|
|
|
|
|
HoofPrints Newsletter
|
February 26, 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE AIRY-FAIRY "BS" ISSUE
Those who've been reading this newsletter for very long have likely noticed that I tend to gravitate toward some not-so-conventional ideas when it comes to managing my animals. It's a long story, but largely attributable to the fact that at some point conventional ideas stopped working for me. It was not a shift I made readily; as I tried the gamut of problem-solving methods that were NOT working, the airy-fairy stuff kept rising to the top as the most viable. These were not ideas that I embraced with ease, as they pretty much went against everything I thought to be true about managing animals, as far as keeping things orderly and under control. It's been a bumpy ride, to say the least, and it's still not going perfectly smoothly, albeit I continue to see improvements. Old habits die hard, and animals can sense when a person is unsure of themselves. They wonder who is in charge. They all react differently - some freak out, some get angry and take charge themselves, some go off and do their own thing. Sometimes it's a mix of all these things. I talked about Linda Kohanov last time, below is some more of the stuff that's helped me sort it out. Use the TY20 code at checkout and get 20% off your entire order. DON'T WAIT! The sale ends 2/28/14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Path of the Horse
chronicles everything that's wrong with how we interact
with horses today, AND paints a hopeful picture of men and women pioneering a new way.
When I first learned of the DVD back in 2008, it was months from completion. I was elated to learn that someone was producing a documentary featuring the work of nearly all of my very favorite horse authors. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. Then the doubt started to creep in. How in the world could a video be made that would adequately portray and explain these concepts about working with horses that defy words.
Somewhere between the six year old girl who dreams of galloping off on her wild stallion - and the professional who's work involves getting results with horses... is a whole group of us confused souls who may have worn both "hats" during our lifetimes. Now the second "hat" feels wrong, and the first one feels totally unrealistic. Describing that unknown third "hat" defies words - let alone images...
I began to have reservations that such a project as Path of the Horse could even be accomplished, let alone be done well enough to paint a picture of the "third hat" that most of us have never seen...
When the pre-release version finally came, I held my breath - hoping for the best, but prepared to be disappointed. Within the first thirty seconds, I KNEW that videographer Stormy May had not only risen to the challenge, but she's artfully produced a very powerful, entertaining documentary that will undoubtedly change the way many people relate to their horses forever.
There is no part of this DVD that could be any better. Every bit of it is technically perfect - images are beautiful - footage beautifully choreographed with music - the interviews are very well done and you can hear and understand every single word. Even the non-english speaking horsemen's voiceovers are perfect. And Stormy May is no late-comer to the horse industry - she's NOT one of those people who just got into horses, managed to keep from getting killed, and is now questioning everything that has worked for everybody else whose handled horses up to this point. Stormy was a successful competitor, trainer and teacher. She owned her own facilitiy and was making a good living at teaching horses and riders to get along and win in the arena. Somewhere along the way it all started to feel wrong. She SOLD HER FARM and used the money to make this video.  I think in a larger sense, the harmful part of what I used to do to horses was not even so much by being a person who found it acceptable to cause an animal pain, but by being a person who was afraid to think for herself and do things differently because of what other people might think. I couldn't do things different than what I had been taught until I was strong enough inside myself to go my own way, even if it looked like I was the only one on that path. It gave me hope to think that if it truly was a path of love then I would be creating a space for others to come and play this new game too."
~Stormy May
If you only buy one thing from us, ever, let this be it. To order click here
|
A New "Old" Book:
WHAT HORSES REVEAL
by Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling
This book was first introduced as hardcover, and promptly sold out. It's been out of print for a few years, and is now back - updated and better than ever! Klaus has a fascinating system for understanding a horse's personality, based on appearance characteristics. According to this book, all horses, no matter what their breed or type, will fit into his clearly defined twenty-six character groups. Individuals from these groups are documented by a series of excellent photographs; the pictures and text take a concept that seems a bit whacky in it's generalizations - and flesh it out until it makes total sense. If you've ever known a horse - you can easily fit him or her into one of these character types, and then read Klaus' account of how to interact with him or her. This is not a totally unique concept - Professor Jesse Beery did it over a hundred years ago with his home study guide for training horses - except most of his methodology was geared toward causing a horse to be a capable and willing servant - without much regard to preserving the brilliance and playfulness of personality that comes from a horse who truly loves it's work and it's human partner. The author is German, so the whole book has undergone translation into English - translator Kristina McCormack is an author and accomplished horsewoman herself - so well up to the task. Nonetheless, you'll find some charming / humorous passages throughout this book:
Superficial friendliness helps you sell vacuum cleaners and win elections, but only with clarity, righteousness, and genuine, relevant empathy can you win the soul of a horse."
