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 Horse Moms podcast, I’m kicking off the first of many 'Barn Basics' episodes where I deep dive into a topic from our perspective. Up this week: Horse Renting 101: The What and Why of Horse Leasing, which covers:

• What a lease actually is (in Broke Horse Mom language)
• When it makes sense to lease vs. just take lessons or buy 🤦🏻‍♀️
• Care vs. paid leases (and why “free” isn’t always better)
• Onsite vs. offsite leases
• Full vs. partial leases, and what that means for your budget and schedule

Whether you’re totally new to this or just trying to decode barn lingo, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared when the 'opportunity' to lease is offered to you.

🎧 Listen to Horse Renting 101 here​

🤷🏻‍♀️ Are We Supposed to Know This?

Each week, I'll share a question that we should all PROBABLY know, but likely don't. Meh. We'll figure it out together. I’ll share the answer in next week’s newsletter.

In a show, what counts as a refusal at a jump?

*Think you know it? Hit reply and tell me! I’ll give a shoutout and drop an Armor Equestrian sticker in the mail to one of the (surely many) correct answers. No googling allowed!

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION

What is a martingale?

Big congrats to Rhonda! Thanks to your answer, a martingale will never NOT make me laugh.

I'll give you a sticker when I see you at the barn!

👀 BTS: On the Road to Pony Finals

Sadly, my quest to figuring out zones and teams for Pony Finals 2026 proved fruitless. One trainer wasn't sure, two older riders had no idea and I'm back to square one of digging into the USEF materials. That said, I *think* USEF creates the teams after individuals register... I think.

📋 Weekly Roundup

• If you're local to Richmond/Powhatan VA and would LOVE to get pics with your horse or the cutest ponies ever, I invite you to check out a 'Pics with Ponies' event I'm helping host at Fine Creek Equestrian in Powhatan.
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  A local teen rider, who happens to be a budding equine photographer, is offering mini-sessions at the barn to earn her way to the Thoroughbred Incentive Program show in Aiken, SC in October. Event info is linked below, but feel free to shoot me back an email for details:
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  ​Pics with Ponies Event!​
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• It's getting a bit chillier here in Virginia and Chloe even pulled out her Free Ride (affiliate) heavier breeches this week. If you're kiddo is in the market for more-wintery gear, you can use my affiliate code BHM at check out to get 10% off your order. Here are the products Chloe loves the most:
  • ​Seamless Long-Sleeved Top​
  • ​Lux Zip Breeches with Knee Patch​
  • ​Heavyweight Zip Up Winter Breeches​

Until next time, trot on, mama! We got this!

xo,
Angie

​https://brokehorsemoms.com/​

PS - Missed a newsletter? See previous posts here.​