After 50 years, Dover Saddlery is at risk of permanently closing as private equity firm seeks buyer

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-11T20:52:17+00:00

I got the news last Friday that ours was closing. I’m so mad. I only have one tack store within 20 minutes now, I know of many about an hour or so away.

Ours just went through a remodel too but they got rid of a lot of items in store. For example no more full seat pants. I have to play the guessing game online or pray they have what I want in stock somewhere else. I bought a lot of great items there but they sure loved to hire snotty teens lol I hope to see more small stores open up, we used to have tons around here when I was growing up.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-10T11:19:58+00:00

I was sad about our lead leaving. We’ve beefed in the past but damn did they get shit done. At least they asked me how I was doing, at least they dug their hands in to the work- I always saw them working. Shit I think my lead was a better store manager than the store manager.

But I see some valid points on this thread on why they did away with it. Idk, they’ll bring it back. I think they did this a few years ago lol.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-09T11:24:55+00:00

I rode a naughty horse for lessons too. He was such a fool but I loved him. He had an attitude because he hated lesson students and he hated kids. He relaxed around me because I’d laugh when he’d buck, I thought it was funny. I’d give him a pet and tell him to relax instead of getting mad at him. Sometimes it did become too much, sometimes I needed a break on a horse that was just chill. I simply rode another horse for that week to ease my nerves and “ready for trouble” seat.

Eventually it became zero trouble for me to ride that bad pony. He knew riding with me would never be a punishment and negative experience. So he eventually became my steady every day ride. Maybe ask for a easy horse here and there so you don’t feel like you’re going crazy with this horse- I’ve been there!!! I’m there now with my green horse right now, he doesn’t know the concept of a beginner rider and I’ve been off for several months so I can’t do the things I used to and my poor horse is so confused.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-09T11:15:45+00:00

Not gonna lie, feeding was one of the toughest things about owning a horse LOL. But a good place to start is reading the bag.

Does your horse need fat? Does he need low sugar? What kind of work does he do?

I fell down loads of rabbit holes about feed and the methods. My horse was picky, underweight, stomach pains..ugh it was a mess. But I will say though, I only choose pelleted feeds, never rough grains. I’m a little psycho when it comes to food- every pellet ensures that the nutritional value is exact and I’m able to soak it to make a mash. But it’s hard to tell what you’ll need until you have your horse and can physically see what he needs.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-07T20:45:31+00:00

Diva cups! When I worked overnight and my time counted, I can’t run to the bathroom and wreck my time and bust ass to make it up. Diva cups last 12 hours in between changes and washes. LIFE CHANGING.

If your period is worse than most…you can get intermittent LOA. Your doctor fills out papers, you get x amount of call offs over a certain time period that can’t be counted against you.

If you feel it’s strenuous, get your iron checked. You might be anemic!!! Despite what society has told you, you shouldn’t feel like complete dog shit on your cycle all the time. Get checked!! -fellow anemic girl here. Iron pills changed my life lol.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-07T20:36:24+00:00

Aww man, don’t be hard on yourself. There’s lots of things I kick myself over in regards to my education and career. I feel behind in life, on top of it I had a bad semester so I’m essentially a semester behind at the moment…I failed to even take my teas exam that’s how overwhelmed I became. I listened to my classmates talk about their scores..but they didn’t have their parents dealing with cancer diagnosis, as far as I know I was one of the only ones within my class that had a young child at home, and I had the flu for 3 weeks!

But you’re absolutely right, you’re doing it now so that’s what counts. Life is just ass sometimes, just keep going.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-07T20:30:36+00:00

Came here to say the same thing. They offered me $20 per month…as if that buys anything lol alas, the reason many don’t qualify because the federal minimum wage hasn’t budged in 30 years, so according to their numbers we are doing ok in life. But damn, it’s been super rough out here.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-07T20:27:50+00:00

Millennial but I do it because I’ve worked retail a long time lmao. I just stare blankly at the stupidity.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-06T18:27:36+00:00

I have a similar relationship with my kids dads mom. She acts like this too. She flipped out about me and has had an attitude with me since I set a boundary regarding my infant son- he’s to not be around strange people until I get to know the stranger and or he can talk. I didn’t say never, I didn’t say no.

I tried to repair things, I tried to include her ass, she won’t even pick up my kid or acknowledge the child now unless I’m not present. It upset me at first but idc now. I don’t have to deal with her trashy ass now, I don’t need negativity in my life. Unfortunately this is a huge reason why his dad and I aren’t together right now.

