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June 2009 Newsletter |
 Finally, what we’ve been waiting for! Warm weather and the beginning of the trail riding season in Wisconsin. Summer is here! |
Looking Back….. Rainy Day Rides We had our share of showers in May….our early May ride at Magnolia Bluff was called off because of soggy trails. It turned out to be a decent day after all but who would have known? The Taste of Endurance went on as scheduled, but the following weekend there was more rain. We postponed the ride at Eagle by a few hours because of the morning showers. As it was, the HON turnout at the Kettle Moraine Ranch in Eagle on that rainy May 9th was unbelievable. We sure never expected so many! Thank you to the following people for coming: Sandy Rb, Sandy O, Sandy M, Sandy Rg, Kris, Louise, Lynn, Ginny, Sally, Dee, Ronda S, Alison, Bridgit, Kim, Natalie, Donna, Sue N., Deb W, Amy, Sharon, and Pauline. How amazing to have 21 people show up on such a wet day! Then Audrey and Melanie and Theresa and some FARCs rode up on their way to Eagle....how cool! Unfortunately, our plan to explore the private trails at KMR was another surprise….we will definitely need a guide the next time! At any rate, it was nice to welcome new members Deb W., Sharon, Natalie (pictured left to right) and Kim (no picture…yet!). Check out more photos from the ride on our website! |
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“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass….it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” |
| Camping Season Starter at Ukarydee May 15-17th.... The first camping trip of the year was held at Ukarydee in central WI near the Castle Rock Trails and boy, did we have a good time!! Deb W. was so intent on coming that she spent the day before the trip cashing in aluminum cans to pay for gas to get there. One hundred and eighty two pounds of crushed cans….that gives new meaning to the saying “where there is a will, there is a way!” Deb was joined by virgin horse camper DeDe and you can bet they were chilly waking up after a night in that tent. Ice in the horses’ water buckets even! Everyone agreed that it was all great fun, though. Even the brisk winds on Saturday didn’t stop us for having a great time riding the beautiful trails. Camping at Ukarydee were Ginny and Sally, Diane and Floyd, Kathy (it’s about time you made it official!) and Clint, Cindy, Sandy Rg, Sandy Rg, Ann and Rob, Jan, Lynn, Wendy, DeDe, Deb W., Linda and Dan, Ronda S. Shirley H and family were also camping at Ukarydee that weekend. All agreed…it was a great time! More pictures available. |
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| Deer Run May 31..... The end of the month of May was a glorious day, sunny and in the mid 70’s. It was perfect riding weather for the 16 of us that met in Illinois at Deer Run Park for a day ride. Thanks to our hostess, Joanne, we were able to find our way around some wonderful trails….grassy meadows, woods, and WATER! We loved it. Tammy joined us for the first time with her horse that had never been in water before! He was great…even on the part of the trail that was the river itself! Barb even did a little trick riding!! Thanks to those of you that attended: Joanne, Pauline, Barb, Kim, Dee, Ronda, Deb, Maggie, Larry, MaryAnn, Diane F, Terry, Tammy, Sherri and me! I don’t know about everyone else, but I sure will go back to Deer Run again! More pictures available. |
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Gibbs Lake Moonlight Ride..... A rainy forecast kept quite a few HONs away from a favorite event, the moonlight ride. There were a few die hards that showed up on June 6th and 7th at Gibbs Lake. Diane and Floyd, Cindy, Ginny and Sally all camped. Ronda S. and her husband, Jeff, came for supper, along with the great cheesecake that he makes. Also, Rhonda C joined the group for food and talk. They did not see the moon and did not ride Saturday night, but they did have a great ride on Sunday after breakfast. All in all, it was a great time for those that were there. |
July 4th Parade in Whitewater.....  Join us this year for our 5th annual participation in the Whitewater 4th of July Parade. The parade will be Saturday, July 4th with step off at 10:00am. This year's theme: THANK A VIET NAM VETERAN. We will be deciding on costumes and decorations that correspond to the theme of the parade. This year we are asking if you have a Viet Nam Veteran in your family, please invite them to join our group as we salute these men and women. We need riders and volunteers! If you would like to assist with decorating, walking, pooper scooping (which allows us to be toward the front of the parade and not the end), we want to hear from you! We are also looking for a team and wagon/cart to provide transportation for the veterans joining us. We are having an informational meeting on Thursday, June 4th at 6:00 pm at the Owl's Club between Fort Atkinson and Milton. If you are unable to make the meeting, or are planning on riding or volunteering, please contact via email Sandy O. or 920-723-9425. More pictures from past Parade available. |
