Let’s Start a Youth Division of theStockmens Coalition

Editor’s note: Sixteen-year-old Mason Spradlinhas been riding competitively for several years inyouth classes at local and regional Arabian horseshows. He and his mother, Becky, participated inthe Ride for Research earlier this year and wantedto assist the Coalition with education and otherprograms focused on youth. We asked him tointroduce the idea in this edition .

“Good habits formed at youth make all thedifference” -Aristotle

The good habits mentioned above not onlycome at youth, but by hard work. TheStockmens Coalition promotes hard work,

but mostly volunteer work performed by the adultsof the organization. But what about the youth? Theyoung people of tomorrow, today? How shall theybecome leaders of the future of the StockmensCoalition or future organizations? But fear not

fellow members, there is a solution, The StockmensCoalition Youth Group.

  As you may know an organization typicallyconsists of a board of governors which may includea president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, andvarious other roles. This board would also beassisted by the main board of the StockmenCoalition. This board would be made up of the youththat belong to the Stockmens Coalition.   Whichbrings up another point, who to tell about joining?We would like to get in touch with the local JuniorRodeo or maybe even some of the local 4-h groups.With these young people we could do morevolunteer work along with the Coalition as a whole.

  A youth group involved with the StockmenCoalition would be helpful for teenagers attendinghigh-school, such as myself, to help count towardsour volunteer hours for graduating. Also if you area senior you could use this group for a seniorproject, if required by your school.

 So if you believe in the young leaders of tomorrow,why not start them today with the StockmensCoalition Youth Group.by Mason Spradlin

Editor’s note: We would like to hear from youthon this topic which Mason Spradline raises,Pleasecontact us as shown on the bottom of this page orthe regular mail address on the last page. As avolunteer organization, your thoughts andcomments are important to us.

Supporting the Coalition and the Community Comes Easy

Aug/Sept 2012Volume 2, Issue 3

Publication of the Stockmens Coalition

The Stockmens Chatter is a publication of the Stockmens Coalition, a Washington non-profit organizationformed in 2009 to assist livestock owners and their animals. We offer information to owners regardingaspects of livestock care, provide temporary assistance for owners having financial or medical difficulties,and serve as an advocate on issues affecting livestock ownership. Our monthly general membershipmeetings are open to the public, and we welcome anyone with an interest in caring for livestock. Manyof our events are focused on equestrian activities, and in sharing with other livestock owners.

Please contact us at: info@stockmens-coalition.orgYou may also leave a messageon the Stockmens Coalition Message Center (360.470.8999)

Mason Spradlin,competes in NativeCostume and CountryEnglish Pleasure withhis horse Halstead’sMatador. Mason wantsto help establish ayouth division of theStockmens Coalition

Inside this issue page 2 Spring Livestock seminar Rebuilding a Bridge

page 3 Winter care Seminar Veterinarians Corner

The StockmensCoalition hosted aSpring Livestock

seminar on May 30th at theCity of Lacey’s CommunityRoom, focused on biohazardsand care for . Dr. Larry Castlefrom Deschutes VeterinaryHospital in Tumwater talkedabout the care of smallruminates, sheep, goats, lamasand alpacas. Dr. Chris Affeldtfrom Cascade West VeterinaryHospital presented informationon the care of Equines,including horses and mules.

Topics includedvaccinations, basic nutrition,parasite control and shelter.

The seminar was lightlyattended but those therereceived a wealth of

information. Coalitionmember Sandy LeaVell said itwas 2 hours well spent and thatshe learned a lot.

Stockmens Coalition plansmore educational seminars onanimal care and is planning anutrition and hoof care clinicSeptember 29 with Dr EverettMacomber and farrier MikePrice. A free spaghetti lunchwill be served beforehand.The seminar will be at the OldGate Schoolhouse, MoonRoad and 170th, Rochester.More information is availableon the Coalition website:www.stockmens-coalition.org

and FACEBOOK

SPRING LIVESTOCK SEMINAR

Sometimes theassistance requestedfrom the Stockmens

Coalition doesn’t involve carefor animals. In June, theDepartment of NaturalResources (DNR) asked theCoalition to repair apedestrian bridge near the FallCreek Campground to make itsafe for Summer use. A treehad fallen across the bridgeduring the January ice storm,crushing wooden supports andrailing which made it unsafefor trail users.

Coalition members VicMott, Larry Walker and NickCockrell carried equipment tothe bridge site. They removed

splintered wood, cut newmaterials and attached itto wooden uprights. Aportable generatorprovided electricity forsaws; hammers,wrenches, drills and pry-bars were also needed. Aseveral hour job made therepairs required for safebridge traffic.

DNR recreation staffexpressed appreciationfor the work completedby Coalition members.

Thanks, guys, forhelping to keep the trailssafe for all users, includingour friends on horseback.

