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HoofPrints Newsletter
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July 9, 2014
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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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The embarrassment continues...
Remember the sensitive Arabian mare that I've talked about in previous newsletters - the major diva / drama-queen that over reacts to everything I try to do with her?
I confirmed her notion that I am not to be trusted
last week by lunging her. Through a nest of bees.
Here's what happened:
A local online friend who raises black Arabians had been posting amazing pictures on Facebook of herself and her gang. Two online friends of hers are aspiring young photographers and I was impressed at the images they'd captured. Ya' gotta love Facebook for facilitating all these connections between horsey gals who'd probably otherwise have never met... Anyway, here on the farm, the field beside our pond has produced a bumper crop of both sweet clover and red clover - the yellow and purple together made a lovely colorful contrast against the trees in the background. I hatched a scheme - to hire these ladies to come and take some pics of me with my horses out in the flowery field. It was a business endeavor - I need a new selfie for the newsletter to replace the one with the Clydesdale that I have been using for years. So - arrangements are made and the gals arrive, cameras in hand, to capture myself, the horses and the scenery. Things go great with Billy, and it sets the tone for a fun and productive session. But - then I bring Allie out. I've worried in the days preceding this appointment that she'd behave badly, and she obligingly fulfills my premonition. She's distracted, fidgeting all around and whinnying for her herd mates. I've not yet seen the proofs that have me in them, but I'd say the gals were hard pressed to have gotten any shots that didn't have me looking rather grim and sweaty as I tried to manage my frazzled mare. (The upside to all this is there are numerous photos of her posing high-headed and mega alert, like you see in the fancy Arab magazines.) And so it went...  Finally, I stopped trying to contain her forward momentum and just let her trot in a small circle around me at the end of the lead rope. The whole time I was thinking
"Why can't you just trust me for a change?!"
I was feeling embarrassed, frustrated and a little angry at her silly behavior in front of these gals I'd just met. It seemed that the lunging was a good decision as she struck up an animated, photogenic trot. The photographers were talking amongst themselves as they snapped pictures, the dogs were splashing in the pond, and the other two horses were calling from the barn - but through all this other noise I heard a rushing / roaring sound - almost like wind - even though it was a calm day. Then, I notice my horse spooking at something on the ground in the tall grass. The next round she spooked in the exact same place. By the third round, my not-so-swift brain finally realized what it's been hearing. Bees!
By the time I get the photographers' attention - and manage to blurt out that we may have a problem, I've forgotten all about my horse (who is the distracted one now?) I notice that she's no longer fidgeting and pulling on me. She's behind me, stock-still, with her forehead pressed against my back. Hiding. She may not trust me much, but I guess enough to be her shield from angry bees? Fortunately no one was stung. The bees ended up being bumblebees, which are alleged to be relatively unaggressive. Whew!
Allie did some pretty fancy trottin' over those bees! And we did some pretty fancy trottin', too, away from there once we figured out what the noise was. The photographers are still editing and adding the resulting images to online albums. You can check them out here: Brittany Henderson Photography and L Duncan Photography 
This is not the first time I've shared my embarrassment.
In fact, it's happened on a fairly regular basis.
There was the time I spanked a little puppy for biting my son - and in the process made her AFRAID of a treat that she dearly loved. Had I not seen this with my own eyes, I would have NEVER considered that one swift correction could have such far-reaching negative ramifications. This was a textbook punishment - swift - immediate - almost as the "crime" was happening. And it's effect went terribly wrong. The rest of that story is here. ***Please keep in mind as you step back in time with these old newsletters that some of the links may not work properly and sales/special pricing may have expired***
 Then, there was the time that I set about "desensitizing" my horse to get her over a fright involving a rope. That lead to a multi-part saga of embarrassing decisions and mistakes that I am still learning from this very day. That one took several newsletters to get the story told. Part 1 is herePart 2 (with scary pictures) is herePart 3 (a follow-up that answers the obvious questions) is herePart 4 saw another "expert" added to the equation, with somewhat disastrous results here  After that, I bragged about my successes using positive training methods to cure my horses from behaving badly when exiting their stalls here. Then I was embarrassed that I'd revealed that I had difficulties managing something so simple as exiting stalls in the first place. So in an effort to redeem myself, I posted my picture with a bunch of horse show awards sporting a Dorothy Hamill haircut here. (Am I the only one who reminisced of those days while watching Meryl Davis and Charlie White skate in the Olympics?)  Not to confine my embarrassing moments to dog and horse training blunders, I branched out to house keeping transgressions here
at the same time advising folks that they can make themselves happy by simply cleaning something.
