|
|
|
|
|
HoofPrints Newsletter
|
May 27, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THIS NEWSLETTERFarriers Greeting Cards was started by Gina Keesling in 1986 (in a very small way) to provide helpful promotional materials for farrier husband Rob. Along the way we became HoofPrints.com, too, adding a selection of fun horse and dog products geared toward women of a certain age. This newsletter is emailed to subscribers a few times a month, depending on how often I have something to share. Watch for special sales, interesting stories, uplifting quotes and more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THREE NEW BOOKS chronicle one man's journey into Honest Horsemanship. Read about one man's obsession to get better with horses in a gentle way. Author Tom Moates's life and work were on a horseless path until serendipity brought Niji, a sorrel gelding, into his life. Nothing has been the same since. In his candid and plain-speaking style, Moates shares the honest highs and lows that come with the territory of starting out in the Better Way with horses.
Tom seeks help from famed horsemanship clinician Harry Whitney, and he writes a great deal about these experiences in his books. The unique thing about Harry, as a clinician, is that he's not out there selling books, videos, tack and other training aids. Harry recognizes that each horse/rider team is individual and declines to market his teaching that way; instead he focuses on individualized attention at clinics, where he can tailor his teaching to the pair(s) at hand. So, the only way a person wanting to study Harry Whitney's methods can do so is to personally attend one of his clinics, or read about the experiences of someone else who has done so.
Each of these books comes with a FREE bookmark featuring Tom's photo and the inspirational phrases: "Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." -Henry Van Dyke and "What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God." -Eleanor Powell
Gina's Note: We used this image of Tom along with the quote about talents on our Free Gift Magnet a while back. Those were very popular and were depleted quickly - we have had numerous requests for a reprint on them and decided to offer this bookmark instead. Additional copies are only $1.99 each! To order click here |
 TWO NEW FARRIER BOOKS
Millwater's Farriery - Encyclopedic Reference for Professionals, Students and Horseowners Everything you always wanted to know about farriery, but were afraid to ask! This is an information-dense, well-illustrated volume which employs extensive cross-referencing to efficiently cover topics from the basics that everyone working with horses should know on up to advanced concepts in modern hoofcare. Designed for the free-form, individual study that is naturally common in farriery.
The general focus of Millwater's Farriery is practical hoofcare to maintain and restore soundness. It does not deal extensively with contest forging and shoeing, nor is it intended to provide in-depth instruction on the business-end of running a horseshoeing service. It does feature article-length entries on hoof balance, trimming technique, basic shoe forging, cold fitting keg shoes, practical horseshoe modifications, drawing and setting clips, shoe application, and managing various lameness and gait problems with applied farriery.
This book is the culmination of Millwater's lexicon project, which started eighteen years ago with The Pocket Dictionary of Farrier Terms and Technical Language, and evolved through eight editions of The New Dictionary of Farrier Terms and Technical Language. Millwater's Farriery makes the leap to an encyclopedic dictionary, with triple the content of the last New Dictionary. Includes expanded appendices, an extensive Historical Reference section, and updated resource guide. To order click here. Confessions of a Horseshoer offers a close and personal look at the mind-set of a professional farrier who also happens to be a college professor. The book, an ironic and playful view of the many unusual animals (and people) Ron Tatum has encountered over thirty-seven years, is nicely balanced between straightforward presentation, self-effacing humor, and lightly seasoned wisdom. It captures the day-to-day life of a somewhat cantankerous old guy, who has attitude and strong opinions. Throughout the book, Tatum ponders the causes that led him into the apparently opposing worlds of horseshoeing, with its mud, pain, and danger, and the bookish life of a college professor.Tatum provides a detailed description of the horseshoeing process, its history, and why horses need shoes in the first place. The reader will learn about the dangers of shoeing horses in "Injuries I Have Known," in which Tatum describes one particular self-inflicted injury that he claims no other horseshoer has ever, or will ever, experience. "Eight Week Syndrome" demonstrates the close, often therapeutic, relationship between the horseshoer and his or her customers. Tatum relates the story of an old Wyoming cowboy who could talk with horses, and consistently cure their injuries, lameness, and other physical problems after the veterinarians had given up. The humor in the chapters on chickens and rabbits will entertain any reader, as well as the sections on various dogs, ducks, llamas, goats, flies, and a sexually disoriented pig.
