Newsdate: Mon, 15 Apr 2013 - 6:24 am
Location: ITHACA, New York

The Cornell University Department of Animal Science is pleased to announce Animal Crackers 2013 "Animal Crackers: Walk, Trot, Hop to It" on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Cornell University.  The up-coming program will incorporate both horse and rabbit topics for youth ages 9-12 or those with beginner/intermediate knowledge of the species. 

Learning horse biology and care

Cornell's Animal Crackers features educational, hands-on activities and participants will have the opportunity to learn horse or rabbit care, biology, or management.

All youth, 4-H and non-4-H, are invited to participate. Adult chaperones are also invited to attend to make Walk, Trot, and Hop to It a family event!

Interesting, educational, hands-on activities are planned to make Animal Crackers a memorable teaching event.  Participants will have the opportunity to learn horse or rabbit care, biology, or management while having fun in two different learning tracts (horse): beginners and intermediates.

There will also be sessions on exploring animal science careers, animal demonstrations, and much, much more!

Beginner and Intermediate 4-H members in the Horse project:

Horse Guts & Hoses – Interactive, hands-on demonstration about the horse digestive tract.  Come and have fun getting “all hosed up” in the equine digestive tract! 

• Know How to Open & Close Your “Gaits” – Find out what most people wished they knew: horse gaits, hoof placement, rhythm, and the way horses travel.  Here’s your chance to learn to trot!
• What is that Judge Thinking? – Have you ever been at a show and wondered what the judge was thinking?  Learn how to judge and what goes into becoming a judging pro from a fellow 4-H’er!
• Riding Horses: Cloverbuds & Beginners – Hey, we all have to start somewhere in our horse riding careers, so come to Animal Crackers to learn more about safely getting started and making horses a FUN 4-H Project!

Intermediate:

• What Bugs ‘Em? – See what “icky” things are bugging your horse, inside and out, and learn how you can prevent internal and external parasites. 
• Travel Time – Find out how to turn “Oh no, not the trailer again!” to “Yes, let’s get to the horse show!” No more worry or hassle as trailer pros teach you everything you need to know.
• Trail Tips – Learn to teach your horse “look, sniff, and go” to accept trail obstacles in all environments.
• Learn the Look – How can a horse’s looks and its build affect how you should be caring for him/her? Come learn how anatomy and physiology go hoof-n-hoof!

The program also has some really interesting and exciting demonstrations for those attending!  For horse participants, come see “Hee Hawwww…Donkeys, Mules, and Drafts”.  Learn more about how to get 4-H’ers involved with donkeys, mules, and draft horses and the exciting show opportunities that await these beloved animals! 

During our rabbit track, participants can watch, “Hop to It”, a live rabbit hopping demonstration, and learn how to get their rabbits and fellow 4-H’ers involved in this sport!

Cost of the program will be $7 for youth and adult chaperones and everyone is asked to bring their own lunch. Registration for the event will be done through your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office and must be completed no later than April 15, 2013. 

All groups must have at least one chaperone per species tract.  More information can be found on the Animal Crackers website: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/4H/crackers/index.html. Mark your calendars for one the most exciting animal science programs of 2013!

By Janet Pfromm, 4-H Educator