KyHorse.com's Site News Blog

Sometimes We Guess Wrong

2011-03-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

Being a small horse supply business in a world of companies that could buy us out with the cash in the change drawer presents it own set of challenges from day to day.

Late last year we recieved an email from Farnam that their Red Cell equine supplement would be going up in price this spring. Red Cell is a "high visibility" product. It's hard to discount deeply because of its weight and the freight concerns that entails. It's also hard to mark up much, because everyone sells it and people tend to remember what they are having to pay.

So, based on what we were told, we adjusted our price as little as we felt was safe to prepare for the upcoming price increases. The last thing we wanted to do was sell 10 cases at last years price and then have to pay this year's price to fulfill the order.

Come to find out, it hasn't gone up noticeably and it doesn't look like it is going to for a while. So we are running it on sale even cheaper than we had it listed last year. We don't know how long it will last, but we hope it helps in the mean time.

Crusade Against Equine Colic

2011-03-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

Freedom Health, LLC, makers of SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program®, has announced the introduction of a new awareness campaign: the Crusade Against Equine Colic™.

As a leading equine health product, SUCCEED supports greater education and awareness of important digestive health concerns like colic. Knowledge is power. This is particularly important with colic, as it is the number one medical killer of adult domestic horses. That fact has been well-established by veterinary science, but the root causes of colic are less well understood.

Our goal is to save as many horses as possible from deadly and debilitating bouts of colic, though educating trainers, riders, farm managers … the people who care for horses every day.

“We are proud to bring you the Colic Crusade, a movement to empower you with information to help you take charge and avoid colic,” says John Hall, president and CEO of Freedom Health. “Please share this with others, invite them to visit our new website, and share your experiences so that, together, we can vastly reduce the incidence of colic.”

Here’s how you can become a Crusader in the fight against equine colic:

Visit http://www.coliccrusade.com/ to learn how colic is induced, get tips on colic prevention, and understand the signs that your horse may be at risk
Share your stories of colic battles lost and won
Sign up to receive articles and colic stories from the Crusade by e-mail
Get involved in the community at the Colic Crusade Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ColicCrusade?sk=wall, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ColicCrusade, and spread the word.

The Crusade Against Equine Colic, presented by SUCCEED, is now live. Please join us as we campaign for better equine digestive health.

PRICE LOWERED ON POLY LEADS

2011-03-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

Our sales of poly lead ropes are fairly dismal. Probably not so dismal for the size business we are, but when we look at how many halters and other similar items we sell - they do not compare well.

We move an incredible number of nylon horse halters.

We even sell more more than our fair share of trailer ties and cross ties.

But we barely make our "volume quota" (which lets us get them at a good price) on nylon lead ropes.

It HAS to be a price issue. Most of our online competitors carry the imported versions. We opted to stick with ropes that were at least assembled in the USA (invidually, the snaps and rope are presumably both imported). This puts us at a competitive disadvantage.

But we will give it a try. We have lowered the price to see if it makes a difference.

This is the kind of stuff you run into when you have a business...

2011-03-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well, we just found out why we do not have the new ShowSheen Detangler Gel.

The back story is that Absorbine started promoting this stuff back in December. We decided to hold off until late January to order when we really get into "new product" mode. We placed our order with the manufacturer representative as normal and scheduled our first shipment of the product for mid-February(theoretically when people would start thinking about scraping the winter crud off of their horses if we had a few nice days of weather).

So in anticpation of its arrival we put the product on the web site.

Then our shipment did not arrive.

Then we sold some (that we did not have on hand in case you missed that).

Then we ordered from two other distributors.

Nothing.

Come to find out, after the initial "promotional batch" which was mostly handed out at dealer shows, probably sent to a few high profile users, and obviously used to make their nifty promotional videos, they had a bit of a problem at the factory.

Apparently it smelled funny and they started over. No shipments. No product.

And so we wait. But for the record we have PLENTY of the old formula...now if someone could just tell me the difference in the two.

New Products and a Special Offer from EquiMax

2011-03-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Let's start with the special offer. EquiMax dewormer will send you a hoof pick brush if you buy two tubes. If you buy four tubes they will send you a hoof pick brush plus a tube of ivermectin dewormer. All you have to do is mail in the form with the appropriate UPC labels and a copy of your receipt.

On the new item front we have added Cut-Heal Liquid Freeze in their new 16 ounce trigger spray bottle. This is a much more economic way of buying the product than their previous 7 ouce (or smaller) sizes. As a matter of fact, the packaging is so new that we can only get it factory direct - we have 3 distributor warehouses that we normally buy it from and none are stocking it yet.

