Newsletters

Hall Saddlery Newsletter

May 2009

It's All About Having Fun!

Jude Bauer,
Hall Saddlery Store Manager

In our last e-newsletter, we asked you for cantering songs. Just to let you know... I received four suggestions!! My favorite was "It's Raining Men Alleluia." Thanks for your ideas, but I'm sorry to say that none of them worked while cantering. For me, I also need a song with very few words and at 53, the memory is not sharp!

I want to thank everyone who came to our Spring Sale. It was a BLAST and contrary to the doom and gloom we've been reading about and seeing on television, we had a great sale!

One of the great things about having a big sale like this is the feedback I receive from all of our customers. I try to ask a lot of questions so I can then stock our store appropriately.

And then there's the"A-HA" moment. All of the kids that come in to our store seem to be very serious about their Horse objectives. With no exception, we love working with " Emma" - who rides a Norwegian Ford. Emma is very professional about her riding but when her mother showed me a picture of Emma jumping with a huge smile (looking at the camera) and not looking that PROFESSIONAL, I had to have the picture! The expression in her photo is pure joy - which is what riding should be about, especially for kids.

Last year when I had a schooling show at Whisperwood, I told the Judge that she had to place the kids 1st through 5th "Not Everyone Wins." The kids weren't traumatized; in fact some of them liked the other colored ribbons better. But, by doing it this way, they received feedback on what to strive for.

The best thing about children that ride horses is their commitment to the sport. They are an open book for learning and they are our future customers. So, as I said in a previous letter, it is important take the time to answer questions in a serious response.


 

Another "Grooming Tool" in Book Form

Kathy Hansen,
Hall Saddlery Assistant Manager

No, this isn't anything you apply to your horse's mane or tail, but it will help you learn how to braid your horse's mane and tail, and what tools you need for the job. "Braiding Manes and Tails - A Visual Guide to 30 Basic Braids" (available at Halls for $22.95) is a spiral bound sturdy book that flips open and has a center hole for hanging (like a calendar) so you can hang it on the wall for easy reference. You can also follow the easy, well-illustrated, step-by-step directions. This book covers braiding for all disciplines including hunter, dressage, saddleseat, western, and draft.