| When the Bad Economy is a Good Thing |
March 19, 2010
by Cindy Foley
|
My mailbox is swamped with sales catalogs, flyers, and e-mail notices about closeouts and reduced prices on horse stuff. It’s actually incredible to be receiving these notices as the busy-season approaches. I’ve even seen deals on fly wear and fly spray.
As anyone who knows me is aware, I’m a very frugal shopper (OK, yes, I’m cheap). I will wait and wait . . . and wait longer, then pounce when the price becomes right. The only things that don’t fall under this strategy are perishable must-haves, like feed or supplements. I’ll even pick up an extra helmet if the price is right because it isn’t going to ruin sitting in my closet for a year or so (eventually everything does dry rot, of course). But, otherwise, if there’s a nice top or a great price on my favorite half-chaps, I’m going to add it to the cart.
On top of that, I regularly peruse the aisles in my favorite local tack shop (I’m on my way there, actually, once I finish writing this). I’ve purchased premium-brand products at great discounts, just by waiting. Admittedly, sometimes I have to sacrifice color, but otherwise, it works. And, I figure, I’m helping the tack-shop clear out its old stock, so it can stay up-to-date, refreshed, and in business (one of my many pet peeves is a tack shop that has nothing but outdated supplies).
I’m also thrilled to see that shipping costs are going down at a number of catalog/Internet sites. You can Google for coupon codes on equestrian sites, just like you can L.L. Bean or Eddie Bauer. It takes time, though, as there aren’t a lot of them. An easier choice is to frequent the “one-price” shipping sites the most often. I strongly feel that if I’m spending more money (which should equal more profit for them) that I should get something in return.
It kills me to purchase something at $75 that weighs six ounces and can fit in a shipping envelope and be forced to pay a premium price to ship it, just because they’ve listed their shipping rates by purchase total instead of weight. Isn’t it time, in this day and age with ultra-computerization, to actually pay based on the weight of your purchase and the size of box required? These one-fee-shipping sites make me smile (and make me add things on to my order).
Although I realize not all of us are secure in our employment yet, times are improving. And the way to help that economy and your own personal economic state is to take advantage of the deals out there, especially the horse-related ones (why is it that if something says “horse” the price automatically doubles?). You’ll save money, and you’ll keep those businesses we need up and running. Plus, it’s an awful lot of fun.
|
|
|
| It Makes You Think About Headgear |
March 12, 2010
by Cindy Foley
|
My mind has been on Courtney King-Dye, the Olympic-level
dressage rider who was injured when the horse she was riding took a misstep
during a leg yield and tipped backward on her. That was on March 5. As I write
this (March 9), she is still in a coma, and the doctors don’t know how long it
will be before she awakens. She’s 32 years old, vivacious and extremely
talented.
I saw Courtney at a seminar last fall, and I was extremely
impressed. It wasn’t just her riding ability. It was her enthusiasm, humble
attitude and the way she explained what she was doing. She was in the seminar
with two jumper superstars (Ian Millar and Anne Kursinski), and Courtney
literally stole the show.
Ironically, one of the things she mentioned was that she
routinely wears a helmet, and she would like to see the dressage world change
from top hats at the upper levels to allowing safety helmets in competition.
Why she didn’t have a helmet on
when she fell, in a schooling ring, I don’t know. But we’ve all made that same
mistake at one time or another, thinking that this one short ride won’t make a
difference.
Equestrians have come a long ways in protective headgear over
the last two decades, but we have a lot farther to go. We can’t rest on this
issue until every person who mounts up on a horse wears a helmet, whether
they’re doing reining, roping, trail riding or jumping. Manufacturers of helmets
are working to answer the call with designs that don’t look anything like the
traditional black velvet hunt cap, if you don’t want it to. They’re lightweight,
airy and nicely contoured. Troxel, one of several outstanding helmet
manufacturers, has an amazing website to help you choose just the right design
for your discipline and needs (www.troxelhelmets.com and go to “helmet
advisor). Once you get used to a proper-fitted helmet, you won’t mind it as
much.
The nearest analogy I can think of—at least for those my age
and older—is when the seat-belt law became nationwide. We hated them. But now we
don’t think about it anymore, do we? We just buckle up. And, like helmets, seat belts have
become much more comfortable since those early days.
This is a personal thing, so don’t try to change everyone you
see. But, if you don’t routinely wear a helmet, think about yourself and your
family, and head on down to the tack store to make one very important purchase.
Don’t take a chance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technorati
Stumble It!
