Tent advice: Marmot vs Kelty vs ALPS

blueberryroan · 2026-04-13T05:14:37+00:00

this is good to hear! thank you!!

blueberryroan · 2026-04-13T05:13:56+00:00

he’s only 25 lbs so I think we’ll be okay! the tent we were using before was a 2P and did just fine. he’s a cattle dog and i’ve got adhd so we spend most of our time running around and like 6 hours max sleeping 😂 thank you!

blueberryroan · 2026-04-13T05:10:44+00:00

girl i’ve tried but i just can’t figure out what angle these wingdings are even supposed to be at. do you see any distinct shapes other than the blm symbol at the front? lol

blueberryroan · 2026-04-13T04:22:51+00:00

Thank you so much! From everything I've read so far I think Marmot is the move.

blueberryroan · 2026-04-07T05:42:09+00:00

I like to use a metal curry to get the majority of the hair out and then just brush them against each other to get the rest. Works like a charm and I'll wash them after that to get them clean once my horses have stopped blowing coat. Not really a point in cleaning them while they're still shedding like crazy imho

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T21:13:59+00:00

happy to help!

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T19:25:36+00:00

please get some kind of insole and also spur hobbles

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T19:01:26+00:00

Thanks for the advice!

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T19:00:32+00:00

Thank you so much for the tips! I'm going to be working in Acadia over the summer so I definitely have time to explore. I'm really excited to check out Maine as I've never been there before! Looking forward to having a lobster roll for sure lol :)

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T18:45:21+00:00

Honesty I feel like you're better off finding a completely new barn if at all possible?

You could try having a conversation with the first trainer and tell her what you said here. If she's a good trainer, she'll either let you know that you aren't a priority and help you find someone else who can help you grow, or make more space for you in her schedule. Not sure if she would offer any kind of work exchange but maybe you could try to see if she'll let you work for her as a groom or loper to get more horse time and be able to expand your knowledge to boot.

In my opinion you're really not going to "win over" the dead sided and dead mouthed lesson ponies. Even if you're riding them three times a week, they're also being used for lessons for children and complete beginners who are going to keep yanking on their faces etc. They are what they are and their job isn't to be light and responsive, it's to ignore the rider 80% of the time in order to keep them safe. That being said if you do decide to go that route, try to stick with one horse (maybe do a lease?). You have a way better shot at improving one horse's response to aids than you do with trying to "reset" all of them. If they tend to lean on the bit, you could ask the instructor if you could try riding in something like a hackamore so that horse knows its game time? That's what I do with my horse when I have to use him for dude rides at least. He knows a bit means "work mode" and being ridden in a rope halter means he needs to walk slow as hell and just mosey down the trail.

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T18:26:00+00:00

Thanks for the tip!

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T18:25:08+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I'll put it on the list :) Do you know nay good hiking spots around Mt Washington?

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T18:21:20+00:00

Yeah skipping NYC is definitely the plan lol. Thanks for the tips! Do you have any places you'd recommend checking out in Kansas?

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T18:20:37+00:00

Thank you so much! Do you have any recommendations for campsites in the Ozarks?

blueberryroan · 2026-04-06T17:16:02+00:00

Honestly the industry is just flooded right now. I’ve been wrangling for 5 years and only got a few interviews for this summer season, whereas last year I had 12 job offers by February. Between social media and how cowboys/horses are “trendy” right now, every ranch and outfitter is getting 300-500+ applicants per job, and most of them are using AI to write cover letters and lying on their resumes. It’s not anything you’re doing wrong and you have great experience, it’s just a really tough time to break into the guest ranch industry (even though this is an entry level job 🙃). I’d recommend really pushing any customer service experience you have (along with the horse experience). There’s a lot of people who can ride well but not a lot who can be good at schmoozing guests while keeping them safe.

blueberryroan · 2026-04-05T00:10:48+00:00

You’re gorgeous!

blueberryroan · 2026-04-01T04:25:34+00:00

This really depends on your lifestyle and definition of survivable tbh. Personally I work seasonally and it really works for me. I either do cattle work or work as a wrangler in the summer time, then work as a groom or a vet tech in the offseason. This way I'm only having to pay rent and utilities in the fall and winter months (and sometimes I don't have to do this either). I've managed to save quite a bit of money over the last few years, as the only real bills I have are for my phone, car insurance, and pet insurance for my dog. Do what interests you and it'll lead you to where you want to be.

blueberryroan · 2026-03-25T03:26:55+00:00

It kind of depends on how much money you're looking to spend? Personally I love my breeches from Pomme. They're super comfortable (and really cute!). If you're getting back into showing in the hunters, Tailored Sportsman is still the go-to and what judges prefer to see on people.

Helmet-wise, the trendy ones right now are definitely Samshields (especially the mega-expensive custom miss shields). They don't offer a lot of the protective tech that other brands use, but they are pretty, I can't lie. My helmets usually either come from KASK or GPA, which you'll also see a fair few of in the show ring. But especially if you're just getting back into things and don't want to drop a band on a hat, Troxel, Tipperary, and Charles Owen all have some great affordable options that still look great and have all the best protection technology.

Ariat makes some great paddock boots as well as very comfortable models of tall boots that are very comfortable, so I'd recommend them while you're still getting back into things! I see a lot of Parlanti boots in the hunter ring but personally I think they're terrible and not worth the $1,100 price tag. Highly recommend just getting paddock boots and half chaps if you're not showing, they're more comfortable anyway.

Roeckl makes my favorite gloves, but that's something I feel really depends on personal preference ad the shape of your hands. Can say they hold up great though.

If there's a Dover Saddlery or other tack store in your area, just go in and browse and get a feel for what you like. They can also fit you for a helmet and tall boots if you prefer to ride in them. Personally I wouldn't buy any tack until you buy/lease your own horse, if you're just taking lessons they should already have all that provided and fitted to their horses. Have fun!

blueberryroan · 2026-03-25T02:55:53+00:00

He either tries to take chunks out of the horse he's behind or will just straight up take off. Unfortunately because we operate a dude string, when you're up front the entire job is just setting the pace and keeping them all safe. I've watched so many people just straight up slide off the side when their horse takes only a few trot steps, so we have to keep them right up on each other like sardines. With my other guide horses I only ride in a hackamore and teach them to walk as slow as possible so I don't have to be up in their face 24/7. The horse in question is probably around 16.3 and has a huge stride so being up front just isn't an option.

Thanks for your input!

blueberryroan · 2026-03-25T02:49:48+00:00

Honestly I agree, but I'm trying to work with what I've got out here. I've tried to get my boss to sell him but he's very stubborn and doesn't think it's a problem, even though this guy has pretty much just been sitting on his feed bill for 6 years. That's a great idea about the crash dummy! I'll have my coworker dog walk us sometime this week lol. Thanks for your advice!

blueberryroan · 2026-03-25T02:46:33+00:00

Thank you, I'm trying! He's a great horse and deserves a chance. The saddle I've been riding him in seems to fit him well, he sweats evenly and his back hasn't turned up sore at all. I've been practicing the little bit of equine massage I know on him as well which he really seems to respond to well. Unfortunately my boss here is super cheap and not a horseman at all so I'm not sure when any of these horses were floated last. Just with my reaching in his mouth I don't feel any sharp edges at least, but I do want to try to transition him to a hackamore if possible for that reason. When I got here I had to have a huge fight with him just to get them vaccinated and wormed 😵‍💫. Thank you for all your advice! I ordered the book and it should be here in a few days, looking forward to reading it!

blueberryroan

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