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HoofPrints Newsletter
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May 17, 2013
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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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Never underestimate how meaningful a sympathy card can be.
Last week, I posted the above card on HoofPrints Facebook page. Shortly a comment appeared from one of my husband's former horseshoeing clients: 
This is the card you sent me when I lost by beloved RifRaf. The pic of the horse on the card looks so much like him. It is hanging still on the front of my refrig. It really meant a lot to me when you sent it. Seeing it here still brings tears. I still miss him so much. No matter if human or animal, when they pass, the love never ends, we just learn to deal with the loss in our heart. Rif still comes to visit now and then. I know when I find a white feather or a few white hairs in the barn."
 HHA Rifraf was an Arabian Gelding who did look a lot like the horse in the picture. He was 34 when he died in 2011. He lived a long and happy life with Betty, who loved him dearly. Shown at left is the very first version of the new Special Edition Great Horses Framed Verse. I had several feet of this lovely (and discontinued) embossed horse frame that I'd been saving for a special occasion. It's available, customized with the wording of your choice, while supplies last. I make these here in house, and had taken them off the website for a while as I was having trouble keeping up with the assembly along with my other tasks. The original idea for the framed verse was borne out of a real tragedy. I had a customer call, wanting one of our Great Horses sympathy cards as a framed piece. Her horse, along with several others, had perished in a terrible barn fire. Her grief was obviously still overwhelming at the time of her call; she wept as she told the heartbreaking story. I didn't offer that particular design framed, and it required special matting to fit the frame that she was wanting. I figured out a way to incorporate the ghosted horse image from the back of the card into the picture, and print 3 lines of custom information in the resulting space. The product of these efforts is a stunning tribute to any horse - a lovely, relevant verse combined with an ethereal photograph of an obviously old horse bathed in heavenly light, set off with personal information of the beloved deceased. Click here to order the custom framed verse. We also have a full selection of equine sympathy cards here.
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Vests are the best.
They give you so much more freedom about the arms than a regular jacket.
Paired with the sweatshirt of your choice, you've got more options for climate control, too. If you start to overheat (as often is the case with me) you can take off the vest without getting chilled until you cool down. With the wacky weather we've been having these days the
Driftwood Quilted Vest is my favorite go-to. It's a lighter weight, and unlined, so is perfect for spring days that can't decide if they are going to be warm or cold. It's smooth finish will repel (somewhat) shedding horsehair, and the roomy pockets will hold a lot of stuff - treats, grooming supplies, etc. If you looked at this one before and were not impressed, do take a minute to give it a second look. My initial photographs of the garment were terribly unflattering. I've since rephotographed it, and added some additional views so you can better see how lovely it is. I also added a size chart to help you choose the correct fit. To sweeten the deal, I've marked it down to just $29.95 - which is almost 60% off the manufacturers suggested retail of $71.50. To order, click here.
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Are you POSITIVE? What would your horse(s) and dog(s) say?
Read how I solved real problems using positive methods:
If you've never tried positive reinforcement training, DON'T do what I did. I viewed it as a curious novelty - but never gave it much consideration. After all - I had kept horses and dogs my whole life - and pretty much had everybody doing what I asked. Without carrying around treats and risking being bitten. (I came from the crowd that thought that hand feeding created biters.)
It wasn't until Allie came along (and I was desparate for something that could help us get along) that I revisited the idea again. My first attempts have been awkward and full of mistakes - but nonetheless - what an amazing breakthrough! The proverbial "light bulb" came on - for both of us. Her distant attitude toward me warmed - and my appreciation for her tries grew. I won't go into method specifics here - there are lots of great references online here. I personally don't use a clicker - but instead substitute a word; "good". The idea is to create a marker that tells the animal when he or she is doing correctly - and that a tasty food reward is forthcoming for a job well done. For the record, I have not been bitten, either. They get pretty excited sometimes - but there are ways to teach them politeness that are effective and still maintain enthusiasm. Plenty of info online about that under mugging for treats. Shown above is our Genuine Leather TREAT POUCH. I have been using the same one for years and it's held up great. The closure is magnetic - so it stays shut AND there is no distracting velcro sound when it's opened. The extra zippered compartment keeps your phone, keys, whatever, separate from the treats. Order here.
 Shown here is Karen Pryor's Clicker Training Kit for Horses. For less than $20. it includes all you need to get the learning started (for both you and your horse) about positive reinforcement training. The kit includes: Getting Started: 40 page clicker training Book, A clicker, An instruction booklet on how to use the clicker, A small sample of horse treats. This is a very basic intro that guides you, step-by-step, through the process. Order here. And it's not all about doing silly tricks that don't have much purpose. I've used this method with my own to solve a couple problems that were previously unsolvable using all of my lifelong horse owning experiences. (which, as I get further into this journey I am learning don't really make up much...)
My particular horsekeeping situation involves moving the horses from their stalls through the barn aisle and out a door to the pasture. Most days they are only in at night if it is bad weather, and they are eager to dash off to graze as soon as allowed. I don't usually put a halter on anybody - they know the way to the door and it's not likely they'll attempt to go any other direction. However, the charging out of the stalls is troublesome and dangerous. Jack, the Hackney pony, was OK to come out of his stall quietly, but once he got past me a bit he would "launch", and be at a gallop in the three strides it took to get to the door. NOT safe, as he is not above throwing in a kick/buck along the way. For years I threatened him to make him slow down. He knew better than to act like that, but if I didn't have a halter on him, he knew I had no control and behaved accordingly. I could put a halter on and force the issue - leading him bug-eyed and prancing to the door, only to repeat the scenario once the halter came off - and often getting a shower of mud in the process as he dashed off. We've had this pony for many years, and the problem never got any better. A great deal of which I owe to the fact that first thing in the morning is not my best hour for outwitting a pony.
