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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: Switching Barns - It's That Time of the Year

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...

Hi Reader, So, the first time I told a non-horse friend that we were leasing a horse, she looked at me with equal parts confusion and pity. “You’re…renting a horse?” Ummm...kind of. 🤦🏻♀️ And also, I will stand by leasing as one of the BEST decisions we’ve made in this sport so far. It gave Chloe more time in the saddle, let us “try before we buy,” and helped us test out just how committed she really was before adding horse ownership to our family budget (and chaos). So this week on the Broke...

Hi Reader! Today’s the day! The Broke Horse Moms podcast is officially live with two brand-new episodes: 🎙 My Broke Horse Mom StoryHow we stumbled into this wild sport, the ups and downs we’ve faced in just four short years, and why I knew this community had to be created. 🎙 Finding Our Own Fun in the Horse World with Jen NelsonJen is a fellow horse mom, rider, and co-founder of Armor Equestrian (think sparkle, glitter, and FUN). We chat through how to create space for US in the horse world,...

Hi Reader, At this past weekend's show, Chloe’s trainer texted me before her second jumper division: “We need hoof oil and a brush.” First, I giggled. She’s always been a hunter coach, and while she’s jumped headfirst into the jumper world with Phoebe (the best pony ever!) and Chloe, she hasn’t quite shaken the fundamentals of 'hunter-ing' - mainly, show up looking your best. Honestly, I kind of love it. When I went to the gate, she laughingly said 'Moms are in charge of the grooming kit.'...

Hi Reader, We made it home from our first big away show and flew right into the new school year. If you missed my attempt to be the most annoying mom at the Winston National by documenting every last second of it, you can catch it all on my Instagram 'HITS' highlights. I'll cover my takeaways from the show more completely in an upcoming podcast episode, but here are some highlights I jotted in my notes app: It was INCREDIBLE to be around so many talented horses and horse people. Full stop -...