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HoofPrints Newsletter
August 31, 2014
Rob shoeing Rocky
ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THIS NEWSLETTER
Farriers 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.

2015 Farrier Organizer & Organizer Refill
This is a complete system designed specifically for farriers
Comes with snap closure binder, made of sturdy, leather-look vinyl. Added features include a clear vinyl sleeve for your small items, plus some additional pockets in the back to contain the rest of your papers. Measures 8" x 10" x 2"
and includes these items, all designed specifically for farriers:
2013 Farrier Organizer Sturdy Binder w/snap closure
Weekly Planner
Client List
Weekly Expense Tracker
Invoice Book
From the Farrier Note Pad
Late Notice Book
Appointment Cards
Pen and Calculator
(Once you have the binder, each year after you only need to buy the refill)

To order, click here

Invoices together
FARRIERS: Get your invoices at the OLD PRICE!
I announced before that we use a local printer for our 2-part carbonless farrier invoice pads and he'd absorbed the increase in paper costs for a lot longer than he should have. He warned me that there was going to have to be an adjustment... you know - like having to pass on the increased price of shoes, nails, and shipping - after you finally sit down and realize how much more they are costing you vs how much the customer is paying for shoeing;you've given yourself a PAY CUT by not raising prices as materials increase? Anyway, that's what happened here, too. 

The official increase took effect with the last catalog. However, we've held the old price ($9.00 per pad) on invoice pad ASSORTMENTS. With the assortment option, you get to choose the "A" or "B" body style, but WE pick the logos that you get. If it's important that your invoices match your business cards, then this might not be for you. But if you're wanting to save money, then here's a way to do it. The price is $40. for 5 pads - which is a savings of $1.00 per pad! To order, click here and scroll down to the yellow box

Below are a few phrases that farriers may be hearing this summer. We've assembled these & more on a collection of hilarious t-shirts. 
Things Not to Say to a Hot, Tired Farrier T-SHIRTS - $19.95 here 

The MUG (makes a great gift!) is only $9.95 here 

All it takes to be a farrier is a strong back and a weak mind!
He won't stand for me either, but your ad said you were a professional Can you come back? We are home now. Let me get my twitch before we get started. Sooo, when you're finished, do I have to wait an hour before I can ride him/her? My horse hates men. Yep, I put that stuff on their feet right before you got here. Every time we turn him out he throws a shoe. That don't look that hard! Isn't it great to be outside all day? Let me call my neighbors and their 5 kids. They have never seen a horse shod before. It sure is HOT! I used to shoe, and I can tell right away if you're doing a good job. Do those nails hurt him? He's normally gentle as a kitten, but it is the first time I have had a halter on him. Honestly, I DO clean his feet I haven't ever picked up his feet, but he seems real gentle. Can you put these shoes on good and tight so that they won't come off? My vet said for you to call him and he will tell you how to shoe my horse. He kicked the last farrier just like he kicked you. He's never been that bad!! What did you do? The last guy I had won't come any more. Can you come today? I left them out in the field because it was such a nice day. So, how much does your chiropracter run you a month? Sorry - that's my cell phone. I won't let it ring under this colt's nose again. He never does that for me. My horse doesn't kick. ...well he has never kicked before. Are you busy TODAY? Can you make his foot smaller? This is the first time he has EVER lost a shoe. Since he's a colt, will you charge me half price? I used to shoe my own horses, but I could never get the angles right. Do you think you could take a little more off that back foot? My horse is lame. You must have cut him too short. Let me help you clear out a place to work, I've been meaning to get out here and straighten up this old barn... That's not the way the farrier did it back where I come from. Can you save all the hoof trimmings for my dog? Boy, you must have a strong back to bend over all day like that. He's just trying to swat the flies off you. These shoes have been on for only 12 weeks, and they are getting loose.


WARNING - Copyrighted material! We don't mind if others enjoy our humorous quotes - but please include proper credit if you choose to pass this along... �Gina Keesling - www.farriersgreetingcards.com 
Hoof Problems Book
Got HOOF PROBLEMS? So do we!
This is unheard-of: a hardcover, profusely illustrated text for UNDER $50. And this is not an old book - full of stuff you already know - it's cutting edge information and imaging - released just a few years ago!

Here's what the publisher says about it:
Hoof Problems by Rob Van Nassau
is a much needed text that can be studied and enjoyed by farriers, veterinary surgeons and horse owners. Books have been written on the subject of horseshoeing for more than 500 years. However they have rarely been written by a practicing farrier and seldom with such detail.

The illustrations are detailed and there are many examples comparing various conformational faults which affect the equine leg and foot. A wide range of horse breeds and types are covered, including a chapter devoted to analyzing the link between the less than perfect leg - and it's effect upon the hoof capsule.

The author has obviously carried a camera throughout much of his shoeing career, documenting thousands of hooves as he worked on them. Hoof Problems is full of good case histories with "before" and "after" photography. A great, current reference book for anyone who deals with horses and their feet and legs.
To order Hoof Problems, and to see our complete selection of specially chosen books on farriery and lameness, click here.