Also, getting ready for fly season (it's gonna be here in a day or two...mark my words) we have started carrying Fly Free Zone Horse Collars and Leg Bands AND Defy the Fly Horse Collars and Leg Bands. We have been meaning to pick up at least one of these lines like forever. Now, your next question is going to be "which is better?" No idea here. We have had them in-stock for like 3 days as I write this. We hope to get YOUR feedback.

Along the same lines we have brought in Pyranha Pyrethrin Shampoo. This product seems like a great idea to me. The Pyranha Fly Spray line is known for its effectiveness and is one of our best sellers. I am guessing that if they are willing to put their name on it, it must work.

We also have brought in the new Stress Dex SB (as if we needed another). This is their new salt-based electrolyte horse supplement. Okay, technically ALL electrolytes are salt-based...this one has less sugar than most making it an excellent choice for horses that don't need the sugar.

I also wanted to mention Howe Clean Shampoo from Finish Line. Every time we start carrying a melaleuca (tea tree oil) based shampoo it seems to go off the market for one reason or another. Let's all hope this one works out better for us.

Finally, we sell a LOT of wood chewing and cribbing products. We can hardly keep Chew Stop and Miracle Collars on the shelf. This week we added a time tested product Carbolineum Halt Cribbing.

Special Purchase on Figure 8 Foal Halters

2011-02-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

Foaling season is upon us. As the little ones start hitting the ground, a lot of you are going to want to put a leather halter on them. The bad part is that they outgrow traditional newborn foal halters quickly. NOT SO with our Figure 8 Foal Halters.

These economical halters come with two interchangable crowns so that you can use this well designed halter for months to come. They even have a romoveable catch strap to aid in getting a hold on them...however, getting close enough to catch the catch strap is YOUR problem.

We are taking advantage of a special offer from the manufacturer and we are passing the savings on to you as long as we can. They are $10.95 each. We expect to be able to offer that price through most of April.

While we are on the topic of halters, we have started adding a selection of "do-it-yourself" halter repair parts. No need to send off your broken halters for repairs...just replace the broken parts with these simple pieces for years more use of your tack.

Several New Products

2011-02-25T05:47:00.000-08:00

We have expanded our Vetericyn line to include the Vetericyn Opthalmic Gel, Vetericyn Ear Rinse, and Vetericyn Eye Wash. This product line has proven extremely popular and reliable and we highly recommend it based on our own usage experience on the farm.

We also brought in some of the Powerflex line of bandages. They are marketed as being better than Vetrap. Don't know about that but they sure are pretty.

Finally (for this post) a lot of people have asked us about making Leather Grooming Halters in our shop. We just DO NOT have the extra time and man power, but we have started offering a good one made by Weaver Leather.

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/17/2010

2011-02-17T04:12:00.000-08:00

We've been a little lazy on the blog front this week. Sorry...just too many irons in the fire as they say.

We put our ivermectin paste horse wormer on sale today for $3 a tube. We won't be making money at that price but we have a bunch of it in-stock and more on the way and it seems a bit silly to watch it sit on the shelf.

Once our inventory is sold...or we come to our senses...whichever is first...the sale will end.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

Am I the only person that wishes Valentine's Day never fell on a Monday?

In full disclosure...I am NOT in the dog house. I kept my wife (apparently) quite happy with a hand full of gas station roses. It's the thought that counts and and least I thought of it.

But Monday's just are not condusive to feeling romantic in my opinion.

My bone headed stunt for today? I shipped a phone order for B-L Pellets to the wrong place.

One of our regular online custumers called up last week to order a pail (actually to make sure she had not already ordered a pail). No problem I pulled up her address and confirmed it with her and the B-L went out on the very next truck...to the wrong person. We had two customers with the same name and I wasn't paying attention when I ran the label and shipped it to the wrong one. It wasn't even the same state.

The intended recipient called today to check on her order. It took me about 20 seconds to figure out I had screwed up.

Now, on a good day I would have had the opportunity to blame someone else. Maybe even give them a good butt-chewing. But no such luck. All me...All mine. I don't think another person touched the order from the time it was taken until it went on the truck.

Us humans are so inefficient.

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/12/2010

2011-02-12T04:04:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday.

It's early.

The coffee has NOT kicked in.

I have to keep this one simple.

Gallon pump dispensers are marked down to a buck a piece for the weekend. If you feed liquid vitamins you need one or two.

I am going back to my coffee now.

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/11/2010

2011-02-11T04:27:00.000-08:00

We just stocked up on Raplast so we figured there would be no better time to offer it as our Deal of the Day.

RapLast is a unique product which uses natural ingredients to prevent horses from chewing on wraps, blankets, wood, manes and tails, and more. There's one word to describe it: Effective! This is because RapLast works in three ways; by sight, smell, and taste. A small amount goes a long way in keeping your valuables safe. Try RapLast and see how you will save.

The 8 ounce size with sprayer is on sale today for $9.50!