To order this newly released, updated version of What Horses Reveal, click here.
|
 Buy this awesome book on horse training - just a few simple lessons and you can do this! (not really) the headline was sparked by the fact that whenever I bring a new product on board, I need to figure out where to put it, so folks looking can find it. - Without getting into tedious details, the website is not clever enough to recategorize items based on what the viewer is looking for. I have to decide where it goes, and there it stays. Ever complain about where they put stuff in the grocery? I used to, too, until I started doing this. It's harder than you'd imagine, and easy to make yourself crazy if you over-think things.
Which brings me back to this fascinating book;
Lorenzo, The Flying Frenchman - The Amazing Man and His Remarkable Horses. After I realized that this one did not fit our other book categories, I decided that his training was so amazing, that's where it belonged. So added now to our training section are also books about amazing relationships between horse and human and the remarkable results of patience, understanding and careful training. So, let these be an inspiration to you - showing just what horses are capable of learning. Then, the next time you think your horse can't possibly figure out what you're trying to teach him/her, you can regroup and see if there is a different way to teach... Otherwise, just enjoy!
More about Lorenzo: Once you get past the notion that Lorenzo on the cover looks just like Jerry Seinfeld in the Puffy Shirt episode (more pictures here), you can get down to business enjoying the photos and text chronicling his remarkable life with horses. Just the section of the book that tells about his acquisition of the six grey horses shown on the cover is worth the price of the whole book; He went to Portugal and purchased a mob of unhandled 2-year-old fillies. Descriptive terms used are "wild and unruly", "real little devils", "wild as a pack of young wolves". As you can see, the transformation is remarkable. Throughout this book you will follow Lorenzo through his childhood, the development of his training methods, and finally as a renowned performer. And yes, he does occasionally fall off and get hurt. The book talks candidly about that, too. It's a wonderful addition to any equine library.
It's profusely illustrated throughout with big color photos chronicling the training process and the performances. Most impressive to me is the pleasant expressions that all the horses wear, in all the photos. Ever see a group of mares confined in close proximity to each other? Most likely everybody in the gang wasn't smiling. Probably there was some scowling and ear pinning going on. Lorenzo's got these girls so busy with their jobs that they practically look like they're whistling while they work! Never mind the bridleless roman riding... getting 6 mares not to look crabby at each other is the real feat!
This hardcover book is pretty pricey at it's regular retail of $34.95. Use the Customer Appreciation Discount (TY20) at checkout and the final price is $27.96! To order click here.
|
HEALING SHINE - A Spiritual Assignment
This is still one of my very favorite books. It's a rare candid MAN'S account of struggles with a horse that wouldn't comply with traditional riding and training.
In it Oklahoma Cowboy Michael Johnson shares a great deal of the inner dialogue that he has with himself surrounding his struggle with the "flighty, spooky, special needs, mentally challenged" horse - Shine.
The reader finds himself alternately laughing out loud, and shedding a tear as we realize that Michael's words of frustration and anguish are a lot like our own. Here's an edited excerpt from chapter seven:
"Long solitary conversations in the barn were the norm for me in those days, sometimes with the dog - but mostly with my self. I considered options, weighed angles, and most of all, wrestled with that internal voice we find inside us all; the one when someone else asks about, we deny knowing. "What?" we say. "No, I don't talk to myself; that's what crazy people do." I admit to hearing mine, and also that not only did I hear it in that barn, but we argued constantly. Then, to my surprise, I found someone - or something else - in there. I talked to myself all right, but at some point, somebody else butted in. Something - something more than me - started talking too. And by the way, what is that "thing?" That internal voice we all share our innermost thoughts with, that sparring partner we tell things we tell no other.
Who is that?
Is that our "self" or is it the Spirit? Is that Jesus, and does he know where Idabel Oklahoma is? Is that voice the "Comforter" He promised to send? Be it guardian angel or deceased ancestor looking down on us from above, I have no idea - not a clue.
Not only was the voice interested in Shine, it was the only one - considering the number of friends I had alienated - as interested in the topic as me. Indeed, it seemed to want to talk about Shine more than I did. Not just idle chatter, either - this thing had ideas, suggestions, and thoughts I simply could not have generated on my own. And the voice even claimed to have the answer. And the answer was...
"You do it!"
"Best way is - you do it!"
