Kiley, Lisa: Materials & Supplies

Patience is a Virtue for You and Your Horse

By Lisa Kiley | https://www.cashmans.com/ Patience is something that we work hard to instill in our equine companions. Any horse that has learned the valuable lesson of patience is a much better animal to be around. It may be learning to stand still and wait at a horse trailer, in a stall, or just standing while under saddle and waiting for the next cue. However, it's not just our horses that need to practice patience, especially with the log jam that is the supply chain these days. As a society, we have been conditioned to immediate satisfaction. You could order something and have it the next day, have dinner delivered within a few minutes, or even your groceries delivered within a few hours. This type of ‘get it now’ service isn’t happening right now. Even though we can see a light at the end of the tunnel with many things re-opening and restrictions being lifted, there are still fulfillment issues that will be with us for awhile. Unfortunately, this is causing some people to react as if they are a horse that has never been taught to stand tied. Fortunately, things won’t be like this forever, but it may cause some temporary struggle and inconvenience in the here and now. So, what exactly is driving the issues in availability of product? There are several things at play, not just a simple issue to solve. There are a lot of nuances that are converging to make this time difficult obtaining materials and keeping supplies in stock.

Below are just a few of the issues the industry is facing:

Materials Shortage – Straight from the source, materials are hard to come by. This means that if something you need isn't at your regular store, it's not that it hasn't been ordered, it's typically because there is an issue getting the raw materials to make the product. A product often goes through many stages before it ends up on the shelf at your local retailer and currently, it's getting that process to move efficiently now (if at all) that is currently creating a problem. Work Force Shortages – The pandemic put a stop to normalcy in a lot of ways, but one of the most significant was with work. People were affected in a lot of different ways from losing their jobs, working from home, experiencing lengthy quarantines or worst of all, becoming ill. This loss in workflow negatively impacts production efforts and availability of product. Even as businesses are opening and production is getting back on track, there is a significant back up that will slow everything down. Increasing Prices – In addition to the lack of available products, price increases are inevitable. As the economy gears back up, things may stabilize, but from the local feed store, fencing company or anywhere you get horse related products, there are going to be increases. For instance, shavings are often a by product of wood used for other products, such as home building. If home building slows because of material shortages and increased cost, the amount of available shavings will decrease, and the cost will increase. So, what can be done if you need materials or if you are planning a project in your barn or on your property? 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, stalls, round pens and pretty much everything else that involves steel, aluminum, or wood. Before you make an arbitrary date to bring home a new horse or move horses from boarding to home, get a realistic idea of how long you may have to wait to get materials to make it happen. 2. Think Creatively – If you go into the process with an open attitude, you may be able to think creatively about the products you need and make some changes to your plan. This usually means shedding the idea of wanting something 'just so' . Instead, see if there are other similar products that would work. For example, 12' gates are the most popular size, but if you are able to go larger or smaller, there may be more inventory available for you to choose from. Similarly, getting a step up/down in quality/weight could give you access to more product. Just make sure any materials that you use are safe for your animals. 3. Get on a Waiting List – If the items aren't available now, ask if 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 down on items to secure them. Just be aware that often retailers are not given hard and fast dates as to when product will arrive, so be prepared to be flexible even if you are given a tentative date of arrival. Retailers are in the business of selling, so they aren't making you wait on purpose, they want to get you the items you need. 4. Support Local – Just as during the thick of the pandemic, it was really rough for businesses to keep going with all the uncertainty swirling about. With frequently changing rules, the desire to keep both customers and staff healthy, and trying to survive without going under, it's been a challenging time. Local businesses count on loyal customers that know they get more than just a product from their store. It's about developing a relationship, offering value, knowledge and products that you can trust for your horses. Don't let that commitment ware off just because they may not have what you need at the moment. 5. Be Kind – If a store doesn't have the product that you need, getting upset about it isn't going to fix the issue. Most retailers don't manufacture their own products so they are at the mercy of long delays in getting products too, and it can be hard to predict what people want and need when they have to put orders in months in advance. As I mentioned before, they want to help you get what you need for your horse and they aren't purposely trying to make your life difficult by not having what you want. Trying to maintain a good attitude and being understanding when you can't get what you want right away is really helpful. Have a little patience and faith, things will get better eventually.

Lisa Kiley is a lifelong horse enthusiast who has worked in the equine industry and shown horses for many years and is a proud member of the Cashman’s Horse Equipment Team in Delaware, OH. Visit Cashman’s online at: https://www.cashmans.com/

LISA and COTTON