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!  

 

 

Snow, Snow, and more Snow!

Fall this year lasted about A minute, we have lots of snow, wind, below zero weather and it is only Thanksgiving. So far we have had about one or two feet of snow; but in open acreage of flat ground and the wind blowing all the time it seems like a lot more.

I still have to go out and feed and water my steers and horses; boy it is cold! I still work with my steers at least twice a week no matter what. This is not the fun part of having 4-H steers but it is part of life if you want to be a cattle producer some day.

In weather like this I just make sure to wear the correct clothing; So bundle up and keep working.

I was told that "grand champions are made over the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks".

REMEMBER "you got to want it to win it"

I had to dig out the water troth.

this drift went from one end of my calf pens to the other; and the water troth was under there somewhere!

I just kept digging until I found it and then had to keep digging so that my steers could get to it!

Can you see the corner of the troth, I kept working for about an hour and got it uncovered.

This could be a long Winter if I have to dig every day!
Here is hoping that the snow melts a little.

2010 District III Style Revue Contest

I had a great time at the District Style Revue this year; everyone did a great job. The Style Revue was held at the Wilson Theatre in Rupert Square, Rupert Idaho.
We were scored on; Posture and poise,well groomed appearance, Modeling of Outfit,Garment Presentation, Garment Construction,Pattern appropriate for Model, Fit of Garment, Choice of accessories, Color a Attractive on model, and effect of undergarments.

Thank You to All that work so hard to make the Style Revue A Great Contest and Give so Freely of their Time.
 

Here are a few pictures of the Contest.

March 21, 2009 - Steer Weigh In

Today is the beginning of my 4-H Market Beef Project. This day started early we had to load my steers and take them to be weighted in and tagged. The week before weigh in I started giving my steers grain so that when weigh in was done my steers were ready to start the 149 days to the finished Market and the joy of showing my steers at the Fair.

Forest weighted - 745 pounds
Lt. Dan weighted - 765 pounds
Bubba weighted - 785 pounds

I have set there feeding schedule and I will talk, comb, practice and exercise them on a regular basis; this is the time for me and my steers to bond.
The weather here went from very cold to warn in just a few weeks, my steers are already loosing their winter coats soon they will be slick and shiny; their winter coats will come off even faster with daily brushing, combing, and bathing. I must tell you that having a steer project is not always just doing the fun stuff; you have to clean their pins, and watch to make sure that they stay healthy and if they get sick you will have to call the veterinarian.

Fair Time 2008

After months of hard work; it is finely fair time and the fun part starts. You get to see if all your hard work pay off.
You need to keep a few things in mind: When going into the show ring the judge is not only looking at your steer He or She is also watching you. This is also the time when prospective buyer are watching and looking. You will want to look good; make sure you cloths are clean and pressed, and your hair is neat and clean. You what to look like a winner, the all American boy or girl showing the next Grand Champion.

From Start to Finish - Spring 2008

When working with your 4-H steers its all about scheduling and presistance. You feed at the same time, and water at the same time everyday.

When you work with them you need to be cool and calm, if your excited your steers will feel it and they will be excited. You also need to talk to them, your steers need to hear and know your voice.
Talk about any thing, sing, say your ABC, or if you had a bad day tell them about it; they won't tell anyone.

When in the show ring your voice will be their comfort zone, I even smell the same I use lavender soap so that my steers know my smell.