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HoofPrints Newsletter
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February 24, 2014
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YOU ASKED FOR IT ...finally - a COUPON CODE for you to use!
All year we field calls and emails from customers asking how they can get a COUPON CODE that is requested online for special discounts/sales. The truth is, I don't do that very often. I pretty much need to sell items for full price in order to maintain the business. Click here to download a short, but very enlightening article about how consumer-driven discounting ultimately has become a vicious cycle that's undermined the stability of our economy, and has cost more than anyone could have ever imagined. Then, before you order, view this coupon code NOT AS A DISCOUNT, but as a GIFT OF APPRECIATION from HoofPrints to you. With that said, in celebration of the successful completion of yet another year - I am offering this gift to all of you who've supported us along the way. Click here to get started.
Remember, you need to enter the coupon code TY20
in the special box at checkout time in order to get the discount. The coupon code also works on our CLOSEOUT ITEMS, HALF PRICE ITEMS, HALF PRICE PRINTS, HALF PRICE JEWELRY and HALF PRICE BOOKS / MAGAZINE BACK ISSUES - so you get even more savings on those already marked-down products! The fine print: Offer ends 2/28/14, and canNOT be used on previously placed orders.Shown here is our Framed Mule Print titled Stop for a Fix. This lovely picture by Larry Schultz depicts a farrier and mule who are NOT at odds - each a servant carrying a "load". We've paired it with the phrase "You can tell a lot about a man by whether he asks for a light load or a strong back." , double matted it, and framed it with horseshoe (mule shoe) frame stock. You can also add your own custom wording at no extra charge. Click here for details. |
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WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO USE THE DISCOUNT?
Thermal Sherpa Lined Hood gets rave reviews
We are so excited about these details that I didn't picture here the embroidered horse logo that's on the left chest, but instead a closeup of the wonderful textures that this jacket has.
This heavy hooded sweatshirt could double for a coat on all but the coldest days. The outer shell is constructed of thermal fabric, and it's lined with plush sherpa throughout. The seams are fashioned so that a bit of sherpa peeks through, for a casual, two-tone effect. It's cotton/poly blend so no shrinking, and it washes and dries beautifully with no special attention (yes, we tested it). The neck is taped to hold it's shape and minimize scratchiness against your neck. Zipper and eyelets are metal, and the drawstring on the hood is beefy enough to stay tied. We've embroidered it with our wind horse logo. Sizing on this one is very generous - so those of you who were needing larger sizes than we normally offer may want to give this one a second look.
HoofPrints customer Jessica P. loves hers:
 I received my jacket just 1 day after it was shipped! Awesome!! It looks sooo great and is absolutely the warmest, softest, and best jacket I have ever ordered! Thank you so much! I will be keeping the catalog that was sent to me and placing more orders as needed. I love this jacket! Have I said that before? Lol. Anyway...thanks again and remember you can't always make everyone happy, but you sure made me happy!!"
Regularly priced at $59.99 - it's only $47.99 with the TY 20 discount and YOU STILL GET THE 1� HEADBAND! Order here
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Here's another Sweatshirt that's been a HUGE favorite for years.
Linda Kohanov's Tao of Equus (The Way of the Horse) Logo
embroidered on a super, duper soft fleece lined hooded sweatshirt. This is another one that can double for a coat. But don't let the softness fool you, this jacket's in it for the long haul. It washes and dries beautifully with no special care! *note: this one is made by a different manufacturer than the turquoise hoodie above. It's sized for ladies and runs a bit small. Check the size chart online to verify that you're ordering the correct size. Regularly priced at $59.99 - it's only $47.99 with the TY20 discount and YOU STILL GET THE 1� HEADBAND! Order here
The Tao of Equus book is one that sparked a new way of thinking for me
Author Linda Kohanov did one of the bravest things I can think of. She wrote a book about what horses might have to teach us. NOT how we can read them better so we know how to make them do what WE want (by telling them in "their" language). She wrote a book exploring the wisdom that horses can bring to the table for us. And with the study of this idea, Linda had to let go of the notion that the human must be the "boss" of all the interactions. This, of course, goes against everything I was ever taught about handling horses:
"You give an inch - they'll take a mile." - "if you're not in charge, then the horse will take over." - "You'd better get that horse to respect you, or he's gonna hurt you!"
"When I began writing The Tao of Equus in 1995, I felt intensely alone - and more than a little crazy. My horses were awakening something in me, something profound and indescribable. I could see these animals were having a life-changing effect on other people too. It's just that we couldn't talk about our experiences without sounding far too emotional or mystical - and vague.