...whatever had lit on the shoulder of my mind just didn't understand. The reason I was in this fix with this horse was due to my lack of knowledge. So why on earth did the answer keep coming to me that somehow the solution was in me? That was impossible."
...
"You are like all the rest. You pray for great horse. You say, 'Oh, please give me great horse.' Get one, and what do you do? You say, 'Oh, he's crazy, I can't handle him, I need help, send him to someone else.' HEY! Are you listening? We didn't send him to someone else! We sent him to you!"
On the other hand, Michael received plenty of advice from EXTERNAL voices, too.
"Wet saddle blankets are all he needs." "Guarantee you a good ten-mile lope everyday for a week would solve most of your problems." "Hell, just rope on him. All that psychology stuff is messing up your brain. Just rope on him." "Why don't you find a horse that has some sense and will just let you rope and enjoy yourself?"
Click here to order Healing Shine - and read (or listen to) what happens next
|
 The Doctor Is In! All I Pay My Psychiatrist is the Cost of Feed and Hay - he'll listen to me any day!
Here is a delightful way to keep track of those early summer temps we've been experiencing! We found this spiffy metal thermometer - with the perfect horse saying - for only $14.95! It's made of durable, fade resistant tin, measures a big 17" tall, and is suitable for indoor our outdoor use. The thermometer glass is a FULL 6" tall - and the numbers are big enough to read easily.
What a great (and useful) gift idea for a horse-loving friend. And it's inexpensive enough to send "just because".
I have dozens of folks I call my friends - that I've met along my horse challenge journey, who I have never actually met in person. They're part of various internet communities that I frequent, and they've all helped me immensely with their wise words and advice for all manner of equine quandaries. Training, nutrition, tack - you name it - someone in cyberspace has answered my questions about it. In my experience, when used with discernment and further research, this information has proven to be every bit as helpful and valuable as the advice that I have gotten from a myriad of professionals that I have PAID along the way. When one of my internet friends goes out of his or her way to help me - I always wish I had something appropriate that I could send as a thank you gift. This is the PERFECT solution. To order one for yourself or for your friend(s) click here . |
|
|
|
Here's what we talked about last time
Last newsletter is hereALL newsletters are here |
FREEBIE!
Ironclad Beanie Cap with every pair of
TUFF CHIX GLOVES
"Best. Gloves. Ever!" ~HoofPrints customer testimonial. More info here |
|
Bible Pocket Partners
Saddle Up For Jesus small devotional book for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages - goes great with the Horse Lovers Bible here |
|
HALF PRICE + 20% OFF
Best-Selling DVD
This is a great DVD - there's a lot of wisdom here, and I'll even forgive him for saying that it's a bad idea to train with treats. (hey, no one can know EVERYTHING!) All the Buck stuff is here |
|
I Make Horse Calls Books
"I was so grateful for the care the gentle senior student took with Pischka that day. ... I will not forget the thoroughness of that student, and would emulate her when I entered practice. I would never dismiss an owner's complaint, because I remember how I felt when vets dismissed Pischka's illness, never trying to find out what made Pischka so sick." -from Horse Calls, available here |
|
BELOW HALF PRICE!
+ 20% OFF
"Hug" clay plaque Regular price $14.50 now only $4.99 here |
|
A Look At Life
From The Saddle
COWBOY CODE from pg 6:
- Speak the truth and let your word be your bond.
- Never betray a trust or desert a friend.
- Protect and care for those who can't help themselves.
- Be gentle with women, children, and the elderly.
- Care for animals and protect the land.
- Be courteous, polite, & neat.
- Learn all you can and cultivate wisdom.
- Speak straight, speak properly, & don't speak too much.
- Do the job you're paid to do with pride and honor.
- Never quit when times are toughest.
- It's fine to feel fear, but don't let it back you down.
- Remember that good never prevails without courage & grit.
- If something sounds too good to be true, expect that it is.
- Keep your sense of humor and don't meddle.
- When you've done all you can, rest in your faith.
This special little hardcover book makes a great gift. It's available here
|
|
20% OFF Summer T's
Cool Summer weight Horsey T-shirts less than $14 each here! |
|
I Know Great Horses Live Again
Somewhere...somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on
and tall trees grow
Some Paradise
where horses go.
For by the love
that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
Order the Great Horses custom framed verse here
|
|
BOOKMARKS
Half Price + 20% OFF
A Rider's Prayer, A Dog Lover's Prayer & Use Your Talents Bookmarks just 99� here |
|
Message
I LOVE hearing from 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 |
|
|
SALE ENDS 2/28/14 - 20% OFF Your Entire Order!
| 
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.
|
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.
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
