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BROKE HORSE MOMS

A podcast and newsletter for every horse show-tired + muck boot-wearing mama who’s trying to figure out what the hell she signed up for. You’ve got questions, Venmo receipts and way too many saddle pads.​ And now, you’ve got a community that gets it. Join the Broke Horse Moms newsletter for weekly behind-the-scenes extras, show season survival tips, gear recs, horse mom life hacks, and everything we wish someone told us when our kids decided to 'try' horseback riding. Join our virtual barn family!

Featured Post

🐎 BHM: Surviving the arctic tundra as a Broke Horse Mom

Hi Reader, By the time this hits your inbox, we’ll be about 11 days deep into 20-degree weather here in Virginia. Schools closed. Roads iced over. Water buckets frozen solid. A whole situation. I had an interview planned for this week, but honestly? It didn’t feel as helpful as talking about what’s getting us through this stretch of winter barn life. In today’s episode of Broke Horse Moms, I’m sharing: The clothes that are actually working at the barn Why gas station hot chocolate has become...

Hi Reader, In today’s episode of the podcast, I share how we made the decision to buy a horse, a pony, actually, and how we KNEW we were ready-ish. This isn’t a checklist that ends with 'you should definitely buy a horse' because GOOD LAWD, no one needs more pressure for this large of a decision. It’s an honest look at the emotional, financial, and practical signs that matter most, especially for us non-horsey horse moms. If you’re somewhere between Oh, hell no! (because that's where I...

Hi Reader, Before the braids, before the entries, before the 'Oh hell, what's the bill??' moment, there’s planning. Chloe and I just recorded a new episode of the Broke Horse Moms podcast where we sit down together and walk through how we’re planning our 2026 show season. This is not the highlight-reel - literally, the first thing she says is 'I hate you.' 🤣 We talk about: Looking at what worked (and didn’t) in 2025 Chloe's goals for 2026 - both on the horse and off Choosing shows with...

Hi Reader, When your kid first started riding, were you as alarmed by the word lame as I was? I remember hearing it and thinking, Well, that’s it. Pack it up. This horse is done. Dunzo. Retired forever. Turns out… not so much. Lame can mean sore muscles. Tender feet for some (usually unknown) reason. A random cut that just needs a little time. Sure, sometimes it's more serious than that, but more often than not, it’s a signal to slow down, assess, and let things settle. Over time. I’ve...

Hi Reader, First off: It's SNOWING in Virginia! Which is gorgeous AND ALSO I know I'll be freezing at the barn later. Pro-broke horse mom tip: Pack your car with snacks, work, books, etc AND ALSO pack your coat and all your winter gear. I just got our replacement Carhartt winter gloves, linked in the Holiday Gift Guide, because WHY would be able to find the ones we used last winter?? My car packed for the barn in the winter is a combo of an office on wheels, a small pantry, and a coat closet....

Hi Reader, Today's episode of Broke Horse Moms might just be my favorite so far. One thing I've spent hours pondering and chatting about with friends, trainers, and non-horsey folks is just how expensive this sport is and how hard it is to step into it without any type of horsey background. 🎙️ Affordability + Accessibility in the Horse World with Piper Klemm Enter....Dr. Piper Klemm, publisher and editor of The Plaid Horse Magazine, host of The Plaidcast podcast and a widely respected leader...

I know...it's NOVEMBER 4th. It's RIDICULOUSLY early to be talking about the holidays. And yet, I've already had family members asking me for Christmas lists. So, in an effort to help YOU, Reader, I've created the most epic 2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Broke Horse Moms, complete with kid gifts, trainer gifts and MOM gifts. I released an episode earlier today going over all the products and how to best use this guide to make your life easier (Amazon wish lists, using our discount codes and...

Hi Reader, If you’ve ever wondered whether all those early mornings, braiding marathons, and horse show bills could actually lead somewhere once your kiddo flies the coop, this week’s episode is for you. 🎙️ NCAA Equestrian Journey w/Broke Horse Mom Elizabeth Howell My guest, Elizabeth Howell, is a lifelong horse mom whose daughter Samantha rode her way onto Baylor University’s NCAA equestrian team, with 66% of her tuition covered through scholarships by the end. Elizabeth shares what that...

Hi Reader, If you’ve ever thought, “This lease sounds simple enough,” HOLD THE PHONE! I created THIS episode for you! In this week’s episode of Broke Horse Moms, I dive deep into the details that make or break a horse lease agreement from the perspective of us, the non-qualified, non-attorney, horse moms. From what’s typically included to what clauses you might want to consider adding, this episode is your practical guide to protecting your wallet and your sanity. I tackle: What expenses are...

Hi Reader, Let’s be real: nothing makes a new horse show mom’s head spin like show clothes. Breeches vs. jodhpurs (aka stirrup pants!), paddock boots vs. tall boots, jackets vs. no jackets…it is a lot. Here’s the good news: according to Jennifer Connor, co-founder of Riders Rent, the most important factor isn’t the brand or the price tag: it’s the fit. A well-fitting pair of breeches or a jacket that sits right gives kids confidence in the ring, keeps the focus on their ride, and let's the...