 

Essential Principles of Horseshoeing
 
NEW FARRIER BOOK:
Essential Principles of Horseshoeing by Doug Butler
Filled with practical instructions, interactive training materials and step-by-step illustrations of common horseshoeing and trimming techniques, Essential Principles of Horseshoeing is the keystone text for farrier education or home use. It presents a new, yet foundational way of teaching this ancient craft. Traditional techniques of the farrier craft have changed little in 2,000 years, yet their application has changed dramatically in the last 25 years. This colorful book teaches simple techniques to accelerate learning and mastery.
Butler's Principles of Horseshoeing set the standard for farrier eduction. Dr Butler continues to be the trusted voice for farrier training. This Essential book evolved from lessons Dr Butler learned while teaching the craft to thousands of students, including his sons. His teaching materials provide a solid foundation of farrier education in the 21st century, as well as sound principles of horseshoeing for the betterment of horses everywhere.

Whether you are a beginner, do-it-yourselfer or expert farrier seeking to perfect your craft, this book equips individuals of all backgrounds with the best techniques to accurately trim and shoe horses. No more flipping through long, dry text books with too many words and not enough demonstration on how to get the job done! Instead, Essential Principles of Horseshoeing is a highly visual, easy-to-understand, and interactive companion, utilizing colorful guides and even QR codes to send readers to directly relevant video demonstrations on live horses of common solutions and horseshoeing techniques. To order click
 
Farrier License Place
HAND CAST 
in Indiana, USA
Aluminum License Plates, Signs & Hitch Covers - These are NOT the flimsy, wimpy versions that you see sometimes...

Our license plates and sign are solid cast aluminum and are a full 3/8" thick - weighing almost a pound! (sign weighs more) The black enamel background is BAKED ON for a durable finish - bugs don't affect it. These are built to last - and they do. We've even got a spiffy oval plate with a horseshoe and snaffle bit for horse owners. See them all here.

"It will cost extra
if you allow your horse to bite me" 
This cap has been a favorite among farriers for years, with it's about-to-bite-the-farrier horse and the ubiquitous circle/slash "NO!" sign. Today I got a chuckle as I processed an online order that included the following special instructions:
"Please send this as a gift to _____. She just saw it on Facebook and posted 'I need this'. I'd love it if you could send it anonymously and not let her know it's from me."
So now the gift cap is on it's way to it's recipient, who will no doubt be surprised at someone's sense of humor and thoughtfulness.

Even though this cap is a best seller, you'd also be surprised to learn that a lot of folks expected to get it for FREE. Each time we attend a farrier function (like the American Farriers' Association Convention), we'd witness this frantic dash to visit all the booths, and reap all the benefits of "freebies" that events of this type offer. Many manufacturers give away all sorts of nifty things, emblazoned with their logo, to consumers of their products. Ball caps are always a favorite, and most farriers have quite a collection of different specimens.

It made it a little tough for us to SELL our caps - when other vendors are giving away a similar product.

However, when I look at the huge stash of hats that my husband has - the ones tucked away in the closets, and drawers vs. the ones he actually wears... Certain caps come out on top every time.

As a picky cap consumer, he has specific features that he loves, and hates about his hats. A detail that seems minor to me - that doesn't measure up to his standards - can relegate that cap to the back of the drawer - forever. Our caps are of sturdy, neat construction, made of fabric that is durable and tightly woven - holds it's shape without being too stiff. The fit is sensible - not too low, but not too tall either (who wants to look like Elmer Fudd?) And the buckle closure on the back is the clamp style - allows infinite adjustment options for a perfect fit.

So, for under $20.00, you can buy a cap from us that surpasses his standards - that you can wear comfortably every day. Why be someone's walking billboard? When you can display a tasteful farrier logo that also coordinates with our other farrier business cards, invoices, and golf shirts.

Click here for our complete (but not free) cap selection.
Matching sportswear is here
Matching business cards are here
Matching invoices are here

Billy & Rob
FARRIERS: Folks are WATCHING you!!!
Sorry to creep you out, but it's true. 
With all the hubbub these days about privacy, huge measures are being taken to manage what various business entities are allowed to do with a person's personal information. As a marketer who uses this information to help make decisions about products & promotions, it is very valuable to me in terms of being profitable to be able to accurately target folks who are likely to be interested in what we have to offer.    
 
But there's a whole 'nother privacy thing that can come under the microscope when you work for the public. Like a farrier does. Every day, all across the world farriers make appearances at various folks' farms to do their work. And they're being observed. And sometimes (probably most times) those folks form an opinion about what they see. If it's interesting enough, they tell their friends. With the advent of the internet, they can tell a LOT of friends.

