June 14, 2016 • Page 4 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Equitarian Initiative 2016 Costa Rica Workshop BROOKINGS, S.D. - This winter, South Dakota State University Associate Professor & SDSU Extension Equine Specialist, Rebecca Bott spent time in developing areas of Costa Rica conducting research and working to improve the health and welfare of horses and their caretakers. The work that she did was in conjunction with the Equitarian Initiative’s 2016 Workshop, which was focused on treating the working equids of Costa Rica. “In Costa Rica I was able to take what I do here as an SDSU Extension specialist and associate professor and hopefully improve the livelihood of locals who rely heavily on their horses for labor,” Bott explains. “This trip truly combined the Land Grant mission of teaching, research and extension.” Bott recently joined the Equitarian Initiative Board of Directors and is proud of the organization’s initiatives to improve the lives of working equids and the families they serve globally. Bott relies on her experiences abroad to harness problems, tropical diseases, and field surgery. The Equitarian Initiative originated at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Annual Convention in 2008 and the first Equitarian Workshop was held in Mexico in 2009. Bott, Nichols and Schlaikjer participated in the sixth Equitarian Workshop and it surely will not be their last. Throughout the duration of the workshop, they learned the critical role of horses to small rural farming and urban families. For example, the horse may be responsible for fetching water for daily activities such as cleaning, cooking, and bathing. The horse may also be responsible for fetching food for the family to eat or sell. These tasks normally involve the use of improperly fitted harnesses that leave gaping wounds on the body of the horse. Additionally, farrier work is rare in Costa Rica, making it common for the horses to have “sleigh” hooves or multiple abscesses, which may diminish their ability to perform their tasks. The average yearly income for a family in Costa Rica is $7,000, and these equids may very well be the sole source of income for some families. Taking this into consideration, there is not much spending room left for vet bills or opportunity for the horse to take a day of rest when it is sick. Experiencing the Equitarian Initiative Our days began at 6 a.m. with breakfast and transportation via a cattle truck to the workday site, which was normally the community increase globalization in her teaching and outreach efforts here in South Dakota. Bott was accompanied by two SDSU students, Jordan Nichols, a recent graduate of the SDSU English program, and Brittney Schlaikjer, a recent Animal Science graduate who will be attending veterinary school at Iowa State University this fall. The following article is a firsthand experience of Equitarian Workshop in Costa Rica by Schlaikjer. “An Equitarian, is one who serves equids (horses, donkeys, and mules) with compassion, and who’s only reward is their improved health and welfare.”Dr. Jay Merriam, co-founder of the Equitarian Initiative. On January 22, 2016, we traveled to Costa Rica to do just that. We joined with many other university students, veterinarians and veterinary techs, as part of the Equitarian Initiative 2016 Workshop in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, there is an underserved working equid population and an obvious lack of veterinarians, money, ability to travel, supplies and general knowledge of equid health. Thus, the purpose of this workshop was not only to provide veterinary care to the horses, but also to raise awareness of the critical role of working equids while improving the knowledge of Dining & Entertainment COUPON - Offer expires 6/30/16 00 OFF Family Meal Chef Porky 8 Pc. Chicken, 2 Lg. Sides, 4 Biscuits Interested in this spot? 68th l Annua MV Shopper www.missourivalleyshopper.com MV Shopper INTERESTED IN THIS SPOT? M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. In Print and Online! Call 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Czech Days Thursday – June 16: Rich Schild Memorial Fireworks Display following Bluebird baseball game with Lesterville Heritage Presentation Program - 5 p.m. Friday – June 17: Giant Parade – 1:00 p.m. Kolache baking Demonstration - 3 p.m. Beseda Dancers - 8:30 p.m. Saturday – June 18: Kolache Krawl 5K Fun Run/Walk – 7 a.m. Leonard Cimpl Baseball Park Kiddie Parade – 11:00 a.m. Czech Meals Served Friday & Satu rday ONLY Queen Madison Dangler Prince Memphis Kaul Princess Elyse Torsney ng the We rf Surf on over to www.missourivalleyshopper.com Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. 