Horse Trainer Toby Lapp Donates his time to the Hodge Podgers 4-H Club

This year the Hodge Podgers 4-H club had their first meeting on December the 16^th 2012, and it started off with a workshop on the ground worked needed for young horses.

 

My 4-H club had the honor of having one of Idaho’s best horse trainers Toby Lapp giving of his time and knowledge to educate our club in the basics and importance of the ground work needed to have a respectful and disciplined horse.

 

Toby Lapp worked with three horses at different stages, all of which were not very far along.

 

 

The first horse Mr. Lapp worked with was a pony that had never been touched (wild) not even to have a halter put on. By the time he was done with the pony; it was haltered, leading, obeying every command that Mr. Lapp asked of her, and as cool as a cucumber not at all the animal that had to be unloaded into the pen straight from the trailer.

the yellow flag was used to rub the horses

 

 

The second was another pony that was spoiled would not lesson could be rode but only for a short time and then as Haden but it, “it was the most stupid pony ever”. On this pony Mr. Lapp worked on desensitizing, and sensitizing. With this pony it took a while but it to came around.

 

 

The third was my horse Windy; she was halter broke, could be lead, her feet have been messed with and I had started working a little with the lunge line. Windy has a mind of her own, strong willed, and this was the first trip in the horse trailer in three years. When dad went to get her out of the trailer I was not sure what would happen Windy had never seen a horse barn or been in one. Coming through the door you could tell she was a little worried ( no wreck yet) dad lead her to the pen; Mr. Lapp ask dad what her story was and dad said she had a mind of her own, and he had little to no time to work with her. With Windy Mr. Lapp went through the first two steps that he had on the pony’s just to make sure what stage Windy was at and said that each of the steps should be done every time you work with your horse.  

 

One of the most interesting things that I learned was how to help my horse to release the feel good endorphin and that when a horse head is below their withers it is releasing those endorphins and when their head is above the withers it is stressed and not thinking very well and you do not have their attention.

Toby Lapp has trained horse for 17 years; Starting to Finish Work, Cutting, Reining, Roping to Barrel Racing and Arena to Trail horses. If you need a trainer here is Toby Lapp telephone number you will be glad you called ( 208-212-3315)

 

I love Toby Lapp training mothods they are done in a humane and respectful way with the horse; I can't believe the difference in Windy.

 

 Thank Your Mr. Lapp!  

 

 

My 2012 Trip To The Western National Roundup

First I would like to thank all my sponsors; without your support my trip would not have been possible, THANK YOU.
I would now like to say Congratulations to all the Winners in each of the competitions you all did an out standing job; and it was my pleasure to meet all of you.
To all of you who worked so hard to make the Leadership Across America Western National Roundup  possible THANK YOU. I had a great time,  learned a lot and I hope to make it back next year.
To all my Family and Friends thank you for being there for me.
To all my reader I would like to say if you ever get the chance to go to a National competition Go! The experience will make you stronger and more self confident in every part of your life.
There were 962 of the best, brightest, most determined and dedicated 4-H and FFA members from 35 States and Canada at this year Western National Roundup.
 Needless to say I did have a great time; the workshops put on by Brand Lee White were outstanding, the food was great and the competition was extremely tough. I competed in the National Original Speech contest and place 4th and in the National Fashion Revue and placed 5th I received a ribbon for both. I can not wait to compete at this level again.
Now about the FUN during this event there was a pin swap, a dance, dinners, and workshops, as well as you had free time to enjoy National Western Stock Show and all that Denver has to offer.

State Photo

National Speech 4th place and National Fashion Revue 5th

My sponsors

This was the best I loved seeing all the action

Had a great time at the National Western Stock show

Style Revue

Girls just want to have fun

I had a great time

Marie Retires after 23 years

 How many time have we all in the Gooding County 4-H program stood next to Marie and shook her hand as she gave a an award of some kind? If you were not at the Year End Awards Banquet on October 9th 2011 you may not be aware that Marie officially announced her retirement. Marie's last day will be November 11, 2011.

I know that I will see her around the fair and at different events; but The extension office will seem so empty with out her smile, help, and positive words of encouragement.

                                             Thank You for 23 years of Dedication

                             Marie  Gooding County 4-H Coordinator 1988 to 2011

The Old Pioneer Cemetery (Teen Leadership Community Service Project)

Idaho is a filled with history; some of the early Pioneers are quite famous and will live forever in history books. My community service project is not about the famous pioneers; it is about the many men, women, and children who left their homes, and died in the process of building our State.

Picking a community service project is never an easy task; so when I decided to organize one for my 4-H teen leadership project, the biggest fears I had was what if no one shows up to help, the out of pocket expense, and completing it in a timely fashion.  

I would like to say that I thought of this project on my own; but that would not be true. The Old Pioneer Cemetery in Hagerman Idaho was written about last year in a local News Paper and it was one of the community service projects that my 4-H leader ( Helen Ruby) but on the table for my club (Hodge Podgers 4-H club) to do in 2010.  

Before I started I went to the Old Pioneer Cemetery and took a look to see what needed to be done; there was downed trees, weeds, and all that was needed was tender loving care .These are the before pictures

This was a Project that if no one show up to help that my club could do alone and if needed I could do myself.

 I had to get permission to do the work, the phone calls started, first I called the City of Hagerman; and got the OK. The planing stated; completion date for this project was April 30th 2011. After talking to Mac he agreed to have it mowed for me. The mowing was a big help it was really over grown( thanks Mac). Now I needed permission from my County 4-H office to get donations to keep expenses down; once I got the OK and papers needed from Marie; and had all my ducks and paper work in a row. 

I presented the project to the Hodge Podgers 4-H club on March 27th 2011 as the club community service project it was voted in

In the weeks before the completion date I needed supplies, weed killer, flowers, drinks and food for all who volunteered. 

My first stop was D&B Supply in Jerome; for weed killer. D&B donated the Round-up and 24 native perennials. Time was a factor with the Roundup so I went from D&B right to the Old Pioneer Cemetery to spay the weeds along the fence line and under  the sign where the flowers were to be planted.

 In the days that lead up to the completion of this project; Plants were donated also by The Valley Country Store in Jerome, and Kelley Garden Center Twin Falls.

When the work was all none My volunteers enjoyed Coke, water and Pizza

The Drinks were donated my Swire CoCa-Cola in Twin Falls, and the Pizza was supplied by PaPa Kelsey's in Hagerman.

Raking up all the dead weeds

I would like to Thank D&B Supply in Jerome,Valley Country Store in Jerome,Kelley Garden Center in Twin Falls, Swire CoCa-Cola in Twin Falls, and PaPa Kelseys In Hagerman for all your help and support with this project.  Your generous donations made this project a success;
THANK YOU.

Clearing out the old dead trees.

clearing dead trees

Planting flowers

Planting flowers

almost done planting all the flowers

getting water for all the plants

Project is complete

Also I would like to thank all who came out to help and my 4-H Leader Helen Ruby, and all the Parents who gave up their time to help.
Also like to thank Hannah for bring the chocolate chip cookies

after all the work was done

I will make use to water these plants

A CoCa-Cola and cookie break

Thanks for the Coke and Pizza