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/10/2010

2011-02-10T05:01:00.000-08:00

Simple one today: Hooflex Thrush Remedy. Save $3. Nuff said.

Oh and how about a Reinsman No Pinch Ring Snaffle Bit for $27.00. Beat that!

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/09/2010

2011-02-09T04:27:00.000-08:00

Vetericyn...there...I said it! We are marking down our BEST SELLING wound treatment for 24 (or so) hours. This stuff is moving off the shelves at record pace already. Then why put it on sale? Just hoping to create a little "buzz" about our deal of the day.

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/08/2010

2011-02-08T04:10:00.000-08:00

Today our DEAL OF THE DAY IS Furazone Ointment.

Contains 0.2% Nitrofurazone in a water-soluble base

For use on horses, dogs and cats

Use furazone to prevent and treat surface bacterial infections of wounds, burns and cutaneous ulcers

We are knocking $2 off per jar TODAY ONLY!

And we are adding a new feature to our deal of the day. Every weekday (that we get around to it) we are going to offer some random Reinsman Bit at a ridiculously low price.

Today that bit is the #102 Medium Ring Snaffle Bit. Its a popular one with a 3/8" smooth, sweet iron mouth. One of the nicest all around ring snaffles and we don't think you will find it ANYWHERE cheaper than $21.00.

Complete Listing of Absorbine/WF Young Products Available at KyHorse.com

2011-02-06T14:30:00.000-08:00

GROW COLT ON SALE THIS MONTH

2011-02-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a special purchase, we can offer Grow Colt for $16.00 on 3lb pails the rest of this month.

Grow Colt is a special supplement just for growing foals.

It supplies 27 vitamin and mineral nutrients needed for proper growth and development
It includes calcium and phosphorus for proper bone development and energy delivery
It also contains Biotin

Enter the Mane 'n Tail Ireland Equestrian Vacation Sweepstakes

2011-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

You know what makes me mad?

Salesmen.

More exactly, salesmen who don't do their job. Now you may think that a salesman's job is to sell me stuff. I like to think that in the case of the type of salesman that I deal with, their job is to give me the best tools and information available to allow ME to sell their products.

Case in point: Mane 'N Tail. We are running a sale this month on Mane N' Tail Conditioner and Mane N' Tail Shampoo. One of distributors is giving us a good price and we are passing on the savings. No big deal.

I decided to make a sign for our horse supply store to promote the sale. So I went to the Straight Arrow web site to see if they had any good pictures or logos I could use. First thing I find? The Mane 'n Tail Ireland Equestrian Vacation Sweepstakes link.

Just about two weeks ago I was at a trade show hosted by one of our Mane 'N Tail distributors. I spoke to my distributor salesman PLUS the manufacturer reps. Not a single one bothered to mention the sweepstakes. Admittedly, the sweepstakes has nothing to do with me BUT darnit...it IS relevant to the product.

Do I ask too much?

Absorbine WF Young Prices On the Rise

2011-02-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

It's the first of the year and we all know what that means...

Price increases.

We got our new WF Young/Absorbine pricing for the year a couple of weeks back and nearly every product they make is on the rise. I haven't been through the entire list yet, but Absorbine Liniment and Absorbine Liniment Gel have already gone up and it looks like Antiphlogistine and Showsheen are right behind them.

We are sharpening our pencil, but we can't absorb it all. We will be as gentle as we can.

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/04/2010

2011-02-04T03:00:00.000-08:00

Although still good, our Neighlox sales are down from what they used to be. We think it is because of the three seperate price increases the consumer has had to endure over the past couple of year. The stuff is NOT cheap. With the economy where it has been we suspect that Neigh-Lox is one of the "luxuries" that a lot of horse owners decided they would have to do without.

Well, we sort of made a special purchase. BUT because the purchase was for a limited quantity, we cannot really just lower the price...if we sell more than we bought...well...we will "lose our a** as they say. This horse supply is hard enough to make any money on with our flat rate shipping.

So, from today through Sunday, we are offering a special price on every order of 2 pails. We decided to limit the sale to orders of 2 pails (no quantity limit...you just have to buy them in two's and we will take our chances) as we can ship two at a time and not take such a beating on shipping.

So buy 2 pails...SAVE $20! Simple enough?

So How's That Winter Working Out For You?

2011-02-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Geez...as if things weren't tough enough, we have had to deal with one winter storm after another this year.

We dodged the bullet on this last one. It's cold as heck, but the roads are clear. I've not even plugged my stock tank heaters back in.

But when a winter storm affects THIRTY states, it affects us in the horse supply business. Many of our suppliers have been hobbled badly. I just got off the phone with Weaver Leather where the vast majority of our horse tack comes from and they just got their power back on over night. They still weren't sure if they would be able to get us any stock out today because they had not hear if the frieight trucks would be on the road.