Stockmens Coalition rebuild bridge in Capitol Forest

From left, Dr. Chris Affeldt,Coalition board memberVivian Johnston, Dr. LarryCastle)

Vic Mott and Larry Walker

How to take care of livestock during Wintermonths is often a conundrum for manypeople. “Do I just feed grass hay, or do I

need to feed certain types of supplements? How do Iknow which ones to buy?”

These questions, along with the science thataccompanies the choices of grains, supplements andadded minerals are topics that will be discussed at theWinter Farm Animal Care Seminar on September 29at the Old Gate Schoolhouse on Moon Road. Thepresenter, Dr. Everett Macomber, brings more than 4decades of veterinarian knowledge regarding largeanimals, including nutrition, diseases and animal carepractices.

Foot care for large animals, particularly in Northwestwinters, can be challenging.

Mike Price, with more than 45 years experience infarrier skills and horse training, will discuss foot carefor horses, cattle, goats, sheep and llamas – how the legand foot structure is different for each species andproper care that is indicated for each species.

There is no cost for the seminar, which includes aspaghetti lunch beginning at noon.

Please join us for an informative afternoon focusedon winter care for livestock.

Winter Care Seminar Slated for Sept. 29

Veterinarians Cornerby Everett Macomber, DVMMy horse just created a two inch laceration that is

gapped open one inch on his lower leg.How long will it take to Heal?Well, it depends!If the laceration is fresh, clean, not severely

contaminated with dirt and bacteria, and not severelyswollen, one should be able to suture the edges closed.This would allow for what is called “first intentionhealing”. This healing process usually takes aboutthree to four weeks under ideal conditions.

However, if the sutures do not hold and the woundbreaks open or if it is elected to notsuture the wound, healing would beby “second intention”. This involvesthe body filling in the open space withfibroblasts (connective tissue) andlastly with epithelium (skin cells)growing over the connective tissuebed.

Skin cells usually grow at the rateof 1/64 of an inchper day under idealconditions. If thespace to be filledin isapproximately one

inch, the skin will grow from both sides of thelaceration, which would be closing at 1/32 of an inchper day.

We recognize that healing by second intention isnever the most ideal circumstances, so we must add afew additional days to allow the body to compensatefor local infection and inflammation as the space isfilled in.

Because this injury is on a lower leg, one must bewatchful that the production of connective tissue doesnot become excessive, resulting in proud flesh, whichwill prevent epithelium from covering the bed ofconnective tissue with skin cells.

I would expect this to take from one to two monthsto fill in the defect and heal with skincells.

It is always important to protect thewound from infection, administersystemic antibiotics for 10 days toreduce the chance of systemic infectionand be sure the horse has had tetanusimmunization within the last year.

Note: with any deep wound orserious injury to livestock, aveterinarian should be consulted todetermine the appropriate treatment

which may include prescribingmedications.

Everett Macomber DVM

How Long to Heal that Cut?

Stockmens Coalition111010 Gate Road SW

Olympia, WA. 98512Phone: 360-470-8999

E-mail:info@stockmens-coalition.org

There are already weather indications that Fall is just around the corner, and thatSummer is drawing to a close. News from other parts of the nation show intense drought,forest fires and outbreaks of West Nile Virus among both humans and livestock.

The lesson from these occurrences should promote a more urgent sense of preparing forunknowns – both natural and man-made. While drought in other parts of the country willlikely drive feed prices higher here, there is also the likelihood that many livestock ownersare selling their herds to reduce costs. Stress caused by drought, resulting in lower qualityfeed and forage will show in decreased body weight and lowered immune system defensesto a variety of viruses and bacterial infections. West Nile Virus, while uncommon inWashington, has been identified in neighboring states. This means that we should exert

caution when transporting our livestock to other states, or in purchasing animals from other locations to increase ourown herds.

With Winter on the way, it’s also a good time to worm for bots. And it’s a good time to check livestock hoovesfor splits or chips that may cause problems over the Winter months. Similarly a check of teeth in older animals,particularly horses, is appropriate as pasture foraging is replaced by hay and processed grains during winter months;complete chewing is required for proper digestion and to maintain proper weight.

With colder nights, it’s time to check blankets for horses, as well as the general condition of loafing sheds andbarns for damage, safety, cleanliness and mud management. Additionally, we should verify operation of troughheaters and frost proof faucets to assure ample water during freezing conditions.

Spending some extra time now in preparation will reward you and your animals during the upcoming winterseason. It simply takes planning to responsibly care for animals entrusted in your care.

We believe in the just treatmentof owners and livestock.

Visit us on the web:

www.stockmens-coalition.org

and FACEBOOK

President’s Roundup

Nick Cockrell -and ISF The Magician

Calendar of EventsSeptember 26, General Membership meeting, 6:00 p.m.September 29, Winter Farm Animal Care seminar, 1:00 p.m.October 20, General Membership meeting, 1:00 p.m. – Annual meetingDecember 8, General Membership meeting, 1:00 p.m. -Holiday meetingAll meetings held at Old Gate Schoolhouse, 170th and Moon Road,Rochester