Editorial
GETTING OUT OF DEBT, NOT OUT OF
BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is
JNB’s first news letter! It’s been a long time
coming, in fact we are only one year away from celebrating our 25th
anniversary in Sept., 2008.
JNB main goals!
The
main objective has always been to create a way for people and
horses to be happy, yet it’s been a long, long road -because I
wanted to stay within these parameters: (1) I feel that when
you opt to do something as a community service, it should be
self-supporting, not asking for donations; (2) I wanted to
save throw-a-way horses (animals that are mentally and physically
over-used from show careers and previous uneducated owners).
Most of the horses I have came from auctions where the meat buyers
lurk; (3) I’ve tried to introduce the public to a safe, very
fun and educational first ride/exposure to a horse; (4) I
especially want to help change the bad impressions /experiences
people have had within the horse industry (riding, owning,
showing, housing, and feeding, etc.); (5) I have also tried
to keep this association with horses as affordable as possible,
however the battle has taken its toll.
Increased cost
A bag of grain has reached over $10.00 per 50lb bag, and it’s now
over $12.50 for a bale of hay (does the word Ethanol ring a
bell?). I find it interesting that people will pay CPA’s and
Lawyers $150.00 to $300.00 per hour but think $50.00 an hour for
horseback riding with guides, sales taxes, and forest fees
included is overpriced! Maybe that’s why this farm in the
whole time I have operated it has had NO PROFITS TO SHOW BUSINESS
PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE BEEN SO HARD AT WORK!!!!!
I want all people in the community to not let this type of
operation disappear…Horses have multiple ways to support the
growth of a healthy community. All-in-all it’s been a tall order
for a socially challenged person like me, but for all my faults I
wouldn’t change how horses have benefited me, and the over 10,000
we’ve serviced. Perhaps you feel this way too.
Past history
We have been in the Lady Lake/Central Florida area since 1992,
even though I haven’t kept in touch with all the folks who have
tried our services over the past 15 years (remember, I‘m socially
inept). I would like to have you all stop by during the
anniversary event I would like to plan for next year.
Perhaps you would like to help plan or participate in it???
I would really love to have you do so.
Down-sizing the
operation
We may have to down-size, but that will never affect anybody who
has ride tickets. You may rest assured they would always be
honored (Please keep phone #’s and address CURRENT), even if I
passed away my family would try to take care of the Tickets.
I have not had success with employees (guess I just do better with
horses), so I’ve changed to trying to develop independent
contractors who can run some or all of this type of business.
If a career in horses, and community service is interesting to
you, I will keep as available to you as I can (you provide the
persistence). Our volunteer program sure could use with skilled
fulltime leader-counselor type people - the amount of children and
adults needing this program is overwhelming. We are only
open from 8 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon, which leaves
the whole afternoon and evening free. These shorter hours
also keeps the horses liking their jobs since we service people
365 days of the year.
New homes for
16 JNB Horses
Because the desire to keep horses in progressive type homes has
always been important, this year I have given most of the 16
horses that need special care away to people whose new owners were
offered unlimited lessons while getting to know their horse.
It was very hot, and hard to learn so much in such a short time
for the new owners, but I think they did well (I’ve been studying
for 35 years…Has it really been that long???). This has led
to my wanting to start some new programs…as I would like to
develop top notch Trail Guides and Horse Owners. To do this
I will offer unlimited lessons on these topics: (A)
Learning to read horse behavior and how to influence it with the
best current available techniques; (B) Learning to use
equipment with practiced precision; (C) Gaining
knowledge of the local Flora and Fauna (this topic is the most
extensive, but is so necessary to all our lives). (D)
Learning to handle every horse that is at the farm, under saddle,
riding alone and in groups. (E) Learning to train
others who know less than you to make the world a better place.
The fee of only $20.00/day that you come, would be used to offset
the high cost of horse keeping for this program.
We need your
help
We also want to establish a barter system with those who have
services that we can use at the farm, in exchange for riding,
training, or ride tickets that can be used as gifts to family and
friends. Salespeople who can promote our sponsorship
program, where sponsors receive ride tickets and whose businesses
are listed on our web site for a year, are very much needed, as
are remodeling/handyman services, mowing/gardening/landscaping
services, and computer/printer upkeep services, All would
all be very helpful in keeping our horse rescue/people education
operation going strong. The bottom line is, no matter what
you are very good at, we probably need your services!!
Please call us after 2pm till 11pm and I will be glad to hear from
you!!!
I know this, my first
editorial, is a little long and rambling, but there is so much I
want to impart to you. Next time I promise to try to make it
shorter.
M. Miller
