September is National Preparedness Month - a great time to build awareness of the need for emergency planning. New Jersey 4-H now offers a disaster preparedness program for youth, which teaches young people how to plan to shelter in place or evacuate with their families during an emergency. This program is in line with FEMA guidelines for youth emergency preparedness and can … [Read more...]
The Importance of Show Ring Etiquette
Etiquette is the customary and polite way to conduct yourself in the show ring. Good etiquette makes the show run smoothly, resulting in a less stressful experience for showmen and animals alike. When exhibitors are courteous and polite, the judge notices. Lack of understanding of basic show ring etiquette or deliberately thoughtless behavior disrupts the show and demonstrates … [Read more...]
Sportsmanship…Always a Priority!
Sportsmanship is defined as “conduct becoming to an individual involving fair and honest competition, courteous relations, and graceful acceptance of results.” Focusing on what you can learn makes you a better competitor and helps you improve your animal projects. Your behavior in the show ring reflects your behavior in life. Sportsmanship is a reflection of your character and … [Read more...]
Webinars as Tools for Animal Science Education
In recent months, the University of Kentucky Department of Animal and Food Sciences has been offering biweekly, 20-minute webinars on very specific topics in animal care and animal science. These livecasts are an effective educational tool because they are interactive. The hosts issue a call for questions at the end of each session and give answers in real time and incorporate … [Read more...]
What is the Coggins Test for?
The Coggins test is named for Leroy Coggins. He is the veterinarian who developed the test to detect antibodies against the equine infectious anemia virus (EIA) in 1970. It is important to note that once infected with EIA, an animal remains infected for life. Infections in horses are rare but incurable, and there is no available vaccine. That is why identifying the animals who … [Read more...]
Tick Season and Your Horse
Ticks - they seem to be everywhere this year, in your pastures and on your horse. What do you need to know to protect your horse? Why do I need to be concerned? One of the most common tick-borne diseases in this area is Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is a bacterial, tick-transmitted disease of animals and people. Areas of the country most commonly infected are the northeast … [Read more...]
With an Animal Science Degree, You Don’t HAVE to be a Vet
If you know you want to spend your life working with animals and are focused on studying Animal Science after high school, it is also important to know that veterinary school is only one of several career options after college. When applying to schools, be sure that the Animal Science program you attend will see you graduate with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. This is … [Read more...]
Tack Tagging Game
Do you need a hands-on, fun activity for your next horse club meeting? Why not try a learning game that helps your members remember the types of saddles and their parts? To set up the game, all you need is a few basic materials and several different types of saddles. To start, collect the following items; Post-It Notes®, pens and pencils, scrap paper, saddles, and saddle … [Read more...]
Your 4-H Involvement is Already Helping You Prepare for an Animal Science Degree
One of the many goals of your time as a 4-Her is learning life-skills to help you in college, the workforce, and beyond. Did you know that your involvement with Animal Science through 4-H is giving you a head start on a degree in Animal Science? Here's how: "Contact Hours": Many Animal Science degrees require students to document a set amount of hours volunteering with … [Read more...]
Winter Feeding for Horses
Photo courtesy of Dr. Carey Williams, Equine Extension Specialist, Rutgers University The winter weather is here! How do we help our 4-legged friends maintain body weight and stay healthy in the cold? The Rutgers Equine Science Center has a Fact Sheet on that! Fact Sheet #1143 authored by Drs. Carey Williams and Sarah Ralston in February 2011 is very relevant for this … [Read more...]