Personally, we can't compare the inconvenience of a late shipment or two to what they have gotten from Texas to the Northeast. So while we must apologize if a few headstalls take a couple of extra days to reach their destination it beats the heck out of shoveling a foot of snow.

Stay warm everyone.

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/03/2010

2011-02-03T03:10:00.000-08:00

Since 1938, Shapley's Original M-T-G has been an effective, time proven remedy for dermatitis problems. Highly recommended by veterinarians for a variety of skin conditions, Original M-T-G is a single source solution for fungus, rain rot, scratches, mud fever, greasy heel, girth itch, dandruff, itchy skin, and tail rubbing.

This amazing horse supply does not require washing or water for application, making it ideal for cold weather use. Original M-T-G is also excellent as a leave-in conditioner/detangler for promoting mane and tail growth. Use on damaged, chewed-off tails for rapid hair growth, and on long tails to enhance fullness, condition, and retain length.

With just one application it will detangle, condition, and dissolve dandruff, soothing irritated skin. As a mane and tail lengthener, the combination of ingredients in Original M-T-G provides the optimal environment for maximum growth. When used regularly, users report mane and tail growth of up to 3ö per month!! Original M-T-G is a must for every horse owner looking for dermatitis treatment and mane/tail conditioning and growth.

Today...it's our DEAL OF THE DAY at $12.00 per quart.An oil-based product that balances a drying and healing action with moisturizers, Original M-T-G keeps the skin conditioned, creating a barrier against the elements. Shapley's Original M-T-G offers quick relief and visible hair growth in 3-5 days and is ideal for use on skin where winter blankets have rubbed hair off.

Deworming Schedule

2011-02-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

I just read one of those Q&A type columns over at the Horse.com. Someone asked if under their circumstances (one horse...little travel) they should cut back on their horse deworming schedule (every two months). Apparently the horse's fecal count came out clean so their vet recommended cutting back.

My thought was "that 0 fecal count is BECAUSE you worm regularly". But the vet writing the column disagreed with me. He said they could cut back to twice a year or LESS.

I guess I am on the wrong side of this fence. Of course the situation of owning only one horse won't even register in my mind. The last time we only had one horse on the farm I was like 7 years old. One horse had died from old age. My pony was old, but still going strong. My next cowpony was still a year or two in the future.

But ever since that time we have had somewhere between 2 and 20 horses wandering around, eating, pooping, tearing up fences, and only occasionally being truly useful. I don't ride as often as I used to, but I will have at least a field full of the pasture rats when I die for sure.

Now I am not advocating using Equimax or Zimecterin Gold every month or two mind you. It just seems to me, that with ivermectin paste being so cheap that it is safer to keep a horse "cleaned out" than risk a worm infection.

Am I behind the times?

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/02/2010

2011-02-02T03:00:00.001-08:00

As the snow inevitably melts and the rains set in, thrush often follows right along.

I've been darn lucky on my own farm. In the past 30 or so years I may have had 6 instances of it (by the grace of God...I HATE cleaning stalls and it shows). I think I still have my original bottle of Kopertox laying around somewhere.

However, the fact that so many companies keep adding thrush treatments to their product lines (sometimes just applying multiple labels to the same stuff to take advantage of brand recognition) seems to indicate that my run of good luck is the exception and not the rule.

So here is your DEAL OF THE DAY. Healtox is $9.95 a bottle ($3.00 off) TODAY ONLY.

Where is everybody?

2011-02-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

We have been a little slow at the tack shop. Well that is not 100% true. We have been a little slow in the horse supplies department. Our leather halters have been slamming us. We aren't as far behind in there as we were but we definitely saw a big spike for January.

For our local customers, we have been doing some rearranging of displays. Our horse tack room stays in various levels of disarray so we have added some racks and moved some items around to make room for our usual spring inventory expansion. Now if people will stop picking things up and moving them...

We are (still) running (farther) behind (than usual) on our Reinsman Bit and Reinsman Saddle Pad lines. Our horse bit inventory is at its highest level ever, but we still keep running out of things. I have six Jim Warner Hackamores on order right now and THREE of them sold yesterday. At this rate I will be out before I have them back in stock.

DEAL OF THE DAY FOR 02/01/2010

2011-02-01T04:20:00.000-08:00

Today's deal of the day is on Absorbine Liniment Gel Travel Size.

When this new size of the product came out we let a salesman convince us that it was just what the "human user" wanted. While we tend NOT to openly recommend any horse supply for (off-label) human use, we know good and well that probably 90% of our liniment sales go that direction. However, it seems that the average human is not adverse to popping for the 12 ounce size as those sales have been pretty steady...while the travel size has pretty much just taken up shelf space.

So...the deal is...$3.00 each TODAY ONLY and WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!