1. Plan Ahead – If you are planning to make any type of project happen in the next year or so, expect that there are going to be some delays sourcing the products that you need. Give yourself sufficient time to get these projects done. This includes fencing, By Lisa Kiley | https://www.cashmans.com/ stalls, round pens and pretty much everything else that involves Patience is something that we work hard to instill in our equine steel, aluminum, or wood. Before you make an arbitrary date to companions. Any horse that has learned the valuable lesson of bring home a new horse or move horses from boarding to home, patience is a much better animal to be around. It may be learning get a realistic idea of how long you may have to wait to get to stand still and wait at a horse trailer, in a stall, or just standing materials to make it happen. while under saddle and waiting for the next cue. However, it's 2. Think Creatively – If you go into the process with an open not just our horses that need to practice patience, especially attitude, you may be able to think creatively about the products with the log jam that is the supply chain these days. you need and make some changes to your plan. This usually As a society, we have been conditioned to immediate satisfacmeans shedding the idea of wanting something 'just so'. tion. You could order something and have it the next day, have Instead, see if there are other similar products that would work. dinner delivered within a few minutes, or even your groceries For example, 12' gates are the most popular size, but if you are delivered within a few hours. This type of ‘get it now’ service able to go larger or smaller, there may be more inventory availisn’t happening right now. Even though we can see a light at the able for you to choose from. Similarly, getting a step up/down in end of the tunnel with many things re-opening and restrictions quality/weight could give you access to more product. Just being lifted, there are still fulfillment issues that will be with us make sure any materials that you use are safe for your animals. for awhile. Unfortunately, this is causing some people to react as 3. Get on a Waiting List – If the items aren't available now, ask if if they are a horse that has never been taught to stand tied. you can get on a waiting list so that you can be contacted when the product is back in stock. If possible, prepay or put a deposit Fortunately, things won’t be like this forever, but it may cause down on items to secure them. Just be aware that often retailers some temporary struggle and inconvenience in the here and are not given hard and fast dates as to when product will arrive, now. So, what exactly is driving the issues in availability of proso be prepared to be flexible even if you are given a tentative duct? There are several things at play, not just a simple issue to date of arrival. Retailers are in the business of selling, so they solve. There are a lot of nuances that are converging to make this aren't making you wait on purpose, they want to get you the time difficult obtaining materials and keeping supplies in stock. items you need. Below are just a few of the issues the industry is facing: 4. Support Local – Just as during the thick of the pandemic, it Materials Shortage – Straight from the source, materials are was really rough for businesses to keep going with all the unhard to come by. This means that if something you need isn't at certainty swirling about. With frequently changing rules, the your regular store, it's not that it hasn't been ordered, it's typicdesire to keep both customers and staff healthy, and trying to ally because there is an issue getting the raw materials to make survive without going under, it's been a challenging time. Local the product. A product often goes through many stages before it businesses count on loyal customers that know they get more ends up on the shelf at your local retailer and currently, it's than just a product from their store. It's about developing a relagetting that process to move efficiently now (if at all) that is tionship, offering value, knowledge and products that you can currently creating a problem. trust for your horses. Don't let that commitment ware off just Work Force Shortages – The pandemic put a stop to normalcy because they may not have what you need at the moment. in a lot of ways, but one of the most significant was with work. 5. Be Kind – If a store doesn't have the product that you need, People were affected in a lot of different ways from losing their getting upset about it isn't going to fix the issue. Most retailers jobs, working from home, experiencing lengthy quarantines or don't manufacture their own products so they are at the mercy of worst of all, becoming ill. This loss in workflow negatively long delays in getting products too, and it can be hard to predict impacts production efforts and availability of product. Even as what people want and need when they have to put orders in businesses are opening and production is getting back on track, months in advance. As I mentioned before, they want to help there is a significant back up that will slow everything down. you get what you need for your horse and they aren't purposely Increasing Prices – In addition to the lack of available products, trying to make your life difficult by not having what you want. price increases are inevitable. As the economy gears back up, Trying to maintain a good attitude and being understanding things may stabilize, but from the local feed store, fencing comwhen you can't get what you want right away is really helpful. pany or anywhere you get horse related products, there are Have a little patience and faith, things will get better eventually. going to be increases. For instance, shavings are often a by Lisa Kiley is a lifelong horse enthusiast product of wood used for other products, such as home building. who has worked in the equine industry If home building slows because of material shortages and and shown horses for many years and is increased cost, the amount of available shavings will decrease, a proud member of the Cashman’s and the cost will increase. Horse Equipment Team in Delaware, OH. So, what can be done if you need materials or if you are planning Visit Cashman’s online at: LISA and COTTON a project in your barn or on your property? https://www.cashmans.com/ JULY 2021 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2021 (54) WWW.SADDLEUPMAG.COM
Patience is a Virtue for You and Your Horse
