BarnBiz n’ Bits

The December issue of “Barn Biz-N-Bits” is a collection of Christmas cheer filled with a bit of cinnamon for spice and the magic that comes only this time of year!

The holiday season offers us a special opportunity to extend our personal thanks to friends, colleagues and you; our most valued customers. For it is people like you who make our business such a pleasure all year long. Your projects are a source of great pride for FCP. With customers like you, we find going to work each day a rewarding experience.

“From Our Barn to Yours”

FCP wishes you a holiday season
Filled with happiness and joy,
Followed by a most wonderful New Year!

“Merry Christmas”

From FCP

FCP would like to express our thanks to the following individuals for their contributions to this edition of “Barn Biz-N-Bits”.

Rusty Calhaun: Author ~ “The Night the Animals Talked”
June Evers: Author ~ “The Original Book of Horse Treats”
KellyBelle: Author ~ “The Filly’s New Shoes”
Grandma Lola’s Skillet Cookie Recipe
Hobby Horse Clothing Company
Ivey Ranch Park Association

Simple Things You Can Do to Personalize Your Barn!

Not everyone can afford the cost of a new barn, but you can never go wrong when you cosmetically upgrade the interior and exterior of the structure. Investing in the upkeep of your barn not only improves its appearance, but the overall ambiance of your property.  It can be cost efficient, simple, and quick to do! Believe it or not, there are many things you can do on your own without the help of a professional.

First things first, you need to consider what type of upgrades your barn could use. This can range from landscaping to a new paint job to a new roof. You may want to start one project and then move on to others as time, money, and energy allow!

Take a walk around your barnyard and imagine what it would look like if you made a few minor changes. Make yourself a list in the order you feel a repair or change is needed. These projects can be a lot of fun for you and your family.

There are many things you can do to make your barn more appealing without spending thousands of dollars. To get you started, BarnBiz n’ Bits has a few ideas to help inspire the creative craftsman in you!

Exterior

Doors & Windows
Frame doors and windows for a finished look. Visit your local home center for a variety of trim and molding ideas available in both wood and vinyl material.

Window Shutters/Gable Loft Doors
Faux or functional, shutters are a low-cost item, pre-painted, easy to install and can change the appearance and style of a plain-looking facade and enhance its charm.

Cupola
Originally designed for venting barns, today’s cupola structures lend elegance to any roof line. To ornament your design, a weathervane can be added for a whimsical touch.

Painting
By simply power washing the exterior you can dramatically improve the appearance of your structure.  Paint fences for a clean new look. Contrasting colors complement doors and shutters for a unique style.

Décor Items
Based on your architecture and motif, there are many manufactured applications that lend character to your theme.

Landscape
Planting colorful flowers and mulching the trees in your barn area can add curbside appeal.  Corbelled shelves with planter boxes under windows are easy to assemble with materials purchased from your local home center. Planters made from brick or railroad ties enhance and frame walkways and entrances.

Interior

Tack Room
From a new coat of paint to the installation of pre-manufactured cabinetry, tack rooms are an equestrian’s “personal” space! A wide variety of accessories for saddle and tack organization can create an inexpensive remodel for any tack room.

Grilled Dividers
Grilled dividers and windows are the perfect solution for bringing light and air into a darkened box stall!

Flooring
From interlocking paver systems and spray-on rubber coatings to stall mats, there are options available for any budget.

Lighting
Install energy-efficient lighting fixtures to add a new glow to dimly lit areas.

Stall Fronts
Unclutter aisles by installing a blanket bar to your horse’s stall door. A singe bridle rack mounted opposite makes for easy storage of halters and leads. Add a name plate to personalize your horse’s home. Stall guards are a wonderful accessory for your horse to view the daily goings-on in your breezeway!

Porches & Arbors
With unlimited choices, porches and arbors create an expressive entrance to any barn.  Ringside viewing is a breeze with your own lattice-covered grandstand!

Want to own the “cutest” barn on the block? Call FCP now to purchase the barn that was on display at the 2009 Equine Affaire.

1-800-807-2276

For Sale: FCP's Display Barn from Equine Affaire

FCP is the official barn manufacturer of the 9th annual Equine Affaire January 29 thru February 1 at the Fairplex in Pomona.

This year’s premiere equestrian gathering offers opportunities to learn, shop and network with horse enthusiasts from a wide variety of disciplines.

Clinics, Seminars & Demonstrations

Plan to attend one of the many world-class educational programs presented by the nation’s leading trainers, coaches and competitors.

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Trade Show

Enjoy shopping in six exhibit halls with the foremost equine related retailers presenting a wide array of products from riding apparel, grooming supplies, gifts, tack, farm equipment and horse trailers!

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Breed Pavilion

Informational exhibits showcase horse breeds with a rotating cast of selected stallions, mares and geldings.  Association representatives perform scheduled demonstrations, spotlights and in-hand presentations throughout the four day event.

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Arabian Horse Association Youth Pavilion

For the horse-crazy kid of all ages the Arabian Horse Youth pavilion displays a Celebrity Horse Showcase and plenty of fun activities for the kids!

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Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race

With the same competition as seen on RFD-TV cheer on your favorite horse and rider team as they contend for cash and prizes in a timed obstacle course!

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For detailed information and event schedules log onto www.equineaffaire.com. We hope you’ll stop by the FCP “Little Red Barn” display for event specials and an enlightening look at our innovations in equine housing.   Be sure to enter the FCP raffle for your chance to win a Freestanding Pasture Shelter!

Experience The Nation’s Premiere Equestrian Gathering

Equine Affaire
Fairplex Pomona
January 29 – February 1, 2009

“I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine”
~ Kurt Vonnegut ~

The August edition of the Barn-Biz-n-Bits newsletter is a compilation of history, lore, education and appreciation for the courageous men and women of the Fire Department.

With the wild land fire fights raging in Northern California, we at FCP wanted to present an informative view point to our readers regarding fire prevention and how you can take pro-active measures to ensure the safety of your livestock and property.

The history of organized fire brigades dates back to Ancient Egypt and Biblical times. The late 1800’s brought a period of great advancement in firefighting. Sophisticated steam engines far too heavy for human hand to pull, gave way to the era of horse drawn apparatus. For some 50 years horse and hound, mans most benevolent companions raced to the scene with speed and accuracy unsurpassed.

As modernization developed, the fate of the fire horse and Dalmatian faded with the use of motorized fire vehicles. Coal had been replaced by gasoline. Dramatic changes have taken place in the industry. Today there’s an art, not to mention a science, to fighting fires.

The adrenaline charged atmosphere of a fire scene could best be described as a battleground in which there is little time to develop a plan. Action must be immediate and precise as precious minutes lost could spell imminent disaster in defeating the opponent.

As average “Joe’s” it’s virtually impossible to imagine much less comprehend the crucial life and death decisions a firefighter must make each time an alarm sounds the call, all at the extreme risk of his or her very own life.

In a profession steeped with a historical sense of tradition we pay homage to those heroic individuals who have taken an oath to serve and protect as today’s firefighters. Your contributions to humanity will forever be marked on the hearts of mankind.

We hope you enjoy this edition as much as we have had in its presentation.

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Riverside County Supervisor Bob Buster and a team of County Officials met with FCP team members to discuss how businesses and the County could work closer together towards the goal of County Improvement. FCP had the distinction of being the first business invited to participate in this type meeting. The initiative led by Supervisor Buster will include meetings with other business leaders throughout Riverside County. The open communication that occurred during the meeting developed many good ideas on initiatives the County and FCP could work on together during the next year.