Pink Ribbon Roundup.....  As you can see, several of our members have been busy gathering donations for the silent auction/raffle. THANK YOU!! There is a wonderful variety….but we could still use more, especially a couple more big items to be used for the raffle tickets. Remember, you can download sample letters from our link on the website. • Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Models (toy) on Horse Back • Brand New, still in box hitch lock for bumper pull hitch (fits in as ball on trailer to prevent hitching) • ***Quilt - we're going to include this as one of the raffle ticket items to increase our $$$. • A flame less candle w/horses and sent bars -retail value $50 • Two Sister Gourmet BBQ Basket - retail value $50 • Basket of Health and Beauty Products - Arbonne, Int. • Hand Made Jewelry Penny J • Zipper Stone Art - made by DeDe’s mother • Tray w/Stained Glass Horse on it • Clinton Anderson Video • Jewelry DeDe • Genuine Lariat Wreath - made by Betsy • Hand Made Afghan - Ann • Horse Shoe Coat Hanger • Sayre farm will donate 25 small squares of hay, cutting of your choice, and 25 small squares of wheat straw, both delivered free of charge...within a 25 mile radius • Dressage Riding lesson from Tracey Dikkers of Dundee Training Stable $60 value. • Akey Mkg - Received $200.00 • R & D Laser - Received $75.00 • McClaren Machine - Received $200.00 • Received 4 oil changes Gordy Boucher • Clinician Chris Cox - Received Training CD - Part's 1 & 2, includes 12 cd's, $269 value • Farrier Joe Greeter from Burlington, donated 3 gift certificates for trim all around, and front shoe. • Riverhouse Bed and Breakfast - Received $200 certificate towards stay at Riverhouse Bed and Breakfast, Rockford, Il. www.riverhouse.ws • The Last Lap - as of 4/15(still collecting more) over $300 in donations plus items for Silent Auction • Ace Hardware – Milton $10 • 4 Joe Roberts and Country Classics CDs • 2 Tickets to Six Flags • JF Nolan and Associates $100 • Bergman and Hohm Dental Group $50 • Correcting Problems on the Trail Parts DVD Clinton Anderson • Book: Training on the Trail by Clinton Anderson • Book: Dancing with Horses-Communicating by Body Language • Monty Roberts Book: The Horses in My Life • Pink Cap: Join Up • Join Up Feed Bag • Shy Boy video VHS • 2 Parelli DVDs Another way that you can help is to continue to spread the word about our Ride for the Cure. A big thank you to Amy and Sue for their PR push at Palmyra over Memorial Day weekend. We have a couple more big weekends to bring out the pink lemonade and pink flyers, but until then, please keep up the word of mouth advertising. Remember, you can download little postcard size advertisements that are economical and easy to distribute. |
| Other News..... Horses Helping People.....  by Karen M, our HON from Genesee .(When I learned of Karen’s business, I asked her to share more about it with us all. If you know of something that our members are doing that deserves recognition or is worth sharing, please feel free to contribute a similar article.) |
 Horse people already know that horses are incredibly intuitive and will challenge incongruities in what people express versus what's REALLY going on! That's what the horses are doing at Transitions Equine, a healing, growth and learning facility in Genesee, WI. We've seen Cal, the Appendix Quarter single out and "pick on" a client who claimed to be angry and then become sweet and nurturing to the same client once that person admitted feeling deep hurt in a relationship . . . We've seen the oftentimes high strung Thoroughbred Dylan be incredibly careful and gentle moving around a woman with emotional trauma and physical limitations. And Jim Bob aka "The Bulldozer" Belgian/Appy cross worked with a blind client so patiently and carefully you'd think he'd been trained to do so. No riding is involved. This is experiential psychotherapy and team building--all ground work with the horses, mostly while they're at liberty. As long as a horse is healthy and of good disposition it is suited to this type of work. A little challenge in the horse's demeanor is often preferred to make communication more apparent and interesting to clients (see video vignettes at www.transitionsequine.net). Transitions' focus is founded in the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) model and has grown over the last three years to incorporate principles from Linda Kohanov's "Epona" program in Tuscon, AZ. and Wyatt Webb's work related in the book "It's Not About the Horse". Transitions staff offer the self healing principles of Eye Movement Desensitization Response (EMDR), Holographic Memory Resolution (HMR) and Reiki during the process following client's interactions with horses in therapy to effectively move them past trauma response where they may be faltering or immobilized. Anyone interested in learning more or a visit to Transitions is invited to contact Karen Mahan. And consider attending the Transitions' hosted riding clinic in August "Reading and Riding Your Horse with Safety and Confidence" featuring Joe Fernandez. This multi-discipline horse trainer is based in New Mexico and has mastered helping and overcoming riders' horse-related problems which can affect confidence and safety on the ground or in the saddle. Mini-presentations throughout the weekend will include equine therapy demonstrations, animal communication, veterinary talks about reading your horse medically, and natural horsemanship under saddle. |
