EQUINE SCIENCE SOCIETY SYMPOSIUM

The University of Arkansas, D. E. King Equine Program was well represented at the 2007 Equine Science Society (ESS) symposium in Baltimore Maryland. The ESS is an international group of equine researchers, extension agents, professors, horse industry professionals and students who study equine physiology, nutrition, and science. Members present and share cutting-edge research, teaching methods, and extension program ideas. Tours of the area equine industry, local sightseeing and great food were part of the event. At this year’s ESS meeting members of the D. E. King Equine Program presented 4 research papers and 2 research posters.

Operation of the D. E. King Equine Program is uniquely self-funded, making its design and management of wide interest to the other programs represented at the symposium. D. E. King Equine Program supporters, like members of the Nettleship Society for Excellence in Equine Education have made this possible. Their continued support has elevated the D. E. King Equine Program to national prominence.

Students Kellie Hampy, Laura McKenzie, Jana Reynolds, Kim Cole and Janice Holland, Program Director, N. E. Jack, Barn Manager/Event Coordinator, Kathi Jogan, Arena Manager, Danny Belcher, and State Equine Extension Specialist, Steve Jones
 

SARAH LOEWER CROWNED MISS RODEO OF THE OZARKS

Congratulations to Miss Sarah Loewer on winning the title of Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks this 4th of July at the 63rd Annual Rodeo in Springdale, AR.  Royalty is nothing new to Sarah; in 2005 she was honored as the Oak Grove Riding Club Queen in Springdale, AR.  In 2006 Sarah was crowned Miss Madison County I.P.R.A. Rodeo Queen, and also Miss Congenitally and First Runner up at the Rodeo of the Ozarks.  Those who know Sarah understand that when she sets her mind to something, she doesn't let go until she reaches her goal!   

Sarah is the daughter of Keith and Cindy Loewer of Lowell, AR. She is currently attending the University of Arkansas and North West Arkansas Community College and is working her way towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science.  Sarah has been an EPV (Equine Program Volunteer) for the D.E. King Equine Program since high school and continues to support the program with her many talents.  Sarah's million dollar smile, cheerful attitude, eager spirit and unwavering ambition make her quite an asset to the program and a joy to be around. 

The Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks Pageant is held during the annual Rodeo with the announcement of the winner being made during the July 4th performance. Girls between the ages of 15-24 are judged on appearance, personality, and horsemanship. Contestants must be from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, or Kansas.  For more information about the Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks Pageant go to http://parsonsstadium.com/ click on '63rd Rodeo of the Ozarks' and from there you will see the link 'Queen Pageant'.

To learn more about becoming an Equine Program Volunteer click here>> or send an email to Dr. Nancy Jack: njack@uark.edu
 

youth achievements - springdale sisters - Leann

Leann and Lori Wilkinson of Springdale, AR, are the daughters of Lester and Teri Wilkinson.  Leann and Lori are members of several associations including NWA Gaited Horse Club, Tennessee Walking Horse Assoc., Racking Horse Assoc., and they both show and place well in the NWA region and various national shows.  Both girls are assistant riding instructors at Cherrywood Stables in Springdale, AR.  They have also done volunteer work for the D.E. King Equine Program.  Leann will be attending Arkansas Tech to study pharmacy this fall and Lori will be a sophomore at Harber High School.

Leann Wilkinson and Sabian, her horse

My horse career began as a two year old at a rodeo. My parents paid for my older sister to ride the pony ride, but she refused so they put me on the pony instead. From that moment on, there was no stopping this horse lover. In my younger years, I was not around horses much. My aunt owns an old paint quarter horse that we would ride when we came to visit, which was not very often. When I was eight, we finally moved to Northwest Arkansas, where my aunt lives. My sister and I began attending play days to race barrels and poles. This was only the beginning of our horse careers though. My cousin was a member of the Rodeo of the Ozarks Rounders and had connections to many barns, but her sponsor when she finally competed for queen was a barn in Lowell. We started riding horses at the barn with her. I was attached to a sorrel pony named Gypsy. I raced her until my legs were dragging the ground when I rode her, then I had no choice but to find a different horse. Unfortunately, at this time, my cousin got married and Duffy, the owner of the barn got very sick, so we were out of luck for a while.
 
