Over 15,000 Equestrians can't be wrong

When I started this app, I originally just wrote it for myself to manage my barn and horses. After about a dozen of my new horse friends asked me if they could use it, I had to rewrite it so that it would be intuitive for others to use. I thought for sure maybe 500 people "might" find it in the app stores, but was blown away when over 3,500 found it. After a year and a half, over 15,000 equestrians have installed it and have added over 17,500 horses into it! Along with over 150 camels, but that is another story...

I'm just blown away and I feel good about helping equestrians around the world to care and enjoy their horses more. I've received hundreds of emails saying thank you for the app along with hundreds more asking for more features. I've learned so much of professional horsemen and women in many countries on how they care for and track certain events around their equestrian lifestyle. This has resulted in my app growing and growing into what I like to call it the "Microsoft Office for the Equestrian World".

As part of the registration process, I ask a question if you are an equine business. Because of this, I've noticed that over 4,500 members have noted that they are an equine business and this is a great opportunity in providing even more value into the app. What do you do when you have such a large community focused on a very important part of their lifestyle? I've just begun the development of building out the Marketplace. All these businesses will be able to promote their businesses within the app. Think of it like Google Maps, but just for equestrians. You see, it is very hard for equine businesses to market their businesses to an exact audience and I've heard this time and time again from my members. The Equestrian App gives them this marketplace. It's free to post your business of course, but for a small yearly subscription fee, you'll have an enhanced listing.

One f my favorite comments is, "I've been using different horse management apps over 20 years and NONE have ever done everything you have done." I love that comment. I think that is the case it because I've been in the software and analytics business for over 25 years working for some of the best companies and executives to learn from. I've listened and I brought all these ideas we've become use to directly to a segment of the industry that has been ignored. I even added achievements within the app so that the more you use it the more badges you collect.

Because the last company I owned was focused on Analytics, I tend to look at things through my data eye. The Equestrian App is used in over 120 countries around the world. I've instrumented the app so that I can analyze usage and determine what features are not being used so that I can make them better or retire them. I can see what people are using more and try to make it better and faster for them so they can just focus on what they want to do, more time in the saddle. Data is so important.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, it's good for SEO. :o) BUT, you never know where an opportunity might come from if you don't look up once and a while. With all the struggles going on in our economies right now, it is also a great time to reflect on what is important and really listen to others on what is needed when our businesses are forced to change and adjust to the new normal.

Enjoy the Ride - Patrick