Consider A Farrier Tale from Horse & Man blog. This blogger tells an interesting account of a routine farrier visit - doesn't much mention the actual work being done - (are they being shod? barefoot? does everybody stand well? etc - typical stuff that farriers would think focus would be on) Instead, she describes her farriers' wardrobe, his grooming, even the behavior of his kids. How well he parks his truck. She becomes aware that the working conditions she's provided for him are less than stellar. It's a fascinating chronicle of how someone else views an ordinary interaction - you can read the rest here

Farriers are being talked about on another online group I belong to - this is a very technical group that discusses (often in detail way over my head) things like operant conditioning, bridge & target training, perception modification, and more. These are highly educated folks who are on the cutting edge of animal training research. I hang out there and read all this stuff that's light years ahead of my own skills - hoping a particle or two will rub off on me? There's one gal who's blind - she writes fascinating posts about her relationship with her service dog. Amazing stuff. Another gal works with troubled horses. She's rehabbed a number of "hopeless" cases. Including a mustang who'd been so traumatized by someone's effort to do "natural horsemanship" on him that he was afraid of even the water in his bucket. The discussion has recently shifted to hoof care. This gal shared her story - she'd spent eons of time getting this horse comfortable enough that she could even touch his feet. Finally she can pick them up and hold for a short time. She arranges for her farrier to come and give it a try. They discuss beforehand - he (the farrier) will do as much as he can on one foot, and they will consider the session a success and quit for the day. The farrier comes. The horse allows him to trim without much trouble. Farrier thinks he can do more. Against her better judgement, owner allows him to try. This is too much for the horse and he "misbehaves". Farrier HITS HIM with the rasp. Ugh. Of course, this negates months of work that's been done to gain this horse's trust. Fortunately for the farrier, the owner did not share his name. That wasn't really the point of her post - to trash the farrier - but to emphasize how very important it is that farrier interactions go successfully for a previously-traumatized horse in "recovery".  

There's even a Facebook Group dedicated exclusively to Farriers Butts! With members all posting photos of their farriers butts. Of course I had to get in on the action. Shown above is my husband Rob trimming Billy, while Lucy cleans up. Rob stopped shoeing years ago because of a back injury, but he still trims ours. We've found that the HoofJack really helps with working on Billy's hind feet. His hocks and hips are arthritic and he is very heavy to hold up. This device lets him lean all he wants without strain on the farriers' back.   
 
So, farriers, remember that folks are watching everything you do. Maybe even taking pictures. Make sure the fodder that they have to share is something you're proud of!   
In This Issue
2015 Farrier Organizer
Farrier Invoices
Things Not To Say To A Farrier
HOOF PROBLEMS
What's on sale?
What's on sale?
What's on sale?
Here's what we talked about last time
What Did I Miss? graphic
Last newsletter is here  
ALL newsletters are here
WHAT'S HALF PRICE?
Farrier & Horsey
AIR FRESHENERS!
Farrier car air fresheners
Farrier Air Fresheners include Money, Leather, and Sport Fresh here
Horse Air Fresheners
Horse Woman's Air Fresheners include Leather, Hay, and Carrot here
American Farriers Journal Supplies & Services Directory 1�

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Shipping charges apply.
To order click here
Look Professional
On The Job
Farrier Golf Shirt
Sturdy cotton golf shirts look and feel great! See our complete selection here
WHAT'S NEW?
Farrier Book
Millwaters Farriery Book
Millwater's Farriery here
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
Mule & Donkey items
Donkey Charm
Check out this brass longear charm and more here
The Natural Superiority of Mules

Brand new updated second edition covers everything you ever wanted to  know about mules. Order here
WHAT'S ON SALE?
MORE stuff 50% OFF
Fix my horse print
Won't You Fix My Horse, Too?
vintage art print $9.95 here
Horsey Zipper Pulls
Zipper pulls
A great way to dress up any vest, jacket, sweatshirt, or purse. Order here
BOOKMARKS
~ 50% OFF! ~
Bookmarks Composite
A Rider's Prayer, A Dog Lover's Prayer & Use Your Talents Bookmarks just 99� here
Copper HoofPrint Bracelets in 7 colors!
Copper HoofPrint Pony Bead Bracelets - colors
Hand tied right here at HoofPrints - see them all here
MADE IN USA!
Horse Secret Box
Nifty little wood  box has a lid that fits so neatly that it's virtually invisible when closed. A real deal at only $19.95 here
Embroidered Farrier Garments are most accurate and detailed available
horse legs embroidery
Read how and why here
This Hug's For You

Equine Sympathy Cards here
MANURE MOVERS
Manure Movers Sweatshirt
OF AMERICA - sweatshirt and sign available here
RIDER'S CARE PACKAGE

Save $10 on these best-selling items - makes a super thoughtful gift!
order here
HoofPrints
BARN BLADE
Barn Blade Pink Knife
Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly
Order here
Message

I love hearing from customers. You can contact HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling via email at [email protected]
 
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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
 
Quick Links
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)