be effective. In experimental studies, horses suffering from acute signs of heaves, subsequent to exposure to moldy feeds, experience substantial remission of clinical signs one to three weeks after being moved to a dust free environment and fed cubed roughage.
How does beet pulp help a horse with heaves?
Beet pulp fiber is highly digestible, and very comparable to many types of high quality forages. Because of this ingredient’s digestibility and hindgut health benifits, it makes for a great way to add energy to a diet, with out all of the added starch. Its sweet nature allows for increased palatability for even the pickiest eaters.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (heaves) and other respiratory problems can be helped by adding beet pulp in the diet. The dust in the feeds complicates these problems but by soaking the beet pulp, these issues can drastically be reduced.
If you have other questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Tim
J.Tim Potter, Ph.D., PAS
Area Specialized Agent-Equine
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Youth Poultry Club Meeting
The next Youth Poultry Club meeting will be Monday, February 23 at 6pm at the Stonman House. The meeting is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 18. Come out and learn about different breeds of poultry and how to care, raise and show them.
For more information contact Steven Stoneman at (336) 572-9185 or the 4-H Office at (336) 372-5597.
Stoneman Address: 410 Brooks Rd., Glade Valley, NC. Directions can be found here from Sparta.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
UPDATE YOUR FORMS!!!
We are now working to get all Medical Release, Photo Release and Enrollment Forms updated. You can also contact us here at the Extension Office or your club leader to get paper copies. We can also notarize your medical release form here in the office. We are working to have all forms updated by March 2009. If you have any questions, please contact the 4-H Office at 336-372-5597 or e-mail Amy at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu. Click on the links below to access forms.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
TEEN RETREAT 2009
The West Central Teen Retreat will be held March 13-15 at Sertoma 4-H Camp. Teen Retreat is for youth ages 13-18. (You must be 13 by January 1, 2009). This year will be jam packed with workshops, food and fun since NC 4-H is 100 this year. Cost for the three day event will be $60 which includes transportation, all meals and snacks, workshops and a t-shirt. Workshops will include team building, a science track, ambassador level workshops and many more. There will be a dance and Centennial Celebration on Saturday night with options of movies and games. To register, come by the Extension Office at 90 S. Main St., Sparta. Registration and payment deadline is February 20th.
Horse Judging - Oral Reasons
In talking with folks about our upcoming judging clinics, I’ve had several questions about oral reasons and what they look and sound like. Here’s a pretty good example. Throughout this set, I will provide input in CAPS. A set like this is a result of several months of work and practice, and by the time we do a few, all our 4-H’ers will be talking this well and better.
Aged Quarter Horse Mares
Beginning with the individual who dominated the class in terms of muscling, balance and
femininity, I placed this class of Aged Quarter Horse Mares 3-2-1-4. GOOD OPENING STATEMENT – SHOULD BE DESCRIPTIVE IN NATURE
In my top pair I did place 3, the palomino, PERSONALLY I DISCOURAGE THE USE OF COLOR TERMS – IT DOESN’T ADD TO THE SCORE BY TALKING ABOUT THEIR COLOR, BUT IT CAN CERTAINLY LOWER THE SCORE IF THEY USE THE WRONG COLOR. IN THIS CASE, IF WE MENTION 3 THE PALOMINO WHO IN REALITY IS 3 THE BAY.
over 2, as she displayed the greatest abundance of muscling over her largest frame. She was the widest from stifle to stifle, exhibited the greatest circumference of gaskin, and the heaviest muscled loin. Moreover, she was the deepest V'ed up front, with her forearm muscling tying lowest at the knee. In addition, she displayed the boldest spring of rib and greatest depth of heart, and did stand on the widest, most desirable foundation. GOOD COMPARATIVE TERMINOLOGY. REMEMBER OPENING STATEMENT IS DESCRIPTIVE, THE REST IS COMPARATIVE.
However, I do concede that 2, the sorrel with the wide blaze, did present a more even turn to her croup. AGAIN NO NEED TO MENTION COLOR.
Moving to my middle pair, I placed 2 over 1, as 2 followed 3 more closely in terms of total
dimension of muscle. She showed more bulge, flare and expression throughout the quarter, stifle and gaskin, and did exhibit a greater length of hip. Additionally, she presented a more correct angulation to her shoulder and more prominent withers which extended further into her back, thus, giving her a shorter, stronger back in relation to a longer, more tapering underline. Further, she presented a more correct angulation to her pasterns and stood on more durable bone, although I grant that 1 did exhibit sharper chiseled features about the head and a cleaner throatlatch.
Concluding with my bottom pair, I placed 1, the grey, over 4, the brown, as 1 was a more
symmetrical individual, dividing herself more evenly into thirds when viewed from the side. GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE COLOR TERMS AGAIN.
She was more feminine about the head, being wider between the eyes, shorter down the bridge of the nose, and more refined about the muzzle. Moreover, she showed a longer, leaner neck, which tied in higher at the shoulder. Furthermore, she stood more structurally correct when viewed from both the front and the side, on a straighter column of bone. Although I must grant that 4 was closer coupled, and did stand taller at the withers, I must fault 4 and leave her at the bottom of the class today as she was the lightest muscled individual in the class, with the coarsest head and neck and she did stand sickle hocked when viewed form the side.