Readers of western life and lovers of horses will find Confessions of a Horseshoer an informative, quirky, and delightful work full of humor, attitude, and off-beat insight. To order click here (scroll down to the bottom of the page). |
 Cowgirls & The Cowgirls Cookbook A fun set of inexpensive books that are packed with fascinating info.
"If Eve had been a ranch woman, she would have never tempted Adam with an apple. She would have ordered him to make his meal himself!" The above quote by Anthony Trollope is from pg 70, which also features (appropriately) Raw Apple Cake.
The Cowgirl's Cookbook is only $12.95 and it features recipes for your home on the range. It's softcover, 98 pages and profusely illustrated throughout with black and white photos, art and drawings. You'll learn all about historical cowgirls and ranch women. Including some unexpected details about Georgia O'Keefe, Fannie Sperry Steele (World Champion Bronc Rider), Connie Reeves (oldest Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee at 101!) and more. You'll learn to make delicious Cinnamon Sugar Muffins, Cajun Meat Loaf, Kentucky Corn Pudding, and Cowgirl Fudge. And in case it's ever necessary, you'll know how to cook Rattlesnake, Rocky Mountain Oysters, and Hen's Arms. Yum.
Try this recipe: Rio Brazos Salad 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 (16 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup seeded and chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup seeded and chopped green bell pepper 4 scallions chopped (including the tops) or 1 small sweet onion 1/4 cup chopped celery 1 (4 oz) can black olives, chopped 3 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons tomato salsa 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Sour cream
In a large bowl, combine beans, corn, peppers, scallions, celery and olives. In another bowl, stir together lemon juice, salsa, and olive oil. Combine the salsa mixture and bean mixture. Add more salsa to taste. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Top salad with dollops of sour cream from The Cowgirl's Cookbook page 41 This is just the best little cookbook. Along with the expected delicious recipes, it's full of wonderful cowgirl facts, photos, trivia, anecdotes and more. Every page has a recipe, along with all this extra stuff to make it fun and interesting.
NEW is the companion book Cowgirls - Stories of Trick Riders, Sharp Shooters and Untamed Women. The fiercely independent, untamed woman of the old West-the cowgirl-seems to most people a topic more of fiction than real fact. But the West was indeed populated with strong-willed women who worked and played as men did in the saddles of their favorite bucking broncos-women whose sacrifices, hard work, and can-do attitude helped build a nation. Cowgirls celebrates this previously overlooked aspect of the Western experience by bringing together their stories, including their own thoughts about being cowgirls. There are lots of vintage images and amusing / inspiring quotes to go with the stories. Sold separately, or purchase as a set with the Cowgirls Cookbook and save almost $6.00! To order click here |
 Check this out.
It'll make you feel better...
You don't have to be all that aware of horse world news to know about the plight of America's Mustangs. As with everything the government is involved with - Mustang management is under intense scrutiny. The internet is filled with terrible stories of roundups, videos of horses hurting themselves trying to escape capture, pictures of huge numbers of horses languishing in bare pens year round, being fed hay that's paid for by our tax dollars. It's an intractable problem and everyone has strong opinions about how to solve it. Personally, I've made it a point to somewhat avoid keeping up on the issue because it seems so dismal and unsolvable. And if I read too many conspiracy theorist's posts on Facebook, I get to worrying that all those extra stockpiled horses are getting sold onto a slaughter truck, the money being pocketed by corrupt officials and the public none the wiser...
So... when this came into my inbox it was like a breath of fresh air. Ree Drummond is a modern ranch wife. She's got her own career as an author - writing best-selling cookbooks that are full of hearty country recipes - documented by mouthwatering photographs. She promotes these by blogging - a task that she's doing a stellar job at. Along the way she shares a lot about her family's life as ranchers. Part of the way they've diversified the income on their very large cattle ranch is by contracting with the BLM to care for mustangs. They have over 3400 of them. They're out in wide-open spaces like they're supposed to be. They're managed so they don't reproduce. The ranchers make sure they have enough to eat and access to fresh water (a luxury true wild horses don't always enjoy) and the government monitors the horse's conditions occasionally to make sure they're being properly managed. Whew. It's nice to see something going right for a change! Full article here. |
 RECAP - From the last newsletter
Here's what we talked about last time:
Beautiful Jim Key book a true story here
Make a Horsey Scrapbook with stuff from here
Dump Him, Marry the Horse here
New Cards added to Farrier Directory here
Cowboy 10 Commandments here
Doctor is In Horse Thermometer here
Cowgirl Note Cards here
PROTECT THIS RIDER pendant here
A Dog's Purpose book here
Play with your Dog T-shirt here
Hoof Problems Book UNDER $50! here
PAST NEWSLETTERS - See what you missed! Catch up on the news here
|
|
|
|
WHAT'S NEW?