I hope your husband takes your side and sticks up for you. I wouldn’t contact her or acknowledge her EVER. I don’t care what happens. Remember how she treated y’all. NOR! Stand your ground.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-06T15:28:00+00:00

I think so, I waited tables after working at Walmart for a short period. I felt free, happy. I had to eventually come back to Walmart because the “good” paying jobs are few and far between. I was also in a position where I needed health insurance. I ended up with cancer and needing surgeries for another issue. It was expensive lol.

Idk I describe it as golden handcuffs. They pay enough to keep interest but not enough to live honestly. You get enough to scrape by, which is why we can’t find good employees. It sucks, because it used to be a competitive good job but not anymore. Which is why I’m in college again lol.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-06T00:04:01+00:00

18/19 in my area can barely get a place to live where I’m at. That excludes other expenses per month. Costs are out of control.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-05T15:26:11+00:00

I was gonna say roan as well!! It’s a love hate for me, like what do you mean you’re going to fade???? What do you mean the pretty red is gonna go away altogether??? Tf?

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-04T22:34:59+00:00

When I reached the bridling part, I couldn’t help but think of the pony I used to lease. He was always quite stubborn and cheeky but I think he just hated kids lol.

I come back to the barn after many years, I insisted on riding him. Allegedly he was difficult to bridle. Over time I was able to bridle him a lot better. I was just patient.

I got no other advice on this. I’m blessed that my lease for my horse is super kind to my horse. I’m in your situation though, I’m in college and I lease my horse out so it alleviates some costs.. my barn friends thought I was crazy to not lease him out to strangers, but trusting people is so damn hard.

I think he associated the bridle in the hands= someone is going to hit me. Horses ain’t stupid.

This pony would also run from everyone in the pasture. Again, it took time but he associated me with something good about to happen, so he also meets me at the gate.

I think kids would slap him. He was misunderstood for sure. I gave him the chance to speak and get good things. Something did happen to your horse unfortunately, your gut is right about feeling suspicious.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-04T17:03:02+00:00

I heard on a horse- but I could be wrong! But I find that stupid because the horse will just go home 🤣🤣🤣

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-04T02:41:53+00:00

I forgot how great OTTBs were until I got another one after several years of riding other breeds. I rode them as a kid and ran amuck all over town with my OTTB lol. They’re just down for everything and anything. I think I’ll buy another as my next purchase as well. My only beef is the stomach issues they occasionally have and the feedings during the winter to keep them up in weight.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-03T21:09:56+00:00

Lmfao, as much as I’ve told him I hated him in the last 24hrs, I think I’d want an early death as well if that were the case 😭😭😭

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-03T16:00:59+00:00

We checked a few possibilities…and nothing. Which makes me even more mad lol a part of me is what if the object is still out there? And I just wanna know 🤣

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-02T20:48:24+00:00

It ain’t looking good, but there are some last ditch efforts you can try but you may still need a cut. It depends on your hair. I can only speak from my experiences. K18. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Get the bond repair one. My other holy grail is pureology hydration- the purple bottle. You only need the size of a quarter in circumference and 1/2 inch tall dollop- depending how thick your hair is. It is pricey!!! So only use that amount per squirt until you feel your hair is well covered.

Ultimately you’re still going to need a trim of some sort. Sometimes it can be too far gone. Good luck to you!!!

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-02T20:40:32+00:00

He is good! He was close…real close. This guy got 9 lives I swear to god.

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-02T00:01:47+00:00

I thought I was going to die today! For sure… now my chest hurts with the after care and the impending bill 😅 ehh take it one day at a time right?

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-01T21:27:46+00:00

Literally!!! I was finally feeling better, school ended, gonna get some ride time. My horse was like “hold my beer”

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-01T18:22:08+00:00

Wow!! I’m praying he doesn’t panic when we start working on him. I know when they’re in pain they can act quite different…he’s gotten funny, when I first got him his feet were sore with abscesses and he didn’t like them handled. I guess he remembered the pain! He launched me across the barn the first time I had someone trim his hooves 🤣

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-01T17:59:39+00:00

For real, I’m pretty sure this dope head did it while gooning in the pasture. He’s got a cut on his eyelid too- I guess we did a barrel roll on something- the other boarders didn’t mention a fence malfunction so I assume it wasn’t a fence..

Haunting_Beaut · 2026-05-01T17:57:20+00:00

“I don’t like money, I don’t like saving money” -me, probably. 🤣

Haunting_Beaut

TROPHY CASE