After a couple years of being horseless, we met Ron Parnell, a man at our church that owned a few gaited horses. We started taking lessons in exchange for mucking stalls. I learned to ride Lonesome Dove, a beautiful old dapple gray mare. She was the greatest teacher I have ever had. She was the most easy going horse, and was patient while I was learning the correct way to sit and hold the reins while riding a gaited horse. After a couple years of riding Dove, I fell in love with her grandson, Sabian.
Sabian was a black yearling. I played with him all the time, and so when he turned two, I grabbed a halter and lead rope and started riding him. He was the easiest horse to break, and I loved him dearly because he had his grandmother’s personality. Ron would always say that he would climb a tree if I asked him to. He was the perfect horse for me. Ron decided I could have him if I would work him and make him do well. When show season came around, I proved that he could be amazing. We earned 30 ribbons in a single show season. He was a racking fool, as many would call him. He was and is a great show horse and a great trail horse. He is the most easygoing horse, and I will never part with him. When I am not working with Sabian, I am helping with other people’s horses. I have helped to break two fox trotters, and have exercised many others for owners. I love spending time with horses even if it is just for grooming. I cannot imagine life without horses. The old saying “if there are no horses in heaven, then I don’t wanna go there” most definitely applies to my life.
 

youth achievements - springdale sisters - Lori

Lori Wilkinson and Silas

Horses have made a huge impact on my life. I can’t really remember exactly when I first rode a horse, it was so long ago. My first time was probably either on one of my aunt’s ponies or her horse Paint. I started out riding quarter horses at Oak Grove Riding Club at play days. In 1999, I competed in the princess contest at Oak Grove. I won on a horse called Zippo Patty. Since I was Princess and a member at OGRC, I rode in the 4th of July parade and was in the Little Grand Entry at the rodeo. I was mainly involved with horses because of my cousin Casey, and when she stopped riding as much, I stopped riding.

When I was in 6th grade, I had Sue Parks as a teacher. I knew Mrs. Parks from church and she had four fox trotters. She told me I could come out to her house and ride with her when school got out for summer. Then she had surgery and her doctor told her she couldn’t ride for a while, so she told me that Ron Parnell, who also goes to my church, gives lessons. So my sister Leann and I decided we would go take lessons. We’ve been riding out at Ron’s ever since then, mostly training and giving lessons. Leann and I both started out on Dove and Becky, and then Ron let us start training Sabian. Whenever J.A.G. came along, I took over training him, so Ron gave him to me. J.A.G. is now a 4 year old palomino fox trotter. He’s still a work in progress, but he is turning out to be an excellent horse, even though he’s on the small side. I’m going to have to brag on him a little bit; he is gorgeous. I’m going to start working on teaching him to stand still so I can show him in model classes. I love being at Cherrywood Stables. I get to ride extremely talented horses, and help other people learn how to ride. During the last show season, I mainly showed a racking horse named Silas. He is one of my favorite horses to ride and he does really well. We take home lots of 1st and 2nd place ribbons. I’m so excited for show season to start this year. I don’t know what I’d do if horses weren’t a part of my life.

Jobs Open at the Texas Animal Health Commission

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), is currently seeking several great employees in the following positions:
#07-20  Animal Health Inspector (Area 3) -- Corsicana
#07- 21  Animal Health Inspector (Area 6)--Fredericksburg
#07- 22  Animal Health Inspector (Area 2)--Liberty
#07- 23 Animal Health Inspector (Area 5)--Hondo
#07-26 Animal Health Inspector (Area 5)--Edinburg

Job descriptions, qualification requirements, applications and instructions are provided on the TAHC's web page at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us . On the left side of the home page, scroll down and click on "Employment" to access the page with all the necessary information.  (If you prefer,  the direct link to the Employment page is at: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/agency/employment/employment.shtml

If you have problems accessing the TAHC web site or the TAHC Employment page, please email me or call the TAHC at 800-550-8242 and ask for Human Resources.

Carla Everett
TAHC Public Information

RAZORBACK ROUNDUP

Although it is early in July, Razorback Roundup 2007 is already in the works with trips to various farms for viewing horses to be considered for sale at the Roundup.  Each year 18 - 20 horses are sold at the program's auction, all of which have been trained and handled by students of the program's Behavior and Training Class.  Most of the horses are donated and a few are raised  as part of our breeding program.  This year's auction will be held on November 17, 2007.

Click here>> to see video footage of Akkabar, a gorgeous Arabian gelding, prancing for the camera!  Akkabar will be sold at this year's auction.  Isn't he a beauty!
 

2007 Arkansas Hay Day

The 2007 Arkansas Hay Day will be held July 12th at the Whitaker Arena in Fayetteville. The trade show will begin at 8:00 a.m. See a variety of farm products and farm service vendors on display.

The morning program will begin at 9:00 with Bob Woods, OSU Area Agronomy specialist, speaking on Horse Healthy Hay. Dr. Nathan Slaton, director of the U of A soil testing program will cover Soil Fertility and its role in hay yield. Then a producer panel of top Bermuda hay producers will cover some tips for maximum hay quality.

