Hoofbeats - November 2010

Transcription

1 Hoofbeats - November 2010 Christmas Party Dec 12, 4pm La France Rd, Littlerock Chapter Officers for President - Steve Russell Vice President - Dean Hartman Secretary - Connie Bailey Treasurer - Traci Koch Alternate Director - Steve Russell due to the term still in effect for Director, Jeff LaBreck remains in that position. Meeting Minutes 11/2/2010 Littlerock Fire hall Capitol Riders Chapter, BCHW Meeting called to order by President Steve Russell at 7:07 pm Don Laurance asked if there were any additional nominees than previously published in the October minutes. There are none. Nominees - President - Steve Russell Vice President - Dean Hartman Secretary - Connie Bailey, Angelle Hickman Treasurer - Traci Koch Voting commenced- President - Steve Russell Vice President - Dean Hartman Secretary - Connie Bailey Treasurer - Traci Koch 2010 secretary Chris read the October meeting minutes,. Motion to approve as read, seconded and passed. Chapter bylaws - motion was made to approve, seconded and passed. Director and Alternate Director discussion ensued concerning term of office. Director - Jeff LaBreck. No other nominees. A motion was made to amend the bylaws for the Director s term of office for a one time variance. There was discussion and the motion withdrawn. Alternate Director - Nominee Steve Russell. The position is a two year term. As Chris has decided to not fill the posi- 1

2 tion Steve volunteered. Steve was elected to the position of Alternate Director. Treasurers report - Traci said the chapter is solvent with one outstanding check.. Committees - Dean brought up club rides. There are 10 overnight rides on the list. BBQ Flats-Wenas, Buck Creek, Mount Muller, Mount Adams, Keenes, Green River, Teanaway, Horse Park, West Fork Humptulips, Conejo (California), Sisters (Oregon). Day rides - Green Mountain, Kennedy Creek, Crystal Mountain, Fort Lewis, Scattercreek, Capitol Forest. The chapter Christmas party is December 12th. 4 pm, Rob Keyser s barn in Littlerock, La France Road. A discussion regarding meat and other supplies ensued. A sign-up sheet was passed around. A date to plan club rides was brought up. (ed. no specific date mentioned). Work Parties - Jeff. Jeff said there is a DNR volunteer training class on November 13, ADNR Forest Watch training on November 18, 6 to 9 pm, and a DNR User Group meeting on November 19, 6 to 8 pm. It was mentioned there will be a work party at the Sahara Horse Camp in Elbe on Nov 4, 8 am. There will be a Kennedy Creek work party but the date is open. The group will re-flag trails due to logging. The Nisqually Chapter on Nov 14th will be working on a trail reroute on the Lost Valley Loop, Fall Creek. Directors report - nothing. A discussion about insurance commenced. For a Certificate of Insurance the date of the event is known in advance. Meeting adjourned 8:10 pm Respectfully submitted, Chris Enrico Secretary, Capitol Riders. Traci to provide treats for the January general meeting. 2

3 Christmas party on December 12th, 4 pm, La France Rd in Littlerock This is Rob Keyser s barn. (just north of the Chevron gas station.) A potluck affair! As of 11/28: Side dish - Tom and Tootie Shrimp cocktail - Connie Salad and chips - Jeff Side dish - Mel Scalloped potatoes and Ham - Joyce Sweet potatoes - Anita and Norm Pumpkin pie and Cranberry salad - Jayne Chips and beer or pies - Steve Salad - Dean and Susan Green bean casserole - Carrie Baked beans - Denise Dessert - Sandra Mac & Cheese (real deal although I ve been known to open a box) - Chris Fruit salad - Traci ideas - chutney - goes well with ham cabbage (cooked of course) rice (long grain/wild) cake buns/bread baked apples stuffed mushrooms coffee/tea We also decided to do a gift exchange, $10 minimum on the gift. General rules are as follows - a gift may be stolen up to three times. After that it remains with the last person in possession. If a person has a gift taken they can steal one from someone so long as it s not be stolen three times, or go to the tree/table for an unopened gift. A person cannot take the gift just stolen from them but must find another. With the more popular gifts this can be a LOT of fun. What can be had for $10 or a bit more? Well, many many bottles of various liquids or chocolates for starters. The liquids tend to be popular with most folks. Or perhaps you like to bake? (home baked - YUM!) I love fudge! 3

