Monday, May 18, 2015

What's in a name? Catskill Horse Magazine reaches beyond......

When Catskill Horse started out three years ago in 2012,  the mission was to provide a neighborhood community resource for everything equestrian in the Catskill Mountain region and beyond.

It appears the beyond has bloomed and now we find ourselves in a dilemma. Should we change the name to encompass our much wider than expected audience or should we maintain our birthright?

I have lived in the Catskills since 1998 on a full time basis. Yes, originally the plan was to have a 2nd farm in addition to our Dutchess County home, but it became almost immediately apparent that we wanted to be a part of the full time Catskillian community. Clean mountain air and water, wide open spaces, miles and miles of trails and room to grow our own organic hay for our horses and breeding program ~ what was not to like? O.K. well finding a good vet continues to be a source of frustration or a commercial horse transportation company but apart from that.



When we arrived the equestrian community was 'splintered' at best. There was no common source to locate shows or events. No place to find the services we needed, whether that was farriers, vets, tack shops or snow tires. There seemed quite a divide between English and Western riders. Hence the notion to start a community magazine.

Catskill Horse advertisers are reaching over 50,000 unique visitors by being a support part of our magazine and these visitors come from across the nation and even from abroad.And all this has been achieved by a small but " Merry Band at the Catskill Horse " comprised of horse folks from various walks of life who seek to help other horse owners.

So we toy with the notions - new trademark for " Catskill Horse and Beyond ", new T's and products and logo? Rename it altogether and lose the brand we have created?

For Catskill Horse regardless of what it is called, we will continue to keenly service our readership in the counties of Upstate New York, Eastern New England  and Northern PA as a primary goal.

Have an idea to address the issue? A new name idea or an add on to the existing one? All ideas welcome!!!