Newsletter: Farrier Industry Report | December 2009

Kid in the Candy Store
By Mike Banks Valentine

A little boy approached the candy counter to peer through the glass case at the assorted sweets in huge piles and colorful arrangements. His mouth watered as he thought of the chocolate-covered peanuts in front of him.
              
He saw his reflection in the glass and licked his lips in appreciation of the jellybeans near his right hand. Licorice whips tempted him on the left as he looked over the neat rows of twisted black and red treats.

Sometimes, the promise of success online is like being tempted by every imaginable technical goody. Do you choose a Web developer or buy (then learn to use) software to create your site? Do you choose a domain name or maybe use a free Web host and an URL redirection service? Do you buy the fastest modem or choose ISDN service? How about that new cell phone with Web access or the laptop with satellite reception?

The shopkeeper smiled as he watched the 5 year old press his nose against the display case with wide eyes.

Those of us online are building our future on the Web but are still confronted daily with new services that promise success at every turn.
              
"What do you want?" the shop owner asked kindly.

 Without looking up, the boy answered, "I want all of these candies!"

 "If you choose just one, I'll give it to you, the clerk said.

The boy scowled with deep concentration, then scanned the length of the case at the assortment of taffy, then at the brightly colored hard tack candy arranged in sections of various colors and shapes, then at the chocolate, which encased cherries, coconut, almonds and crèmes of all sorts. He imagined the tart flavor at the center of the jawbreakers and the wrapped pieces of chewy caramel and couldn't make up his mind. He lingered at the end of the counter, staring at the gummy bears.

Sometimes we let the selection of Web goodies arrayed in every direction dazzle us. We look longingly at every option from America Online to our neighborhood service provider and worry over choices as tempting as Direct Subscriber Lines or as colorful as "broadband" (cable) and can't make up our minds. Do I need a "Shopping Cart" and a site search option, or just domain multi-homing and a single e-mail account? Do I want a database-linked site and my own server or does the  local Internet company provide all I need for now?

Ultimately, the young boy couldn't decide among all of the candy flavors and his mother returned to hurry him out of the drugstore.

Getting online is easy. Making choices is sometimes more difficult. But if you don't get your business on the Web, your competitors may force you to make a move before your mommy hurries you out of the candy store.

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Letter from the President

Let me take a moment to wish all of you a happy New Year. I love this time of year and the joy it brings. The time that we all take to enjoy and share our love with family and friends is gratifying.

It is also a time to count our blessings and give thanks. Here are a few things I am thankful for:

• For my mom, that she is with us and in good health.
  
  
• For my health.
  
  
• For my beautiful daughter and the wonderful, successful person she has become.
  
  
• For the opportunity to live out here in this big country.
  
  
• That this great industry of ours has afforded me a living for such a long time.
  
  
• That during these challenging economic times, my business still exists.
  
  
• For the friends I have made over the years in the farrier industry and all the fantastic folks from all over the world who I never would have known but for the industry I've found.
  
  
• For the progressive thinking board of directors and officers with whom I get to work in the FIA. Not only for their precious time, but also for sharing the vision of the potential the FIA has and the courage to stand up and take sometimes unpopular decisions to see that vision through.
  
  
• To have been born in this great country and the opportunities and freedom that it brings.
  
  
• To the men and women in the armed forces who have and continue to give their lives so that we remain free.

As you enjoy your family and friends this holiday season, take a moment to count your blessings.

See you in Portland!

Bob Bachen
President, FI

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MarketPlace Update

A few dozen booths remain open for the MarketPlace. To participate, contact Jean Weiss at (601) 924-3495, or write to: Farrier Industry Association, 134 Fairmont Street, Suite B, Clinton, MS 39056. She may also be reached through e-mail.

Click here to access our MarketPlace brochure, which outlines cost, registration, an up-to-date exhibitor list and important dates to remember. We’re also asking that you help spread the word by displaying posters in your storefront or posting them in area businesses. We will mail some to you or they can be accessed here.

An exciting lineup of guest lecturers have been chosen to speak each day on a range of topics including shoeing and trimming techniques, tips on starting a farrier business and how to be successful at it, and general hoofcare issues. Click here to learn more.

Deadlines to Remember:
Monday, Feb. 1: Special group hotel discount ends. Last day to return Membership Directory information. All 2010 members are included in the directory, which will be distributed in Portland.

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Know Before You Go: Random Facts About Portland

Population: 545,140 in the immediate city and 2 million in the Portland metropolitan area

Area: 145 square miles

Elevation: Average of 173 feet above sea level

Average Portland Temperatures: Winter: 40 degrees; Summer, 80 degrees (and it gets its fair share of scorchers.)

Weather: Around 45 inches of rain per year (less than cities like Atlanta, Houston and Seattle) and, generally, 155 days with measurable precipitation. If it snows, the city pretty much shuts down. Rumor has it that there are only three snowplows.

That’s Interesting ….

• A taxi from the airport to downtown cost around $30, or hop on the light rail (the MAX) for less than 3 bucks.

• Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without self-serve gas stations. Yep, you are not allowed to pump it yourself.

• Portland is the largest city between San Francisco and Seattle.
  
  
• In most cases, east-west streets are named while north-south avenues are numbered. (North Portland is an exception.)

• Portland got its name in a coin toss.

• Portland is home to Mill Ends Park, the smallest park in the world. Only 2 feet across, its a real must see located downtown in the middle of a crosswalk on Front Avenue at Taylor Street.

• On the flipside, Forest Park is nearly 5,000 acres. It is the largest urban park in the United States.

• Portland has no sales tax.

• It is home to the Saturday Market (under the Burnside Bridge), the largest open-air crafts market in continuous operation in the United States. Despite it’s name, it is also open on Sundays.

• There’s free wireless and more than 100 spots where one can hookup to the Internet for free. Surf in Pioneer Square, PGE Park and many local parks and neighborhoods.

• Powell's City of Books is the largest used and new bookstore in the world, spanning an entire city block.

• Portland reportedly has more strip clubs per capita than both Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Welcome, Ya’ll

The following businesses are new or returning members. Thanks for your support.

Alvin Farrier Supply North
16915 FM 2920-Unit B
Tomball , TX 77377
(281) 290-9550
(281) 561-1063
alvinfs@r2rconnect.net
www.alvinfarriersupply.com

Our two stores (in Alvin and Tomball) are full-line farrier stores that carry name brand shoes, anvils, forges and tools. We manufacture a flip style hoof stand and are the worldwide distributor for DURASOLE.

Hypona Horse Care Products, Inc.
22377 O Avenue
Langley, British Columbia V2Z1S1
Phone: (604) 530-9067
Fax:(604) 530-6760
heinz@hypona.com
www.hypona.com

Manufacturer of the Hypona "Supreme" Propane forge and quality horse care products since 1995.

McKee's Farrier Supply
25575 NE North Valley Rd
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-5998
mckeesfarrier@aol.com

MNC LTD
Unit 8, Lower Rectory Farm
Orchard Mill Lane, Great Brickhill
Milton Keynes Bucks MK179AF ENGLAND
01-90-8366855
01-90-8640688
richard@mnc.ltd.uk
www.horseshoes.co.uk

MNC is a family run business in England that designs and manufactures horseshoes and horseshoe nails, which are distributed throughout the United Kingdom and are marketed worldwide. Our history goes back three generations as blacksmiths, farriers and engineers, combining traditional methods with new design techniques and materials to help farriers achieve a well-shod horse.

R.A.T.E. Company
2100 Reach Road
Williamsport, PA 17701
(570) 329-3780
(570) 329-3779
mike@keystoneleather.com

Manufacturer/distributor of R.A.T.E. Hoof Packing and other hoof care products.

Shanghai March Import and Export Company LTD
14B No. 1 Huang Xing Road
Zhongtong Building
Shanghai, China
86-21-65398871
86-21-65398872
yyyongz@sh163.net
www.shanghai-march.com

Professional manufacturer of MARCH horseshoe nails and farrier tools, and an exporter of quality products to more than 20 countries.

Vetericyn, Inc.
3546 N Riverside Ave
Rialto, CA 92377
866.318.3116
amikas@vetericyn.com
www.vetericyn.com

One-step wound and infection treatment that works naturally with your animal’s immune system.

Western Equine Enterprises, Inc.
#6-19295 Enterprise Way
Surrey,  British Columbia V3S6J8
Phone: (604) 534-3085
Fax: (604) 534-3085
 
Retailer and wholesaler of farrier supplies from name brands including
Mustad, Capewell, Cooper and Delta nails; Kerckhaert, St. Croix, Breakaway and Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd. and Werkman horseshoes; and all major brands of farrier tools. 

Become an FIA Fan

As we mentioned in the last issue, the FIA is now on Facebook, and we already have 217 fans. If you are a member and have a business, please tell us so we can add it to our favorite pages. Photos, event dates and friend suggestions also are welcome. Check us out, and while you’re there, invite your Facebook friends in the industry to attend the upcoming FIA MarketPlace in Portland.

Up and Coming

In the next few weeks, we will be rolling out a new feature on the FIA Web site. Businesses will be chosen at random and asked to participate in what we’re calling our Member Spotlight. This is your chance to tell the world about your business and best of all, it’s free.

In Case You Forgot

Membership dues for 2010 have increased from $125 to $150, as voted on by the FIA Board of Directors. Annual dues last from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

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Laugh Lines

A young man asked an old rich man how he made his money.

The old guy fingered his worsted wool vest and said, "Well, son, it was 1932. The depth of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel.

"I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for 10 cents.

"The next morning, I invested those 10 cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at 5 p.m. for 20 cents. I continued this system for a month, by the end of which I'd accumulated a fortune of $1.37."

"And that's how you built an empire?" the boy asked.

"Heavens, no!" the man replied. "Then my wife's father died and left us 2 million dollars."