I want a re-do! It just doesn’t seem like we had enough real summer. Most of it was unseasonably cool (good for riding but not much else) and we sure seemed to have more than our share of rain. Or maybe it was just every time we planned something, it rained? At any rate, it seems that now fall is in the air, and I am left wondering where the summer went.

Looking Back......
The Happy Barn Aug 4-6
Unfortunate for us, the weather didn't cooperate! In between the rain showers we did get some good riding in though. A beautiful area in the hills of southern Wisconsin, we pretty much covered many of the 25 miles of trails that Happy Barn offered. We rode through river and creek crossings and really loved the Happy Barn tunnel on horseback. (Well, some of us loved it!) Happy Barn quickly became one of the HONs new favorite places to go. Our hosts, Nettie (the manager), and Richard Taylor (owner), made us very welcomed and shared all the facilities with us.
Those that joined us on the ride were Amy J, Ann & Rob P, Cindy A, Deb W, Dee S, Donna M & her son Jerry, Kathy & Clint E, Linda & Dan P, Natalie Z, Ronda S, Sandy Rob, Sandy Rog. & Sue N. Ginny & Sally stopped by to chat but didn't ride. Deana Z came in for a day ride on Friday and joined us for a pot luck Saturday evening with her husband, Dick, her dog, Never, and Baxter, her rescued raccoon. You can view Baxter's photographs along with the ride photographs on our website. Happy Barn is a wonderful place and we did have a wonderful time there. We all really seemed to enjoy our first adventure there and we look forward to going back in the future.

Advice from a HON Horse Camping Virgin……
This was Natalie’s first time horse camping
and her thoughts might help some other
“newbies” take the plunge. Afterall,
Natalie survived!

Wildcat Mountain.....
Aug 21-23 What a weekend! It started early for Sherri, Sandy Rg, Linda, Dee, and Carol who met on Thursday near La Farge and did a short ride at the Kickapoo Reserve. Then the rain came in. We were met at the Wildcat campground by Diane and Floyd and Sandy R. It rained gently most of the night, but we were tired and slept good. The sky cleared on Friday and more HONS arrived. Kris E and Sandy O came, as did Deana Z. and Ronda S., Amy J., Lynn P. and Louise H., Sue N, Ann P., Cindy A., Kathy E. and Clint and Deb W. We got some riding in on Friday afternoon and then went to the Rockton Bar for a fish fry that evening. After that, there was a lot of laughing around the campfire….just ask anyone there about the “Green Room!” On Saturday morning, we had a big, yummy breakfast and then the excitement started! It was still a little wet, but the sun was warm so Dee and Deanna, Sherri and I decided to canoe the Kickapoo River. Deanna negotiated a discount for us from Mr. Duck (wearing her army shirt and boots!) and we spent the next 4-5 hours on the river. I don’t think I ever laughed so much!! What a blast!!! (Deanna is writing a story about our adventure on the Kickapoo, so watch for that to come) Meanwhile, they weren’t laughing back at camp. Out on the trail for only a little bit, Lynn’s horse slipped and down they went! Lynn was hurt and an ambulance took her to the Hillsboro Hospital. It turned out that she needed stitches in her thumb, bruised her knee pretty badly and cracked her pelvis. Fortunately, though, she didn’t have to stay in the hospital and was able to join us at the campfire that night. It was awesome the way everyone helped out….true HON spirit. Most of us got in another ride on Sunday…I understand that some HONs even stayed an extra day. We sure had a great time! Thanks to everyone who shared the Wildcat experience! More pictures.

Pink Ribbon Meeting.....
PLEASE join us on Wednesday, September 9th at the Ground Round on Milton Avenue in Janesville. We’ll meet for socializing from 5-6 pm and then take care of important business from 6-7 pm. Our big fundraising event is only a month away and there are lots of details to work out. For one thing, there is great news about T shirts that you won’t want to miss. Raffle tickets will be distributed. Remember, there is no Pink Ribbon committee….we all need to be involved. Even if you haven’t come to other meetings, we’d sure love to see you at this one! If you have any questions or comments, please contact Donna. RSVP appreciated. Also Please view Articles about this Event. Sentinel. Wishorse.com.

Hagmania Sunday......
September 13th Don’t miss this event!!! Come as a helper, a spectator, as a photographer, or best yet, as a participant….but we really want you all to experience the fun of Hagmania. We’ll start the games at 10 a.m. and there will be door prizes, ribbons and trophies and plenty of laughs. Again this year there will be concessions by the Lima 4H group. Go to our website for photos from previous fun shows and download the flyer with all the details. Contact Jessica W with questions or to volunteer. I really hope to see you all there!