VERY IMPORTANT POINT – WHEN FINISHING AND LEAVING 4 ON THE BOTTOM, MAKE A COUPLE OF GENERAL STATEMENTS ABOUT WHY THE HORSE IS LAST AND QUIT. IT IS TEMPTING TO WANT TO “HAMMER” THIS HORSE, PARTICULARLY IF THEY ARE REALLY BAD FROM A CONFORMATION STANDPOINT. HOWEVER, REMEMBER THAT THE REASONS JUDGE MIGHT BE THE OWNER OF THAT HORSE AND THINK HE/SHE IS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD. IF YOU HAMMER THE HORSE, THE REASONS JUDGE MIGHT HAMMER YOU IN YOUR SCORE.
It is for these reasons that I placed this class of Aged Quarter Horse Mares, 3-2-1-4.
Beginning with the individual who dominated the class in terms of muscling, balance and
femininity, I placed this class of Aged Quarter Horse Mares 3-2-1-4. GOOD OPENING STATEMENT – SHOULD BE DESCRIPTIVE IN NATURE
In my top pair I did place 3, the palomino, PERSONALLY I DISCOURAGE THE USE OF COLOR TERMS – IT DOESN’T ADD TO THE SCORE BY TALKING ABOUT THEIR COLOR, BUT IT CAN CERTAINLY LOWER THE SCORE IF THEY USE THE WRONG COLOR. IN THIS CASE, IF WE MENTION 3 THE PALOMINO WHO IN REALITY IS 3 THE BAY.
over 2, as she displayed the greatest abundance of muscling over her largest frame. She was the widest from stifle to stifle, exhibited the greatest circumference of gaskin, and the heaviest muscled loin. Moreover, she was the deepest V'ed up front, with her forearm muscling tying lowest at the knee. In addition, she displayed the boldest spring of rib and greatest depth of heart, and did stand on the widest, most desirable foundation. GOOD COMPARATIVE TERMINOLOGY. REMEMBER OPENING STATEMENT IS DESCRIPTIVE, THE REST IS COMPARATIVE.
However, I do concede that 2, the sorrel with the wide blaze, did present a more even turn to her croup. AGAIN NO NEED TO MENTION COLOR.
Moving to my middle pair, I placed 2 over 1, as 2 followed 3 more closely in terms of total
dimension of muscle. She showed more bulge, flare and expression throughout the quarter, stifle and gaskin, and did exhibit a greater length of hip. Additionally, she presented a more correct angulation to her shoulder and more prominent withers which extended further into her back, thus, giving her a shorter, stronger back in relation to a longer, more tapering underline. Further, she presented a more correct angulation to her pasterns and stood on more durable bone, although I grant that 1 did exhibit sharper chiseled features about the head and a cleaner throatlatch.
Concluding with my bottom pair, I placed 1, the grey, over 4, the brown, as 1 was a more
symmetrical individual, dividing herself more evenly into thirds when viewed from the side. GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE COLOR TERMS AGAIN.
She was more feminine about the head, being wider between the eyes, shorter down the bridge of the nose, and more refined about the muzzle. Moreover, she showed a longer, leaner neck, which tied in higher at the shoulder. Furthermore, she stood more structurally correct when viewed from both the front and the side, on a straighter column of bone. Although I must grant that 4 was closer coupled, and did stand taller at the withers, I must fault 4 and leave her at the bottom of the class today as she was the lightest muscled individual in the class, with the coarsest head and neck and she did stand sickle hocked when viewed form the side.
VERY IMPORTANT POINT – WHEN FINISHING AND LEAVING 4 ON THE BOTTOM, MAKE A COUPLE OF GENERAL STATEMENTS ABOUT WHY THE HORSE IS LAST AND QUIT. IT IS TEMPTING TO WANT TO “HAMMER” THIS HORSE, PARTICULARLY IF THEY ARE REALLY BAD FROM A CONFORMATION STANDPOINT. HOWEVER, REMEMBER THAT THE REASONS JUDGE MIGHT BE THE OWNER OF THAT HORSE AND THINK HE/SHE IS THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD. IF YOU HAMMER THE HORSE, THE REASONS JUDGE MIGHT HAMMER YOU IN YOUR SCORE.
It is for these reasons that I placed this class of Aged Quarter Horse Mares, 3-2-1-4.
Tim Potter
J.Tim Potter, Ph.D., PAS
Area Specialized Agent-Equine
Area Specialized Agent-Equine
Monday, February 2, 2009
District Officer Nominations
Are you a natural leader? Have you even thought you would like to run for an office? Then District Officer may be the position for you. This position is very important and is responsible for planning various District Activities within the West Central 17 county area and also helping to plan state events. You must be at least 14 years old, be an active member in 4-H and have been in 4-H for more than 2 years. This is an exciting opportunity. If you want to run, Intent forms must be postmarked by March 1. The rotation for even years is President – Boy, Vice-President – Girl, Secretary-Treasurer – girl, Reporter – Boy. If you are interested please contact the Extension Office for more information or for registration forms or click here.
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