As much as this behavior made me want to kick his bratty little butt, I decided one day to try an approach using treats. He got a treat in the stall doorway for waiting quietly, another one after taking a few steps at a walk, another after a few more quiet steps... and finally a handful at the barn door where he usually took off. At that point, I was the one that ended the interaction - leaving him standing there hoping for another treat - instead of showing his butt and throwing mud at me as he dashed off. Within a few days the problem was solved. I was able to phase out the frequency of treats to one at the end for good behavior, then finally substitute just a pat and a word of praise and sometimes a treat. The positive training books teach us that once a behavior is learned, and OCCASIONAL reward is more powerful in maintaining it than getting a reward every single time. Sort of like playing the lottery...
My other horse, Allie, wanted to leave her stall as if it were a starting gate. As soon as the door came open she was ready to dash through. Which was really bad if she tried before it was all the way open and couldn't fit. It was easy enough to "get big" (as some of the trainers teach) so she'd back off and wait for the OK, but then it seemed I was just replacing my body for the door - and as soon as she was given the OK I got the same rush through. Unlike Jack, after that her walk out was sensible.
To solve this one, I used treats to teach her that leaving the stall was only allowed after she put her nose on the opposite side of the door frame, and kept it there until given the OK. This put the ball in her court - the door was open, but she wasn't to go through until she used self control and completed the required task. Sometimes we'd repeat the "wait" command more than once, just so doing that and getting a treat was more interesting than going out. In time, getting to go out BECAME the treat and I didn't need them any more.
Both of these problems were solved so easily once I changed my way of thinking about how to manage them. Instead of correcting the wrong behavior, I stopped focusing on that and instead put my attention on rewarding the right behavior. It really was almost like magic.
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SPRING CLEANING
continues at HoofPrints
My efforts to clear the warehouse (and my house- house) of accumulated oddball products continues to gain momentum. I've written about it before. The point continues to be, sometimes the space becomes more valuable than the items that are occupying it. So this is where most places say... "our loss is your gain!" Well, check out this super-cheap stuff and BUY IT. And your gain will be my gain, too. Because I need that space on the shelf.
The Half Price Page is here - check this often as they're one-of-a-kind things that will sell quickly and be replaced with whatever else starts to get on my nerves. I am currently going through a large stash of sample books - so many wonderful titles, it's hard to choose just a handful for the catalog. And the rest have got to go! Only one of each available so act fast if you see something you like.
Our Closeouts Page is here - it features items that are being phased out - still lots of good deals to be had there, too.
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A few 2013 Horse Savvy Day Planners left at HALF PRICE!
This is the best calendar and horse record keeping system I've seen. It's a nice, compact size (5 3/8" x 8" - spiral bound) packed full of ideas for keeping tabs on your horses' lives.
It's printed on high quality, heavy paper for continuous, daily use. And it's not all utilitarian - each week has a different picture on the left hand page; truly a celebration of the horse, every shape, size and color in every discipline imaginable. This calender will give you daily appreciation for the variety of equines and their jobs while it helps you keep track of your appointments. At the bottom of the opposing page is an inspirational quote, bit of wisdom, motivation, or training tip!
This year, the folks at Horse Savvy have added these nifty little STICKERS so you can place a colorful visual reminder on important dates. And they're bound right into the planner, so they can't fall out and get lost - they stay right at your fingertips at the very beginning so no fumbling for a sticker when you need one. Regular price is $29.95. I've marked it down to $14.98 - and there are still almost 8 months left to use! - to order click here
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Here's what we talked about last time:
When I Am An Old Horsewoman hereCowgirls Book Series hereHappy Mother's Day to my Mom hereGrandma the copy writer + St Bernards hereFarrier Edition Newsletter hereCrazy Dog Stories & Dog Scrapbooks hereI'm Listening With A Broken Ear hereDon't Dump The Dog hereBad Dog - A Love Story hereNew Home Page just for FARRIERS here
PAST NEWSLETTERS - See what you missed! Catch up on the news here
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BOOKMARKS
~ 50% OFF! ~
A Rider's Prayer, A Dog Lover's Prayer & Use Your Talents Bookmarks just 99� here
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LONG TALL LIST
~ for Horsewomen ~
Horsewoman's Long Tall List of Things to Do here
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COFFEE & DOG HAIR
I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM16 oz Ceramic Travel Mug with leakproof lid only $16.95 here |
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WHAT'S HALF PRICE?
I'm Still Hot!
It' Just Comes In Flashes Now Bracelet here |
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BELOW HALF PRICE!
"Hug" clay plaqueRegular price $14.50 now only $4.99 here |
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A CRAPPY CLOCK
Time To Go To The Barn Clock here |
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How to Handle Stress
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TURD SIGN
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SAME SH*T
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HALF PRICE!
Underwater DogsCalendar on sale here |
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PROTECT THIS DOG
Pewter Medallions for DogsSize Large and Small here |
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We have it! The old classic print FOUND
12x16 Print available here
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WHAT'S NEW?
SALE on Spring T's
3 Springy Horsey T-shirts less than $14 each here! |
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Collectable Horse Whispers Sculptures
Wish Upon A Horse, and more here |
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IT'S BACK!
Courage Mug
The manufacturer sold out of this mug this fall, and many of you were disappointed when you tried to order. We've since found a replacement that is even better. To order click 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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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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