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HoofPrints Newsletter
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February 20, 2015
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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've talked about Linda Kohanov's book before , below is some more of the stuff that's helped me sort it out.
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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
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Another Episode of "Fun On The Farm"
The Epic Mess. Also known as "Fixing the Fireplace"
Last time I shared the saga of two hand hewn barn beams that made their way from the task of holding up a barn in Jay County, Indiana, to adorning a stone-covered hearth wall in our home some 50 miles away here in Madison County, Indiana. it was a multi-step saga with frequent messes being made along the way, but the biggest mess was yet to come. You can read what happened next here
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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."
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"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
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: An exciting NEW jacket - and now it's ON SALE!
The last few years have brought slim pickin's in the garment department.
Finding this cool stuff for you all, and making it available at a reasonable price can be a challenge. One of my favorite outerwear vendors has had some troubles and the quality of their products is not as good these days. There are other options out there, but fancy jackets with lots of details don't come cheap. Once I add the horsey embroidery, well, that often puts it out of what is reasonable for most folks' budgets.
That's why I am so excited about this Red Fleece Lined Suede Stable Jacket. OK, so it's not really suede of the genuine leather persuasion, but you'd never know by touching it. It's made of a high-tech polyester fabric, velvety red suede on the outside, cushy charcoal sherpa fleece on the inside. The two layers are bonded together so this fits like a dream. Smooth, warm, comfortable. How could it get any better? The fabric is 4-way stretch, and it washes up great with no special coddling in the laundry. Two-way zipper unzips from the bottom for freedom of movement. Lined side pockets and top access zip pockets hold all your stuff without being bulky, Use the upper chest pocket to keep your phone close by - you can feel vibrations if ringer is off and/or have easy access for headphone cord. Sleeves are cuffed so you can adjust for perfect fit, right sleeve is embroidered with elegant Cavalero Horse logo.
Here's a fun pic of the Ladies Stable Jacket in action:
Fifteen year old Ty Gordon is daughter of R&M Ranch Rescue's Michelle Gordon. Also shown is the lovely Thoroughbred mare Star, one of the ranch's permanent resident rescues. Star's story is here. The jacket comes in sizes S - XXL. BE SURE TO CHECK THE SIZE CHART to ensure that you're ordering the correct size. These run a bit strange in how they are cut. And - I've marked it down by $10.00! here
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BEST NEWS EVER! They're Making A MOVIE!
Beautiful Jim Key is gonna be a MOVIE!
I have raved about this book for YEARS. Suffice to say it is one of my favorites.
I like books that are engaging. Meaning that they cause me to think, and to ask questions. Although it IS a fine line - if there are too many questions and not enough answers, then I feel the author has not done his or her job of providing sufficient details to keep the reader interested in the story.
You will have your own questions, too, if you read this book. "How in the world did such an amazing story slip into obscurity?" "Why didn't horse lovers latch onto this equine cultural icon - and keep his memory alive?" All of us know about Clever Hans - the horse who was able to read the subtle body language of humans, and could answer all manner of questions. It was subsequently proven that if the person asking Hans the question did not know the answer, then he did not either - thus denouncing Hans' "cleverness" after all. Ironically, the "experts" studied Beautiful Jim Key and were not able to relegate his alleged 6th grade intelligence to some sort of ruse or parlor trick. So why was he forgotten?
Jim Key's owner/trainer Dr William Key was a former slave. He traveled with his horse to places where he was regarded as something below the animal he was presenting. His educated, dignified image, openness and kindness with Jim Key often softened the hearts of those who would otherwise oppose him solely due to his race.
Here are a few bits of trivia that I found remarkable:
� Jim Key (the horse) was a half Arabian stallion (his dam was an arabian mare formerly owned by PT Barnum - who was purported to be worth her weight in gold - exhibited as such - then forgotten, abused and neglected... this is a fascinating story in it's own right)
� Dr Key followed his master's sons as they fought in the civil war - himself fighting - as he looked after their well being as best he could.
� Dr Key was imprisoned at one point during the war, and was able to win his freedom through a series of card games.
� Beautiful Jim Key was the first real "spokes-horse" for the humane movement. Serving to provoke thought in a society who previously viewed horses as only transportation - without any reason to consider that they should be treated compassionately.
� This story nearly faded into obscurity - but Dr Key had meticulously kept a trunk of records, documentation, etc. Through a series of fascinating coincidences, this information came to Tennessee native and author Mim Echler Rivas. As if chosen by fate to tell the story - Rivas rose marvelously to the challenge. The resulting book, Beautiful Jim Key is one that should be in everyone's library. And now there's even more reasons to read it if you've not already:
Recently, the wonderful news broke that MORGAN FREEMAN has signed up to star in a movie version of Beautiful Jim Key.
Based on Mim Eichlar Rivas' book, it's the true story of showman Dr William Key and his trained horse of the title. When racism relegates the showman to carnival sideshows, he recruits former PT Barnum promoter Albert Rogers, now a washed-up drunk, and the pair turn the horse into a nationwide sensation and centerpiece of the 1904 St Louis Exposition.
Robert Rodat makes his feature directorial debut from his own screenplay and previously collaborated with Mark Gordon on The Patriot and Saving Private Ryan, for which both men earned Oscar nods.
Production is set to kick off in early 2015.
Joining Gordon on the producer roster are Revelations' Lori McCreary, Cargo's Marina Grasic and Rogers Hartmann. Clay Pecorin and Russell Geyser from Two Ton and Michele Wolkoff from The Mark Gordon Company are executive producers.
"Bob and I have had a long and fruitful collaboration over the years and I am so excited to be working with him on his directorial debut," said Gordon. "The story of Dr William Key, his horse, Beautiful Jim Key, and their partner, Albert Rogers, is one of the most amazing stories I've ever come across," said Rodat. "The key element in my vision for this film is that we see both the light and the dark, that we have a wide, emotional, tonal and visual spectrum."
"Every once in a while a story comes along that is the perfect confluence of real events and profound truth," said McCreary. "And every once in a while there is a character that is written so well, that it deserves Morgan Freeman's presence. Beautiful Jim Key is both." More here , here , and here
The Beautiful Jim Key book is 334 pages - all packed full of amazing historical details and insight into the perspective of the times. Be sure you've read it BEFORE you see the movie! To order, click here.
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Here's what we talked about last time
Last newsletter is hereALL newsletters are here |
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Mule & Donkey items
Check out this brass longear charm and more here
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Customer Favorite:
TUFF CHIX GLOVES
"Best. Gloves. Ever!" ~HoofPrints customer testimonial. More info here |
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Horse Lovers Bible
Leather bound Bible is gift boxed - it's the bestselling NIV version with additional 12 pages of horse photos accompanied by inspirational thoughts and scripture verses.
Bible Pocket Partners
31 days of meaningful devotional pages - perfect for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages! HoofPrints Christian products are here
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HALF PRICE
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!) The Buck DVD is here |
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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 |
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BELOW HALF PRICE!
"Hug" clay plaque Regular price $14.50 now only $4.99 here |
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The Doctor is In Horse Thermometer
Measures a big 17" tall and under $15.00! Order here
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2015 Equestrian Day Planner HALF PRICE!
2015 Gypsy Vanner Engagement Calendar just $8.98 here
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This Hug's For You
Equine Sympathy Cards here
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NEW - IMPROVED
Horse Woman's LONG TALL LIST of things to do here
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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
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Silver Dog Whistle
Solid Sterling Silver Whistle on waxed cotton cord 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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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 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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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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