2504 Fox Run Pkwy. Yankton, SD Interested in this Saturday – June 18: spot? (Cont.) Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com REUNION www.missourivalleyshopper.com Visit our Web site at Ron’s Rock & Roll Friday, July 1 Fireworks Stand On Site Doubles Bean Bag Tournament 7 p.m. • Register 6 p.m. Karaoke Unlimited by Tammy 9 p.m. Visit our Web site2at Saturday, July www.missourivalleyshopper.com Show-n-Shine 2:00-4:30 p.m. Interested in this spot? Sign up 12 noon-2 p.m. or pre-register at Ron’s or Dakota Auto Body in Wagner Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. Burnout Contest Fun for the Whole Family! Carnival Rides, Music, Kolaches, Craft Fair, Dancing & Traditional Czech Foods, Tabor, SD Fireworks 5 p.m. • Sign up 4-5 p.m. Stand YOU NEED On Site IT TODAY? NO PROBLEM! Presents The www.missourivalleyshopper.com www.missourivalleyshopper.com Kolache Baking Demonstration - 1 p.m. Czech Days Queen CallCoronation - 9 p.m.to 665-5884 place Sunday –ad here. your June 19: Benefit Pick-up and Tractor Pull - Noon Merriam’s Midway Shows Carnival Thursday – Sunday (Wristbands Thursday and Sunday only – Advance Tickets anytime) Lewis & Clark EL RIAD TEMPLE The youth education came in the form of afternoon “breaks” when we would sit down with children from the community and educate them about proper care for their horses. To cross the language barrier, Bott, Nichols and Schlaikjer and SDSU graduate Angie (Gebhart) Varnum created coloring books, matching games and flashcards prior to the trip to use with the children. We all feel it is important to educate the younger generation so they can grow up teach their fellow peers and future children the proper way to care for a horse, thus, making a lasting impact for the community. The days were long, the sun was hot, the bugs were biting, but the reward of successfully providing urgent veterinary care to hundreds of horses made it all worth it. This was a trip we will never forget. The working equids of Costa Rica are valuable to everyday life and unfortunately there is an obvious lack of veterinary care and education. Thanks to the wonderful team of participants in the 2016 Equitarian Initiative Costa Rica Workshop, a difference was made in the lives of many four-legged creatures and their caretakers. - See more at: http:// igrow.org/news/equitarianinitiative-2016-costa-ricaworkshop/#sthash.Ls5iaHnk. dpuf niGrow b? 6 $ Su OPEN 11 AM - 10PM soccer field. Every horse that came through the workshop received a thorough physical examination, vaccination for Rabies and Tetanus/ Enchephalitis, deworming with Ivermectin and topical application of an insecticide. Along with these basic procedures, came a plethora of medical issues that warranted immediate care from the veterinarians. Malnutrition, saddle sores, endoparasites, ectoparasites, dehydration, poorly fitting tack, dermatology issues, and insect bites are just a few medical issues we treated while in Costa Rica. We provided care for broodmares with suckling foals. It is common in this area to not wean foals until they are quite old. It was easy to see the physical stress these mares were under, as many of these mares are also pregnant and working. Although the days were busy with medical emergencies and basic veterinary care, Bott made time to lead a research project and to educate children about respect and care for equids. The research involved evaluating and recording Body Condition Score and numerous measurements on the body of the working equids. Prior to evaluating the horse, the owner was asked basic questions about the horse such as the type of work they performed. These conversations would not have been possible without Nichols’ superb translating skills. Temperament and attitude scores were also evaluated and recorded for each horse. Providing Youth Equine Education FAX IT 605-665-5882 Missouri Valley 216 W. 4th St. • YANKTON,SD 605-665-5884 Shopper REAL ESTATE www.missourivalleyshopper.com RENTALS Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com AUTOMOTIVE EMPLOYMENT MERCHANDISE COUPONS 70TH ANNUAL Outside Concert • 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Interested in this spot? Limited Advance Tickets $10 Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. At The Gate $15 TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE AT RON’S SERVICE INTERESTED IN THIS SPOT? (YANKTON) • DOGGER’S (WAGNER) PHINNEY’S CRANE YOUNGWORTH FIELD YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA CALL 665-5884 TO PLACE YOUR AD HERE. Call for location nearest to you. 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