So we chattered incessantly about the surface of all things equine: tack, breeds, training methods, lameness issues, therapeutic options, conformation, and competition. Over time, many of us became distracted by those details, losing connection to the powerful yet elusive spirit of the horse that drew us to the barn in the first place. As a result, we felt betrayed and frustrated, yet we were unable to describe why without sounding whimsical, unrealistic, and embarrassingly, irrational. How does the average riding student or instructor express, in polite conversation, that she found her soul in the eyes of a horse, only to lose it in the business of training and competing?
My reaction to this dilemma was to ask more questions, and for some odd reason, to strive to answer them: How do horses inspire us, open our hearts, and enliven our souls? Are there training principles that can enhance, rather than suppress this ability? Why would such graceful, regal beings carry our species around the world in the first place, enduring our sometimes violent, sometimes comical moods and infernal shenanigans? Is it because they're lacking significant brain power? Or are they sensitive, highly evolved beings, protecting us, nurturing us, gently guiding us, waiting for us to wake up to the wisdom they so patiently hold?... Even in the late-1990s it was laughable, if not dangerous, to ask those questions, at least in public..."
Fortunately, the timing was right for Linda's book - and instead of being tarred and feathered (as she feared) her book was selected as one of the Top Ten Religion and Spirituality books of 2001!
Gina's note:
Before you pass this off as one of those fluffy, impractical books that doesn't have much in the way to offer for problem solving - think again... the majority of horsemen (and women) have had the occasional horse who just couldn't (wouldn't) "get with the program." The usual solution is to send them on down the road. Imagine my dismay when I was seriously considering sending a second horse down the road when it occurred to me that I might be the one with the problem.
To learn more about Linda Kohanov's books, click here. |
And another one that comes with the 1� Headband even if you use the TY20 20% discount. This rugged sherpa lined hood was originally designed for my farrier customers, but I've had a LOT of ladies buy it, too. It's sturdy, infinitely washable/dryable, and the brown color hides dirt really, really well. If you have a light colored horse, not so much, but the smooth outer finish does let you sorta brush the hair off. And the unique logo is universally recognized by both riders and hoof care professionals.
I've talked about this before, can't seem to get off the topic: Our embroidered farrier garments are the most technically accurate and detailed available - I guess that sounds a little braggy... but it's the truth. Check out the other designs I found here, and here. Farriers spend their days telling uninformed clients hoof- healthy reasons why there are no nail holes in shoes past the widest point of the hoof (and in the toe) - the last thing they want in an embroidered logo is something depicting that very thing. And what's up with those scary heel caulks that stick out to the sides? A toe clip makes a nice decorative touch - but it's always drawn on the WRONG SIDE of the shoe! (sigh) OK, end of rant.
Before I made the shift to full time Farriers Greeting Cards, my "day job" was creating embroidered logos for customers at RAM Graphics. Along the way I learned a great deal about what makes a good design and what does not. (Heck, I am still learning that. You guys "teach" me by not buying the ones you don't like!)
Anyway, the process by which an idea becomes an image that can be SEWN IN THREAD on a garment is complex. There's a lot of computer stuff - to do with how the machine "knows" to sew - the sequence, tension, etc. But also a lot of organic, artsy thought goes into it. Just because something looks cool on the computer screen DOESN'T mean that it will translate that way to thread. And the color choices can make or break a design. Embroidery has a tactile effect to it that you canNOT very well simulate on screen. Fortunately, my embroiderer (and former employer) is very patient with me - and they work hard on multiple revisions of new designs until we get them just right. The result of this successful collaboration is what you see here.
Shown above is the embroidered legs design. It coordinates with our business card #BC4, too. It's over 14,000 stitches and takes a long time to sew - even though it's just 3" tall. It's available on a super warm, sherpa lined hooded sweatshirt here.
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Here's what we talked about last time
Last newsletter is here ALL newsletters are here
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ORDER FARRIER GLOVES AND...
Get a FREE EMBROIDERED BEANIE CAP
DETAILS HERE
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FREEBIE!
Ironclad Beanie Cap with every pair of
TUFF CHIX GLOVES
"Best. Gloves. Ever!" ~HoofPrints customer testimonial. More info here |
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3rd in the Series!
I Make Horse Calls, More Horse Calls & Call Dr Tebow - She Makes Horse Calls (new) Books about living a dream with horses here |
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Mule & Donkey items
Check out this brass longear charm and more here |
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The Natural Superiority of Mules
Brand new updated second edition covers everything you ever wanted to know about mules. Order here
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Blacksmith Calendar
2014 Blacksmith Calendar back issues only $1.9 9 here |
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Stay Warm with a VEST
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This Hug's For You
Equine Sympathy Cards here |
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HoofPrints
BARN BLADE
Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly Order here |
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Message
I love hearing from 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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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 the company 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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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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