Endless Valley......
October 17th and 18th Once again we have a HON Retreat planned for Saturday, October 17th at the lovely lodge at Endless Valley in Spring Green, WI. Space is limited (beds for HONs as well as stalls for horses) so watch for more information via email or contact Sherri T. for details. We’ve always had a great time here! "A bit of Kentucky in Southwest Wisconsin!" 5975 County Road T Spring Green WI 53588 (608)753-2887 Email

You “Herd” it Here First......
I’m thrilled to announce that we had a donation from the law firm where Suzanne’s husband works that will cover the entire cost of T shirts for our Pink Ribbon Ride for the Cure. Shirley has been busy getting shirts printed in several colors and several sizes, all with the wonderful logo that Jessie designed. While the details need to be finalized, it looks like FREE T shirts will be distributed to everyone that pre-registers for our Ride for the Cure by September 28. The forms are available on our website….just make sure you make a note about the size and color you will want. You’ll want to check out samples at Hagmania and get your ride registration in early. You will also be able to purchase the shirts the day of the event.

Raffle.....
Raffle tickets will be available soon for you to start selling. Just thought you might like a sneak preview of the prizes. There are several to choose from……
• Set of DVDs from Chris Cox Horsemanship Instructional Program Parts 1 and 2 with 12 DVDs. (Valued at $269.99)
• $200.00 certificate at River House Bed and Breakfast: Machesney Park, IL 61115 www.riverhouse.ws/
• Beautiful, custom made sign for your farm or home by Ken Buggs Signworks $200 certificate
• Beautiful king size hand made quilt w/horse theme Drawing on Sunday, October 4 2009 Kettle Moraine Ranch/ Eagle, WI All proceeds benefit the WI Breast Cancer Coalition Ticket cost: $2 each or 5 for $10.

Equine Care .....
I recently got notice that the Hags on Nags are invited to participate in some great fall deals offered through the Janesville Equine Hospital and Clinic. There is a Equine Fall Health Package offered at the clinic (drive-in only) on Saturday, September 19th from 1-3pm. Your horse would receive a physical exam (including dental and body score), a Flu –Rhino vaccination, and a tube of Equimax Dewormer for a total cost of $53…to be paid on date of clinic. See flyer. The same clinic is also offering Equine Fall Dental Days. If you schedule a dental for your horse in the months of September, October or November 2009 you would receive 15% off the farm call and dental services. No farm call would be charged when there is a minimum of 10 horses. This is also to be paid the day of service. See flyer for details.

Cookbook Contest.....
Our cookbook “chairmare”, Marise, may be enjoying her new home in Mexico, but she’s still thinking of us! At her urging, I recently submitted a copy of our cookbook to the Morris Printing Company to be judged in their Community Cookbook Contest. Top prize is $5,000, second prize is $2,000 and third prize is $1,000. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we won something? The first printing of 200 cookbooks sold out quickly. I still have some from our second order. They make great gifts….contact me if you are interested in purchasing cookbooks. They will also be available at Hagmania on September 13th and our Pink Ribbon Ride for the Cure on October 4th.

Check It Out! Website.....
If you have favorite websites or have recently
discovered a new one, please share!
I’d like to keep this as a regular feature but need your help!
How about starting up a Trail/Riding Review with notes page?? Offer a link or info page and post your opinions or hints about that location for others to expore or learn about.

Welcome New Members.....
We have two new members this month! Last month a retired opera singer joined our ranks…this month we have a professional clown!! Darla S. lives in Harvard, IL and enjoys “clowning around!” She sells what she calls "human clothes" with clown embroidery on them to clowns at various conventions, clinics, etc. and does face painting, balloon sculpting, magic, story telling, puppetry, tattoos, and just crowd mingling. Darla is also an RN who has owned and ridden horses for some 25 years and owns a Morgan. She is looking forward to meeting other wild and crazy women riders….guess she found the right group! Welcome, Darla! Our other new member is Carol M.. Carol lives in Watertown, WI and owns 3 horses; a Gypsy Cob, a Paint, and a Welch/Appaloosa. I’m hoping that Carol likes horse camping, too, because she plays the guitar and sings. I think she would be a great addition to our campfire craziness! Carol’s Gypsy Cob is trick trained…something I’d sure like to learn more about. Welcome Carol!!

News From Our Members.....
***** From Wendy L…Babe is my new rescue. She is a 20ish Arab and very sweet. Her owners passed away and the neighbor was caring for the animals and finally called for a rescue. Here I am with an older horse that needs weight badly. (So am looking for good hay for a cheaper price for her. I have done all the normal things to have her gain weight so wish Babe and me luck.) I have ridden Babe but am just taking it easy with her for now. She is a learning experience since I've never had an Arab.
She loves Missy and the other horses and is only boss over Noel.

Which brings me to my other new horse. She is actually my daughter Kim’s horse but Kim hasn't seen her since she was a baby (she’s going on two) Kim just got orders to go to Alaska and she can't afford to take a horse, let alone two.
So I will have 5 horses come fall! Plenty to ride if I can find the time!

***** from Pauline….wonderful thoughts about why we ride. Read “I Ride” here and watch for it on our website soon. Thanks, Pauline!

September Birthdays.....
Mary Lou S. Sept 3
Jan M. Sept 4
Sandy O. Sept 5
Chris L. Sept 11
Betsy L. Sept 14
Ginny C. Sept 16
Shirley M. Sept 21
Remember, birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live!!! Happy Birthday to you all!