Learn about horses at Oklahoma County Extension
The Oklahoma County Extension office is putting on a cool program for folks interested in horse care:
Anyone who is interested in horses and wants to find out more about their training and care are invited to take part in the Oklahoma City area Horse Short Course beginning Thursday, September 10, at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension auditorium.
Classes will get underway at 6:30 and continue until 8:30 p.m. every Thursday evening through October 22.
Instructors for the course include Dr. David Freeman, a State Extension Equine Specialist, Veterinarian Dr. Gene Parker, John Letham, a successful horse breeder, and Dr. Justin Talley, a State Extension Entomologist.
Training, nutrition, feeding management, pasture and hay needs, and breeding management are also courses that will be addressed in the seminar.
“This should be the single-most informative class horse lovers could take to find out what they need to know about the care and management of horses,” said Ray Ridlen, Agriculture and Horticulture Educator for the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service and an instructor for the course.
The seminar will be limited to the first 30 people and a pre-registration fee of $30 is required. For more information about the seminar, contact the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Center at 713-1125.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a great day for okapis
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Okapi calf may opt to hide out for a bit. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Three dogs steal their way into family members’ hearts. (Norman)
- For 70 seized horses, a chance at new life. (Pauls Valley)
- Abused corgi mix needs a new home. (Broken Arrow)
- Group launches spay, neuter effort. (Tulsa)
- Group examines hunting, fishing license changes. (state capitol)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – horses saved
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Horses’ health deemed poor. (Pauls Valley)
- Court denies fishing rights. (Ohio)
- 29 species may need federal protection. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Horse Sense – brought to you by the Extension Service
Those folks over at the Oklahoma County Extension Service are always doing fun things. Here’s one of their latest classes you can take.
Learning to care for a horse is no easy undertaking.
A whole lot goes into the care and maintenance of these animals,” stated Ray Ridlen, Agriculture Educator for the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service. “Anyone who undertakes the task of caring for one needs to know the challenges that must be faced.”
To help Oklahoma City area residents become more knowledgeable about the care and training of horses, the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service will offer a seven-week “Horse Short Course” this September and October.
Classes will begin on Thursday, September 10, at the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Service in Oklahoma City from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will continue on each Thursday evening until October 22.
“We’ve set the program up so that the average horse owner or someone who is thinking about getting a horse can learn quite a bit about the management and care of their charges,” commented Ridlen, who will serve as one of the instructors for the course. “Some of the state’s foremost experts in equine topics will be speaking during this course.”
Dr. David Freeman, an OSU Extension Equine Specialist, will begin the course by talking about the basics of horse ownership and care. This includes an overview about the current horse industry, an assessment of production and use goals, and identification of operating expenses.
Other specialists teaching the course include Dr. Gene Parker, Area Animal Quality and Health Specialist, Dr. Justin Talley, OSU Extension Entomology Specialist, and Sherman Grubb, Creek County Extension Educator.
“We’ve set the course up so that each week the horse enthusiasts can learn quite a bit on a different subject,” Ridlen stated. “This program has been done in other places throughout the state and has proven to be a great help to horse owners.”
Nutrition, feeding management, pasture, fencing, forage production, pest control, breeding specifics, and even behavior principals for training are also courses that will be addressed in the seminar.
In addition to the in-class course work, participants will also visit a successful horse training operation in Yukon, OK, as they learn more about training principals from local breeder John Lethem.
“There shouldn’t be a dull moment in these seminar courses,” Ridlen stressed. “This should be the single-most informative class horse lovers could take to find out what they need to know about the care and management of horse stock.”
Horse ownership is not required for the course, since it has also been designed to help people to plan for a horse they plan to own in the future.
The seminar will be limited to the first 30 people and a pre-registration fee of $30 is required. For more information about the seminar, contact the Oklahoma County OSU Cooperative Extension Center at 713-1125.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Tiny horse big on cute
Meet Koda, the smallest horse I’ve ever seen.
Koda is an American miniature horse, a breed that is meant to be tiny. But even for the breed, Koda is small. He was diagnosed as a dwarf, being only the size of a typical house cat. What he lacks in size, Koda makes up for in sure hugability. He is, not surprisingly, often confused for a stuffed toy by people who are astonished at his size.
Koda stuggled early in life with some health problems because of his small stature, but he is reportedly feeling better now. Vets have performed several surgeries on his legs, and he also has issues with his face.
I picture Koda wearing a tiny saddle, with a hamster riding him.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pets in the paper – alpaca your bags for OSU!
Wow! We have lots to catch up since I left for a mini-vacation. Here are the animal stories in The Oklahoman since Friday -
- Growing alpaca population spurs more training at OSU. (Stillwater, video below)
- Smelly penguins, research await OSU team in Antarctica. (Stillwater)
- Facial surgeris let dog flourish. (Tulsa)
- Watching Wildlife in the Wichitas. (Lawton, blog)
- As the wild boar population increases, the chase to bag them is getting more popular. (statewide)
- Horse show gallops to close. (Oklahoma City, page 17a, Sunday)
- Exterminator warns fo bee-killing ants. (Texas)
- At least 27 reported ill in ground beef recall. (California)
- Trotting on the “old Hollywood trail.” (California)
- Rescuers unable to save whales. (Florida, page 4d, Tuesday)
- Are you a bird watcher? (nationwide, page 1d, Sunday)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – taking the reins
Check out these stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Youths take the reins at Quarter Horse event. (Oklahoma City)
- Catching hope: Burned children get a chance at fun at firefighters’ camp. (Pryor)
- Tips offered to avoid insect stings. (nationwide, page 2c, Monday)
- Lost dog found after nine years. (Australia, page 13a, Sunday)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – chained up in downtown
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today and yesterday -
- Contestants to be chained like dogs. (Oklahoma City)
- Oklahoma Cowman magazine editor dies. (Midwest City)
- Youths seek wins during horse show. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Rescued cat becomes center of attention. (Moore)
- Cash-saving tips can benefit pets. (Nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a dog that tucks children in bed
Holy moly! I was out of town, so there’s lots of catching up to do. Here are the animal stories in The Oklahoma today, yesterday, Saturday and Friday -
- For kids in therapy, a new best friend. (Oklahoma City, video below)
- Funding issues hamper animal rescue’s efforts. (Harrah)
- Two men hurt in attack by pit bulls. (Midwest City)
- Car show benefits pets. (Oklahoma City)
- Horse show to draw top trainers. (Ardmore)
- Rescue calls charges in cruelty case “sad.” (Sayre)
- More arrests expected in illegal horse racing. (Guymon)
- Report: Goodell decides on Vick. (New Jersey)
- Owens says NFL unfair in handling Vick’s status. (New York)
- Film may put critters in false light. (California)
- Meat packer suspended. (Kansas)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – baby zebra makes his entrance
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Baby zebra shows of his stripes. (Oklahoma City)
- Pretty boy strikes glamour pose. (Edmond)
- Horse rescue must find new home. (Ada, video below)
- Officials hit roadblock in poultry suit. (Tulsa)
- Airline just for pets takes flight. (New York)
- Chihuahua of ads for Taco Bell dies. (California, read our tribute blog here)
- Eclipse ushers in rare birth. (China, page 7a)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