And finally, one of my favorite stories that recounts an extremely embarrassing mistake made processing an order - and probably NOT something I should be sharing to inspire consumer confidence in the company: Mistakes... - by HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling We made our share this fall... and more than once I found my math-impaired self continually going over the actual statistics: that 99.9% of orders were shipped completely and correctly. Nonetheless it's hard not to be upset/embarrassed over the ones that went wrong. More than once, however, the kindness and understanding of customers went above and beyond what I ever could have hoped for. One evening, I answered a call from a gal who sounded very perplexed. She informed me that she'd received a package from HoofPrints, addressed to her, but that she'd never ordered. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that someone ELSE had called in an order from her town - and mistakenly we had pulled up the wrong customer in the computer and assigned the order to them. It's one of those doozie mistakes that happen when we try to high-speed multi-task (which is pretty much all of Oct - Nov - Dec) So then we were left with the awkward task of rectifying the mistake and explaining to TWO customers how it happened (in a way that didn't make us sound like bumbling idiots) I planned the logistics of getting the incorrect package back from the wrong person - and the correct package to the RIGHT person... Then the dreaded call was made. The husband of the gal who received the package in error answered the phone, and I was prepared for him to be angry at the inconvenience we'd caused them... Astonishingly, he explained that it was a small town, and he offered to locate the intended recipient of the order, and TAKE IT TO THEM!!! Within an hour the package was at the home of it's rightful recipient. Even though this happened a few years ago, I still marvel at the kindness and understanding of a total stranger who covered our butts for us when we really didn't deserve it. That man's act of kindness and servitude made a lasting impression on me - and since then I have tried to follow his example; to display the same graciousness to others I encounter who may need help rectifying their mistakes... Quotes on mistakes;"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." -Franklin P. Jones
"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." -George Bernard Shaw
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one." -Elbert Hubbard |
LIFE IS TOUGH...
No doubt about it. Seems like the past months have been tougher than usual for a lot of folks.
A few minutes browsing Facebook confirms that fact - from a myriad of tragic happenings worldwide, to those right here at home.An unfortunate side effect to all this trauma and angst is the apparent lack of patience and understanding with each other. After you get done reading all the stories of tragedy, sickness and loss - then you get to the cranky comments thrown at each other. I wrote about that in this newsletter.At any rate, I think author Judith Orloff has the right idea concerning this phenomenon of global angst and crankiness:
"Emotional freedom means learning how to stay centered in a stressful, highly emotionally charged world. Since emotions such as fear, anger, and frustration are energies, you can potentially "catch" them from people without realizing it.
If you tend to be an emotional sponge, it's vital to know how to avoid taking on an individual's negative emotions or the free-floating kind in crowds. Another twist is that chronic anxiety, depression, or stress can turn you into an emotional sponge by wearing down your defenses. Suddenly, you become hyper-attuned to others, especially those with similar pain. That's how empathy works; we zero in on hot-button issues that are unresolved in ourselves. From an energetic standpoint, negative emotions can originate from several sources. What you're feeling may be your own; it may be someone else's; or it may be a combination."
Read the rest of this article here. Dr Orloff is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA an intuition expert, and bestselling author. Her website is here and she's got a youtube channel here.  LIFE IS TOUGH - BUT I AM TOUGHER Shown here is one of my favorite reminders that we are all in this together. But it's also a reminder to resist taking on the problems that aren't mine. And especially to be compassionate for those angry, upset folks who, like Dr Orloff talks about above, are not only dealing with their own challenges, but are attracting and experiencing more of the same from others. It's a hard trap to get out of.
These inspirational jewelry pieces are inexpensive - a perfect little pick-me-up for a friend who needs encouragement - even if that friend is yourSELF! The pink stretch bracelet is lightweight and comfy with it's sweet little pony girl charm. The stamped charm necklace is rather bold and chunky. The chain is a little longer (and adjustable) so you can wear it outside a sweater or with a shorter necklace if desired. The charms are removable, too, so if you have a day that you just need COURAGE, or STRENGTH - you have that option. To see all the inspirational jewelry, click here 
And isn't it cool - while we are all out soaking up crankiness and angst from each other, and adding it to our own - that our pets are still so willing to engage and comfort us? Jean Hofve DVM makes this interesting observation:
"I've often thought it strange
that, despite the close relationships between animals in a household, when their people come home, what they want most is to be with their human friends. Wouldn't you think they'd be just as happy with each other? Wouldn't they just look up and say, "Oh hi, honey, how was your day?" and go back to what they were doing? But no matter how much fun they're having, or how comfortable they are - right away they come to greet their human family members. They stay by us - or on us, as the case may be - they plainly prefer to be with us than with each other.