4 Dental Clinic Capitol Riders member Ritz Duchesne scheduled the fall dental clinic for Dr. Richard Vetter. November 6th found a stream of patients coming and going from Ritz home where Dr. Vetter is able to pull his mobile dental clinic in and take care of many returning clients and some new ones as well. There are two such clinics scheduled annually -- one in May and one in November. Dr. and Kathy Vetter give top notch care to their patients and their owners. Sandra White took her Tennessee Walker to the clinic and between Sandra and Nichi, Sandra was the most nervous of the two! After Nichi was brought into the chute, Sandra was briefed on what was going to happen to her horse. Sandra glanced back and Nichi had her head nestled in Dr. Vetter s arms and he was talking to her. Nichi had already recieved her sedation and Dr. Vetter was closely monitoring her. Before Nichi was brought into the trailer, her health history and vitals were taken. Kathy Vetter watched and tracked Nichi s reaction throughout the entire procedure. Kathy s kind, gentle touching seemed to keep the horses at ease with the strange goings on. Before we knew it, Dr. Vetter said she was done. Sandra was briefed on what he found and did for the horse and given follow-up procedures for the next couple of days. The horses stay close to their owners until they are alert enough to be trailered home. Vaccinations were also made available by Dr. Vetter. It is this writers opinion that having our horses dental health taken care of is directly linked to their quality and longevity of life. Yes, it is another expense, and our riding partners are worth every penny! Contact Ritz Duchesne at to be scheduled for the May clinic. Appointments go fast, so don t wait until the last minute. You will be glad you did! And thank you, Ritz, for your efforts in making this service available to Capitol Riders. Having a top notch vet who specializes in equine dental care to take care of our horses, mules and donkeys is a great membership benefit! Kathy Vetter monitors each horse closely during the dental procedures Nichi says this is easy -- just open wide! 4

5 COME PLAY WITH US! Tom and Tootie Crowson and Sandra White didn t let a great day of riding pass them up! Sunday, November 21st promised a snowflake or two and Capitol Riders members Tom, Tootie and Sandra went in search of some snow to ride in. They weren t at all disappointed as you can see from the pictures. Tom and Sugar don t miss an opportunity to have their picture taken and Tom sends Thanksgiving greetings to all Capitol Rider members! Tootie and Holly posed for a picture as well -- Tom was a little shakey in taking the shot, but we d all know that Appy, Holly, and her trail partner, Tootie, anywhere -- even iin a blurry, off-center picture! Tootie took Sandra and Nichi s picture to document a great ride on Ft. Lewis, Area 22. This was Sandra and Nichi s first ride in the snow and first ride with Nichi s early Christmas present, a new saddle. The day and ride were perfect. Sandra could be heard asking why everyone wasn t coming out to play on such a marvelous day for riding. Tom Crowson and Sugar sending warm Thanksgiving wishes from he and his lovely riding partners; his Sweetie, Tootie and their friend, Sandra! 5

6 Yes, this really is Tootie and Holly. A very thankful Sandra for the gift of trail riding with her special riding partner, Nichi, and fellow Capitol Riders Tom and Tootie Crowson! 6

7 Fall and Winter LNT/Education The weather has changed and we have colder and wetter riding and horse keeping chores. Here are a few suggestions. 1. When riding, stay warm and dry by being prepared. Carry rain clothes, gloves, and a hat or helmet. 2. Wear bright colors during hunting season and talk with hunters about keeping a clean camp and using Leave No Trace practices. 3. Clean and oil your tack. Check for wear (split leather) and replace if necessary. Don t wait for it to get weaker and break apart! You may end up on the ground or have a runaway horse if equipment breaks. 4. Ride on hardened trails or roads. Be responsible and stay off muddy trails. Stay on the trail. Don t take shortcuts onto soft surfaces. 5. Ride the CENTER of the trail. Make an effort to train your horse to go through the mud puddles. Eventually, they will learn not to step aside and off the trail causing the trail to be widened. Widening trails causes erosion and damages plants. Mud Recipe for mud: 1 part soil + 2 parts water + 1 part manure Horse keeping and Mud Management Remove water Keep rainwater away from your barn and paddock areas. Use gutters to channel rain off of the roof and drain into downspouts away from the barn/paddocks. Remove manure Pick up manure and remove it from all wet areas in and around your barn and paddock areas. The best solution is to move it into a covered manure-composting bin. (Contact Thurston County Conservation for construction information.) Other solutions include moving the manure to a dry location away from runoff areas to a covered manure pile. When the manure is composted (@ 6 months) it can be spread onto a pasture during the growing season. Prevent Mud Prevent muddy paddocks by removing the water and manure then install several inches of 5/8 minus gravel and/or geotextile (road) fabric. Mud is hazardous to you and your horses health. It provides a breeding ground for flies It causes thrush, rain scald, and other fungal problems Dried mud produces mold and can cause respiratory problems for your horse or YOU. 7