There will be a free lunch sponsored by Farm Credit Services and Farm Bureau.

The afternoon portion of the program will feature weed control demonstration plots, large animal composting and of course a side by side comparison of the latest models of equipment for hay production.

This program presented by the University of Arkansas and the U of A Cooperative Extension Service.

IT'S TICK TIME!

Ticks are the number one vector of infectious disease in the United States and run a close second to mosquitoes worldwide. Tick-borne illnesses constitute an important health problem that has increased over the past 20 years as humans increasingly live and play in rural areas. Tick-borne disease can result from infection with bacteria, viruses, parasites and from toxins or venom from the tick itself.

Ticks as Vectors
Ticks act as reservoirs or amplifiers for microorganisms. In the amplifier system, the reservoir is a vertebrate such as a mouse or deer and a tick transmits or amplifies the disease. The organism responsible for Lyme disease has many hosts and relies on the tick for transmission. Humans are incidental or dead end hosts for the microorganism.

In the reservoir system the microorganism is passed from one generation to the next. The pathogen depends only on the tick for survival. The organism causing Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever needs only the tick population to sustain the life cycle.

Studies have shown that the longer a tick stays on the more likely it is to transmit disease. If a deer tick is attached for less than 36 hours the risk of transmitting Lyme disease is pretty low. Common sense suggests that the sooner you remove a tick the better. Source: RangerDJ.com>>

Removing Ticks
There is only ONE way to remove a tick! Grasp a tick firmly by its mouthparts with a pair of tweezers, being careful not to spill its body or mouth contents into or onto your skin.  If you must use fingers to remove a tick, always use paper, plastic or something between skin and tick. Slowly, firmly, steadily; grasping as close to the skin as possible; pull the tick straight out, gently. NEVER! try to smother, poison or burn a tick. And never twist a tick! It could cause the tick to release its potential diseases. Wash hands thoroughly. Clean the bite with alcohol.

Don't throw a tick away! Freeze it or put it a small container with moist tissue and test it for diseases.  Wilder Network,  Click to View Source>>

Prevention on Pets
Sprays, dips, or bathing with an acaricide or use of a systemic acaricide administered topically are effective means of controlling ticks.  There are many products available; Pyrethrins, Carbaryl, Malathion, Lindane, Amitraz, permethrin and chlorfenvinphos are just a few. Most are effective for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment.

Products containing phenylpyrazole as an active ingredient appear to provide the best protection. 

Collars containing propoxur and dichlorvos provide rapid control of ticks with all ticks that were attached being killed by 72 hours after application. Collars with chlorfenvinphos provided the greatest and longest protection against reinfestation.  (Abbreviated from article by OK State) Click here to view the source>>

TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMM.

FEVER TICK QUARANTINE IN TEXAS  "At this time, we do not know the extent of the infestation in this preventive fever tick quarantined area. However, tick infestation is possible, and therefore, we must take extraordinary precautions to prevent the spread of these very dangerous pests.  Keeping the fever tick out of the U.S. is essential. Infected ticks can kill thousands of cattle, and our ability to move animals without restriction could be severely limited. The implementation of this preventive fever tick quarantine is expected to be temporary and will be released as soon as possible."  Dr. Hillman, Texas State veterinarian and executive director of the TAHC, the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency.  Read the full press release>>
 

position announcement

Assistant Professor
Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University.

Responsibilities include serving as the primary instructor in equine courses, including coordination of equine courses taught by other faculty members and student equestrian coaches; teaching may include equine industries, marketing, stable management, senior level equine systems, and other course offerings as appropriate, depending on experience; development and delivery of expanded course offerings in the equine option; providing leadership to and further strengthening the equine option; developing an extension program in equine science that serves the adult horse producer; interacting and providing leadership in strengthening the Department's relationship with Oregon's horse industry; advising students and possibly serving as an advisor or coordinator of student clubs. Position is a full-time, 12-month, .75 tenure-track position. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Required qualifications include A Ph.D. in Animal or Equine Science or a closely related field completed by the date of appointment with major course work in animal science and documented successful management and teaching experience in the horse industry; proven ability in teaching horse management classes; ability to work and effectively communicate with a variety of people, including students, other staff and faculty, and industry leaders; and ability to communicate orally and through written work in scientific publications, fact sheets and popular media. Preferred qualifications include excellent written and verbal skills; general knowledge of computers, and skills for using word processing, presentation and data management software; ability to obtain extramural funding and program development and enhancement; and a demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

To review posting and apply, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs Full Consideration Date:07/21/07. OSU is an AA/EOE, and has a policy of being responsive to dual-career needs.

James Males, PhD, PAS
541-737-1891 or james.males@oregonstate.edu