- from Timeless Spirit Magazine
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Clutter busting 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 samples* - so many wonderful things, 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.
*A note about the samples - Someone made a comment on the HoofPrints Facebook page that the samples are free to me and implied should thus be priced accordingly. Just to set the record straight - I pay for almost every sample I acquire. Occasionally an author or publisher will send me a book unsolicited, but I prefer to buy these anonymously so if I review and don't think it is a good fit for the product line, I don't feel guilty about not including it.
Half Price PRINTS are here - there are a lot of lovely prints languishing in drawers here that really should be hanging on folks' walls making them smile and beautifying their homes. Fall/winter is busy season here and I don't encourage print sales then - I don't have the extra time it takes to wrap these carefully for safe delivery. Now that Christmas is past, I've marked them way down now to sweeten the deal.
 Half Price JEWELRY here
The more I got to digging, the more I found. Jewelry doesn't take up much room - suffice to say there is a LOT of lovely stuff that needs to find a new home. Then there's that whole problem I have with the beads. It's getting worse. Stay tuned for details on that.
Newest is Half Price Books & Magazine Back Issues here
This represents a major turning point for HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling. This treasure trove of magazine back issues has been lovingly collected and hoarded for many, many years. It's getting to be a space problem, keeping them all stored AND due to the sheer volume of them, along with my busy schedule, they rarely get any attention. But even now, as I go through them to write sales descriptions, I am feeling sad at the prospect of letting go of this vast collection of pictures and articles about all the things I love - Horses, Dogs, Farriery and Blacksmithing, The West, Pretty Western Clothes and Jewelry, Awesome Country Homes, Recipes for Hearty Food, Healthy Living, Spirituality and more. I'll do my best to mention the content that stands out to me in the descriptions. Prices on these back issues reflect the fact that I am still very much in love with them, however they are at or below what the publishers are charging. The current sales list is small, but I'll be adding more as I am able; going through these is a slow process, as you can imagine, I get sidetracked frequently by all the fascinating content that lead me to hoard these in the first place.
The 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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Here's what we talked about last time
Last newsletter is here ALL newsletters are here
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WHAT'S NEW?
SALE on Spring T's
3 Springy Horsey T-shirts less than $10 each here!
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Leather Treat Pouch
Keep your phone, keys and more with you when you ride
- under $20 here
Use the free Endomondo App on your smart phone to keep track of your riding time, route, calories burned, etc
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Cute Thermometer
ON SALE!
BIG 17" tall! Makes a great gift! Durable enough for outdoors!
Order here
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BEST NEWS EVER!
BEAUTIFUL JIM KEY movie is in the works! Morgan Freeman has signed on as the star! In celebration, the book is $9.00 OFF here
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Farriers Traveling Desk
Corral your paperwork on the road! And it's HALF the cost of the previous version here
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HoofPrints has it! The classic print "FOUND"
12x16 Print available 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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A HORSEWOMAN'S PRAYER
is printed on parchment,matted in a fancy mat with a brass Epona Medallion inset in the corner. The frame is an antique horseshoe pattern. Order here
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WHAT'S HALF PRICE?
American West Purses
Hill Country Collection here
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Courage doesn't always roar...
sometimes courage is that quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "i will try again tomorrow." To order click here
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ON SALE - $10 OFF
A Pet's Prayer
My people are so precious, Lord;
I know You think so, too...
And I believe You put me here
To love them just for You!
They take such gentle care of me
And have such tender hearts...
Please use me, Lord, to comfort them
Whenever teardrops start.
They face a lot of battles
As they live & work each day...
They need me, Lord,
To make them smile
And show them how to play!
The world is full of people,
But sometimes real friends are few...
Please let my love & loyalty
Remind them, Lord, of you.
And when my final moment comes,
Lord, tell them as we part...
I was a made-to-order gift
From Your great, loving heart!
This lovely framed verse has a spot at the top for your own pet's photo. A wonderful reminder that our pets are, indeed, a gift from God.
To order click here.
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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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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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