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HoofPrints Newsletter
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June 29, 2012
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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.
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I thought we were having a bad day.First, the expensive new software update that I did earlier in the week was preventing me from processing an order. It was a rush order that needed to ship that night. There was a nasty storm coming and I needed to get through to tech support before it got here - I didn't want to be on the phone/computer in the middle of lightning strikes. By the time they picked up the storm was here and I had to cut the call short withOUT getting the problem fixed. 
Second, while I was on the phone waiting for tech support, my son stomped into my office and plopped a handful of broken glass down on my desk. It was a rare dome light lens for a '50's Ford truck. His anguished statement "It sat in the truck for 60 years, perfectly safe, only for me to BREAK IT!" was enough to break any mother's heart. Then the storm hit with a vengeance. The whole yard was littered with branches and leaves that I knew would take hours to clean up.
After the storm passed, I discovered that the high wind had broken off my giant pokeweed plant that was growing beside the warehouse. I am not sure why we let it grow there in the first place, but it was an impressive sight at about 8' tall - standing proud and healthy in spite of the terrible drought we are having.  I had sent Jordan to run an errand (to take his mind off the broken lens). When he got out of the truck, the wind jerked the door out of his hand and bent it backwards. After that I was cleaning up the storm debris, and went to the front of the house to retrieve a chair cushion that had been blown there.
 On the way I stopped to check on the baby barn swallows we'd been watching grow on our porch. They were gone! All laying dead on the floor below the nest. This is a sheltered location, so I can't imagine that the wind blew them out - don't know what happened. They were just fine the day before when I took the picture.
Oh, and Lucy peed on the rug. 
I was thinking we were about the unluckiest bunch ever, then I started printing out the orders resulting from our latest newsletter here.
Many were for the now discontinued Breyer Breast Cancer Awareness Model Horse that we've got on sale. Some of the comments and gift messages made me step back and reconsider just how bad my day had been: "Sending you a reminder of the healing power of the horse. May you have a speedy recovery." "How timely....I hope there is a horse left for me...I was just diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and this horse needs to sit by my side during my battle." "You are going to win this battle!!! I love you, Mom." Suddenly broken glass, malfunctioning computers, wrecked plants, sprung truck doors, dead birds and dog pee didn't seem like such misfortune. As I imagined the stories behind the messages above, I suddenly became thankful for my own challenges - as they pale in comparison to what others are faced with.
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 More Farriers Business Cards added to online directory I belong to several online horse groups, and nearly every day someone is looking for a farrier. There are many reasons for this - and I think we are quick to assume the worst when the "I can't find a farrier..." scenario comes up. Sometimes there's a reason that owners can't get a farrier to come, (bad working conditions, slow to pay, etc) or sometimes it's the farrier (won't show up on time, is rough with the horse(s), etc.) and we tend to gravitate toward that kind of thinking. But the fact is, there are lots of reasons farriers and owners need to "shop around" until they find a good fit. And they aren't all negative. For every story I hear about a farrier that won't keep appointments, or an owner who has unruly horses, I also hear stories about wonderful relationships between owners, farriers and their horses. If you take the time to get it right, hoof care can be a whole lot less of a headache for everybody involved.Since I started listing the business cards on Facebook as well as in the directory) I am delighted that our followers frequently take the time to chime in a kind word about their farrier. So, it's in that spirit that I list below our current batch of directory additions. (The cards shown here are for illustration purposes, were randomly chosen and are in no particular order.) Click on the state to view details for each farrier listed below. California - Bill Brunson, Wade CorbettYou will notice that these folks' cards appear LARGER in the directory. We are in the process of changing over to this new larger size, so any order (or reorder) placed from now on will appear at the larger size. These free listings are good for two years and then drop off, unless renewed by reordering.
There you have it, at least for now. We will feature the next batch of cards once we get some accumulated. If you're a farrier (or other equine professional) and are interested in ordering custom business cards, we have dozens of lovely full color logos to choose from here. And don't forget to look at page 2 here. |
 Found!
Everyone remembers this inspiring picture from their childhood days, and we're pleased to offer it in both prints and greeting cards.
We do not know the artist's name on this - for sure. Some attribute the work to Albrecht Schenck, other art historians think it's likely by Walter Hunt - (entitled "Shepherd's Call"); Hunt was known for his beautiful paintings of Collies. There is an extensive, well-researched article with a lot of good pictures here.
To order our verson, click here.
Gina's note: This picture has been around for a long time, and is a perennial favorite. We've had many, many customers tell us they have fond memories of this picture hanging in their parents, and grandparents homes. It's even visible in the background of this Keith Urban country music video! Click here to watch. |
 FREE BOOKMARK WITH EVERY ORDER
We love this bookmark so much, we wanted everyone to have a copy of it! It features author Tom Moates' 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
You don't even have to ask for it - we'll include it for free in the package with every order. To get started click here. |
RECAP - From the last newsletter: Here's what we talked about last time:
Horse & Buggy Days on closeout here
Essential Principles of Horseshoeing here
Horse Sense Coaster Set here
A Dog's Journey new book here
A Farrier's Prayer framed verse here
Flawed Folks' books here
Farrier Invoices at old prices here
Things not to say to a farrier here
Cavalia DVD here
Woman Needs a Horse here
Beautiful Jim Key - true story here
PAST NEWSLETTERS - See what you missed! Catch up on the news here
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WHAT'S NEW?
Horse Coaster Set
Wood Framed Ceramic Horse Sense Coasters here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
Hold Your Horses T
See our T-shirt selection here! |
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WHAT'S NEW?
A Dog's Journey
Sequel to best-seller A Dog's Purpose here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
Spiritual Book
Desiderata for Horse Lovers makes a great gift! order here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
The Faraway Horses by Buck Brannaman
Read more about the life of best-selling DVD star here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
Farrier Book
Order Essential Principles of Horseshoeing here |
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WHAT'S NEW?
~ Christian Book ~
The Invisible Woman - When Only God Sees here |
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CHECK IT OUT!
SALE on Spring T's
BIG sale on Springy Horsey T-shirts less than $10 each here! |
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WHAT'S NEW?
~ for Horsewomen ~
Horsewoman's Long Tall List of Things to Do here
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WHAT'S NEW!
Underwater Dogs
Order your 2013 calendar here |
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Message
We LOVE hearing from our customers. You can contact HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling via email at gina@hoofprints.com |
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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 |
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Our Current Catalog
Request your copy of HoofPrints Spring Catalog by clicking here |
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Memorable quote
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by Robert M. Liner
"There is no technique, method, style, discipline or person that is more effective than another. Horses will only respond to purposeful kind souls, gentle hearts, aware minds and healthy bodies. You don't have to be able bodied, a certain gender, race or ranch raised to teach them. It's alright to ask any question until you get the answer you are searching for, but more than anything, don't be attached to outcomes, your ego or one philosophy. Sometimes when it doesn't seem to be working out or coming together the way you thought it should or ought to, ultimately, that may be the best outcome. From that you'll learn volumes, if you are willing not to give up on your horse. Avoid dumb risks, dangerous situations and unhealthy stress, but the best advice I could give you in closing is this, pleasure over excitement makes for the best ride."
Read the rest here.
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Share our emails
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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)
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