The View From the Dirt.....  The second in a series of mental meanderings by Sue N. This month I felt the need to share the following with you, as it is an important facet of health care for your gelding. The Sheath Cleaning Song ...as seen on Pasofinos.com; submitted by Barbara C. ...to the tune of "Hello mother, Hello Father" How's it hangin'? So much cleaner! Aren't you glad I washed your wiener" I'll admit it's kinda creepy That I had to stick my arm up in your pee-pee. It was sticky, It was gunky. It felt icky, It smelled funky. It was cruddy, It was crusty... When you stuck it out, it creaked like it was rusty. After half an hour of toilin' And of squirtin' baby oil in, You're as fresh there As a daisy. Either this means that I love you or I'm crazy! |
Money For Our Club!.....  Just a reminder for new members (and forgetful old members!) that our club can earn money every time you order from Country Supply. Actually, the name has been changed and it is now called Horse.com but it is the same merchandise and the same money earning power. Just look for this logo when you order and enter the code “hagsonnags” and our club will earn 5% of your total. A check is mailed to us when we reach $50 and we are at $32.33 right now. We have already received one other $50 check, so it does work. |
| Drill Team Reality Show!..... Follow three new riders as they go through the ranks of learning to become a CANADIAN COWGIRL. The series will begin later this summer on Speaking of Horses TV Show, Dish network channel 9411. Watch for this one and the Canadian Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team! |
Check Out This Website!.....  Have you had a chance to visit this website? Check out Hitch Up Magazine. It is a new, absolutely free online magazine with great articles and featuring top clinicians such as Clinton Anderson and John Lyons. I think you’ll like it! Subscribe by going to MyHorse.com . |
Welcome New Members.....  A big welcome to new members this month! Kathy E. has finally joined the ranks of the HONS. Kathy may look familiar to many of you since she has ridden with us on a few occasions. Kathy and her husband, Clint, live on Kennedy Rd in Milton and enjoy trail riding with their Appaloosas. Welcome, Kathy! It’s about time! Cathy N. joins us from Rushford, MN. Cathy has an appaloosa/Arabian/QH mare and 2 miniatures. Cathy is a nurse and enjoys riding the MN trails with Deb L. Cathy says that for her, riding is great therapy for the stresses of daily routines. She loves to meet people and listen to the stories they tell. Welcome, Cathy! Another new member is Sharon S. You might remember Sharon from the KMR ride…she was on the big black Friesian cross. Sharon is a photographer and has been a graphics designed and is involved with the printing/publishing business for over 25 years. She’s good with computers and loves to cook, read and garden. Also welcome Gail B. from McHenry, IL. Gail is a former Sentinel editor and rodeo photographer who now works as a high school counselor. She is looking forward to making some new friends who also enjoy trail riding. Welcome, ladies! These new memberships take us up to a whopping 108 members. Remember, you can access the names, addresses, phone numbers and emails through our website. Email me for the login and password….or I can email you a complete listing. PLEASE, let’s get those bios done! Betsy runningonhorsepower@yahoo.com will help with the write up, so all you need is a photo and time for a little interview. Very painless, really. |
News From Our Members..... |
 ***** Marian B has a new little foal. Her Arabian mare had a little filly in early May. This little girl is as sweet as can be and will go by the barn name of “Bella”. Congratulations, Marian! |
| ****** Sherri T has a new little granddaughter! Born on June 3rd, this little darling is the third grandchild for Sherri now! Congratulations! ***** Betsy wrote to say that she recently had her second partial knee replacement in 4 days! Hopefully she will be up and running soon. |
 ***** Deb S recently lost her 16 year old Black Lab, a long time companion and friend. To fill the void, Maggie May was recently adopted. She’s a real doll and has brought much joy to her new owner. |
| ***** Congratulations to Joan, Sandy M, Diane C on their new horses! |
June Birthdays....  June 1 Kathy JulsethJune 12 Alison B June 17 Mary Ann B June 18 Michelle E June 22 Barb L June 23 Michelle B June 25 Deb S June 26 Linda P June 29 Dwana W Remember, birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live!!! Happy Birthday to you all! |
Babs, our beloved NOB (North of the Border) HON, has been busy with work and play! She promises to send us an account of her latest adventures….her first big parade, complete with the costume she created. Watch for that next month! 