Cowboy 10 Commandments Sign
Sturdy Embossed Tin Sign is under $10. - order here |
|
WHAT'S NEW?
Horse Breeds Playing Cards & Dice
2 Decks of Playing Cards (each card of the suit features a different breed) & 5 Dice in a felt lined collectible tin here |
|
WHAT'S NEW?
SALE on Spring T's
BIG sale on Springy Horsey T-shirts less than $10 each here! |
|
WHAT'S NEW?
FREE Spring Magnet
with every order shipped, while supplies last. Get one withOUT ordering by sending self addressed, stamped LONG envelope to:
HoofPrints Free Magnet Offer
13849 N 200 E
Alexandria, IN 46001
|
|
Father's Day Gift Idea
Crossroads Sculpture here |
|
WHAT'S ON SALE?
MORE stuff 50% OFF
Won't You Fix My Horse, Too? vintage art print $9.95 here |
|
WHAT'S NEW?
~ Horse Books ~
Horse Tales from Heaven and Heavenly Horse Sense Christian Horse titles here |
|
WHAT'S NEW?
~ Christian Products ~
Cowboy & Cowgirl Bible Pocket Partners here |
|
WHAT'S NEW?
~ for Horsewomen ~
Horsewoman's Long Tall List of Things to Do here
|
|
Message
We LOVE hearing from our customers. You can contact HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling via email at gina@hoofprints.com |
|
Find us on facebook
Be sure to LIKE our facebook page - it's where we announce special sales, breaking news and everything else we find interesting. To see it go here |
|
Our Current Catalog
Request your copy of HoofPrints Spring Catalog by clicking here |
|
|
From a Memorable Quote - Comes a NEW BOOK!
|
 We featured the quote below in a newsletter last month - because Mother's Day was upcoming. The response was tremendous - from women who needed to read those words, or knew someone else who needed to read them. We located the publisher - so we could make the book available to our customers. WARNING! The book is not one bit horsey - no mention of equine anywhere. This sweet little hardcover book has a presentation plate in the front - makes a great gift. It's illustrated throughout in sepia-toned photos, and is an inspirational read that's not too heavy/deep. To order click here.
Below is an excerpt:
The Invisible Woman: A Special Story for Mothers
"It started to happen gradually. One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, 'Who is that with you, young fella?' 'Nobody,' he shrugged. Nobody? The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we crossed the street I thought, 'Oh my goodness, nobody?' I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family - like 'Turn the TV down, please' - and nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, 'Would someone turn the TV down?' Nothing. Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I whispered, 'I'm ready to go when you are.' He just kept right on talking. That's when I started to put all the pieces together. I don't think he can see me. I don't think anyone can see me. I'm invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.' I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going... she's going... she's gone! One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.' In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.' I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.' At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree. When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.' As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women."
|
|
Share our emails
| |
Viral marketing... it sounds bad, doesn't it?
You can ask my husband - a frequent topic around here is that of forwarded emails - and the psychology behind them - just WHAT prompts people to decide; "I am going to send this to everyone I know!".
We receive a lot of them. Some are pretty good, and others are dumb. Dumb in a myriad of ways... Alarmist email rumors that have been around forever - that folks keep sending "just in case it's true" Pictures of someone's butt (or worse) - don't even get me started about the firecracker butt - but at least that one was timely when it showed up around July 4. Christian messages that are uplifting - until you get to the end and you're threatened "if you're not ashamed that you love Jesus, forward this - if you are, then delete." Pictures of cute puppies and kittens (awww)
I enjoy writing these newsletters - and sharing all this stuff with you all. But the fact is, it's also a way to help us stay connected with customers and sell products during the time between catalog mailings (which is only once a year) So I really, really like it when someone new stumbles upon the newsletter and is excited to "discover" our company and the products we offer.
In all my efforts to make the newsletter interesting and forward-worthy - it never occurred to me to JUST ASK you all to send it! Duh. Sometimes the obvious is elusive, I guess. So here goes - my request to ask you to forward our email newsletter to your horsey friends. All we ask is that you please be judicious and only send to folks who might be interested. Otherwise we are no better than the "firecracker butt". Click to get started. (please note - using this form does NOT subscribe anyone to our list - it is a one-time only forward)
|
|
|
|
|