8 Horses Behavior and Welfare Negatively Impacted by Low-Fiber Diets by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc November , Article # Despite the fact that horses evolved on a forage-based diet that is high in fiber and low in calories, some horse owners and trainers just can t resist feeding a low-fiber, calorie-dense diet. Horses are grazing animals, explains Katherine A. Houpt, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, a professor emeritus of Cornell University s College of Veterinary Medicine. When they are denied access to pasture to partake in this natural activity, health and behavior issues arise, like the development of gastric ulcers and destruction of wood fences and stall walls. To determine if horses welfare, in addition to their health, was compromised when denied fiber, Houpt and co-author Jaime Elia assessed the motivation for fiber of eight mares fed two different diets, either orchardgrass hay ad libitum or a complete pelleted feed, for three weeks. The horses were also trained to press a panel to obtain a food reward. We found that when horses were fed pellets, they worked harder to obtain a hay food reward than when they were fed hay, said Houpt. In addition, the researchers also found that: Horses fed hay spent 61.5% of their time (throughout a 24-hour period) eating, while horses fed pellets spent only 10% of their time eating, Horses fed pellets spent 58% of their time standing while horses fed hay spent 37% of their time standing, and Horses fed pellets spent 11.5% of the their time sifting through the bedding of their stall looking for food whereas horses fed hay only spent 1.2% of their time practicing this searching behavior. According to Houpt, These findings clearly show that horses were motivated to work for hay when they were fed a pelleted diet, but not when they were fed a hay diet. That is, these horses showed a hunger for hay when fed a pelleted diet. The authors concluded that a reduction in dietary fiber has a major impact on the behavior and physiology of horses. They recommend feeding at least half a bale of first cutting hay per day, or offering free choice hay. The study, Motivation for hay: Effects of a pelleted diet on behavior and physiology of horses, is scheduled to be published in an upcoming edition of the journal Physiology & Behavior. The abstract is currently available on PubMed. This and other like articles are available on horse.com 8

9 To join or renew your membership with BCHW, complete this application: Please PRINT LEGIBLY. Sign the LIABILITY RELEASE (all members over 18). Make checks out to CAPITOL RIDERS. Give or mail the application to Chapter Treasurer: Traci Koch 61 SE Craddick Road, Shelton, WA New Member Adult s name(s): Renewal Membership number(s): Children s name(s): Address: City: ST: Zip: Phone number: Legislative district (if known): County: Basic Membership Single $36.00 Family $49.00 Optional Membership (includes family or single from above) Chapter Name (or Independent): Capitol Riders Chapter Dues - Single $ Family $15.00 $ Contributing $65.00 Sustaining $ Patron $ Additional Chapter Donation $ Benefactor $ Lifetime (Single) $ State dues paid online (attach receipt copy) Subtotal B $ Additional State Donation $ Subtotal A $ Grand Total (A+B) $ All ADULT members MUST sign! Adult s signature covers minor children. Recognizing the fact that there is a potential for an accident wherever horse use is involved, which can cause injuries to horses, riders, and spectators, and also recognizing the fact that Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, Inc., including Chapters, officers, directors, or members, cannot always know the condition of trails or the experience levels of riders or horses taking part in trail rides or other BCHW events, I do hereby release and hold harmless the above named from any claim or right for damages which might occur to me, my minor children, or horses. Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: Date: Date: Backcountry Horsemen of Washington (BCHW) is a public charity as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Accordingly, membership dues paid to BCHW may be treated as deductions characterized as charitable contributions when computing federal and state income tax obligations. Revised 11/09/10! See payment and mailing information above.!

10 Calendar (partial) of Events for Dec 12th - Christmas Party, 4 pm The 2011 calendar is still in the planning stages but general meetings will continue to fall on the 1st Tuesday of the month at Littlerock fire hall. Some dates have been filled in with rides by other chapters. Chris Enrico th Ave SE Lacey WA Capitol Riders