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Horse Blanket caters to equestrians photo by Drew Fleming By Jill Briskey CENTRAL POINT � Like a spoke on a wagon wheel, the lives of Keith and Lisa Brostad have come full circle. Twenty-one years ago, while living in the Rogue Valley, the couple met, fell "head over heels" in love and married. That same year, the Brostads purchased a horse from Bruce and Ellen Weatherton, owners of the local saddle and tack store, The Horse Blanket. Business: The Horse Blanket Service: Saddle and tack store, laundry and repair Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: 420 E. Pine St., Central Point Phone: 664-4644 Twenty-one years and four states later, the Brostads � still very much in love with each other and their horses � decided to settle down in Central Point. This time, instead of buying a horse, they bought the store. "It�s sort of interesting how things come around," Lisa Brostad said. "We were tired of living on the road. This is all we know. Horses, horse equipment. So we decided to do it." Prior to their purchase, the couple worked as wholesale representatives for various horse-equipment retailers. It was a career that meant long hours on the road, Keith Brostad said. "The cost of traveling was getting out of hand," he said. "We�ve seen a lot of good stores and bad stores. When we decided to buy, we knew what store was the best." Just like the old days, The Horse Blanket still features every equine item imaginable. WIth horse care items, saddles and tack, rope, bits, blankets and show equipment, there�s very little you can�t find, Keith Brostad adds. New features include horse care and informational books and a showcase of silver jewelry. For a small fee, the business now allows customers to sell certain horse products on consignment. When The Horse Blanket first opened, it served as a laundry facility for horse blankets, pads and hoods. That, along with repair, is still one of the main functions of the business, Keith Brostad said. The couple purchased the store in January when the Weathertons decided to retire, Brostad said. The only changes the couple has planned are cosmetic. "My wife wants to make the inside shine," he adds. "Adding track lighting, a new coat of paint, maybe something to the windows." Lisa Brostad, who has been involved in the world of horses since she was 5, has participated in almost every category equine event. "Except roping. I didn�t want to lose my fingers," she jokes. From serving on the Jackson County Sheriff�s Posse in the 1980s to quarterhorses, paints, jumpers, gaming, mountain riding and Arabians, the Brostads� interest has just lately turned toward miniature horses. The couple now owns four. "People ask, what do you know about horses? You don�t want to sound egotistical, but on the other hand, we�ve been doing this forever," she said. The couple, along with their three small schipperkes who roam the business, say they are in for the long haul. "By far, this area has so many wonderful qualities," Lisa Brostad said. "Even though we�re putting in long hours, it�s for us and we enjoy doing it." For Keith Brostad, his love of the job comes with helping out new, inexperienced customers and learning from the "old-timers" who drop by to visit. "We get the whole range of customers. We really enjoy helping people along," he said. "With this job, there�s the chance to learn something new every day." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.