Broke Horse Moms

Episode Summary When my recent article in The Plaid Horse about how confusing the horse world can be for new families was published, one comment kept popping up: "Just ask questions." Great suggestion! The problem is, when you're new to horses, you don't know what questions to ask. So in this episode, I'm sharing 10 simple questions that can save you time, money, frustration, and a whole lot of se...

When your child starts riding, you expect to make decisions about schedules, budgets, and maybe when they get their first pair of tall boots. What you don't expect is that before long you'll be making decisions about trainers, horse shows, safety, horses, and thousands of dollars in equipment for a sport you barely understand. In this episode, I sit down with Jen Barker and Karen Tanner, hosts of...

You know what's weird? Attending a webinar to learn how to attend a horse show. In this episode, I tackle what I believe is one of the biggest barriers to growing equestrian sports: understandability. While conversations about accessibility often focus on cost, there's another challenge that doesn't get discussed nearly enough. Horse shows, divisions, memberships, qualifications, prize lists, entr...

If you’ve been anywhere near horse social media lately, you’ve probably seen the conversations around Dover Saddlery’s closures and liquidation sales. But what actually happened behind the scenes? And what does it reveal about the future of the equestrian industry? In this episode, I’m joined by Orchid Bertelsen, writer of the Substack Back in the Saddle , to break down the Dover story from both a...

Are horse shows teaching kids to become better riders or just rewarding expensive horses and polished rounds? In this episode, Angie sits down with David Reichert, founder of the United Dressage and Jumping Club (UDJC), to talk about the gaps he sees in the current U.S. equestrian system and why he created an alternative focused on horsemanship, rider development, affordability, and grit. David sh...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Ashley Winch to walk through what happened when our rated show at HITS Culpeper came to an abrupt end after a horse stabled in the same barn as us tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) and developed Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). What followed was confusion, a lot of unanswered questions, and a mandatory quarantine that completely ch...

Horse show season is here and if you’re anything like me, it can feel like stepping into a completely different world. In this episode, I’m breaking down everything I wish I had known before our first horse show, from the different types of shows to the very real costs (both expected and surprise) and how to navigate it all without losing your mind… or your bank account. Whether you’re heading to...

In this episode, I’m joined by Beth Sheely, head coach of the Virginia Tech Equestrian Team, to break down what collegiate club teams really look like and why they might be the best-kept secret for riders who want to continue in college. We talk about everything from how these teams are structured and funded to what coaches are actually looking for, plus real, actionable ways to start exploring op...

One of the biggest lessons many of us learn in the horse world is that you can’t navigate it alone. In this episode, Angie shares why building a “horse mom village” is one of the most important things you can do—not just for your rider, but for your sanity as a parent trying to figure out a sport you didn’t grow up in. From the horse mom bestie who helps you talk through barn drama, to the barn fa...

What exactly is a local show association and why does it matter? In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly Gannon, adult amateur rider and volunteer of the Central Virginia Show Jumping Association (CVSJA) , to talk about how local horse shows actually run, from costs and volunteers to why they’re critical for young riders and adult amateurs alike. We cover: Local vs rated horse shows What kids learn b...

Winter showed up loud this year with ice, school closures, frozen buckets, and barns that don’t care about the weather forecast. In this episode, Angie shares what’s actually helping her family get through an extended stretch of freezing temperatures, from the clothes that make barn life bearable to the small comforts that keep everyone’s spirits intact. This isn’t a sponsored gear roundup or a “d...

Buying a horse can feel like the most exciting and terrifying decision you’ll ever make as a horse mom. In this episode, Angie shares the real-life considerations that went into buying her daughter’s horse and the questions every family should ask before making the leap. Whether you’re leasing, half-leasing, riding lesson horses, or just starting to wonder what’s next, this conversation is for mom...

Before the braids, before the entries, before the credit card panic...there’s planning...hopefully. In this episode of Broke Horse Moms , Angie sits down with her daughter Chloe for an unfiltered planning conversation using the 2026 Broke Horse Moms Planning Workbook . Together, they reflect on 2025, set rider goals, set MOM goals, choose shows with intention, and define a couple of mom boundaries...

Episode Summary It’s that time of year — show season is winding down, leases are ending, and a LOT of families start wondering… Is it time to switch barns? In this episode, Angie cracks open one of the spiciest topics in the horse world: when, why, and how to switch barns without burning every bridge in sight. And yes — before hitting record, she even texted Chloe’s trainer to ask, “Should I even...

In this episode of Broke Horse Moms , Angie sits down with Piper Klemm , publisher of The Plaid Horse , co-author of the Show Strides series, and one of the most trusted voices in equestrian education. Together, they break down two of the biggest topics in the horse world: affordability and accessibility . What do those words actually mean? How do families realistically navigate a sport known for...

It’s that time of year again — when the wish lists start rolling in and you realize your rider “needs” new breeches, a heated vest, and possibly an entire LeMieux set. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. In this episode, I’m breaking down our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide EARLY so that you have a list of items to hand out and choose from yourself. From fun rider finds and practical mom must-haves to gifts that w...

What happens when your kid’s dream of riding in college actually comes true? In this episode, Angie sits down with Elizabeth Howell , marketing and media expert, lifelong horse lover, and proud mom of an NCAA equestrian, to unpack what it really looks like when your family’s years of early mornings, long show days, and endless barn bills finally pay off. Elizabeth shares her daughter Samantha’s jo...

In this follow-up to our first episode on Leasing a Horse , Angie digs into what really matters once you’ve decided to lease - the agreement itself. Because when it comes to horse leasing, the details can make or break your experience. Angie covers: • What’s typically included in a lease (board, vet, farrier, feed, lessons, insurance) • What you’re allowed to do, like showing, hauling, and off-pro...

In this episode, Angie sits down with Jennifer Connor , co-founder of Riders Rent, to decode the often-confusing world of show apparel . Whether you’re a first-time horse show mom staring down breeches, jodhpurs, and tall boots, or a seasoned rider wondering what’s tradition vs. what’s truly required, this episode will help you breathe easier. Together, Angie and Jennifer cover: Breeches vs. jodhp...

What does it really mean to lease a horse and why do so many people recommend it? In this episode of Broke Horse Moms , Angie kicks off our Barn Basics series with a crash course in horse leasing: the what, the why, and the different ways families approach this “horse renting” option before diving into ownership. Angie covers: What a lease actually is (and why non-horse people look at you funny wh...

In this first episode of Broke Horse Moms , I’m turning the mic on myself to share how we stumbled into this sport, what it’s meant for my family, and why this community matters so much. From Chloe’s very first pony ride at the county fair, to her first falls (and my first ringside heart attacks), to finding Phoebe, the opinionated pony who changed everything, I’ll take you through the highs, the...

What happens when supporting your kid’s horse dreams sparks your own? In this episode of Broke Horse Moms , Angie sits down with fellow horse mom (and rider!) Jen Nelson , co-founder of Armor Equestrian , to talk about carving out your own joy in the horse world, even when the sport starts as “just your kid’s thing.” Jen shares: How her daughter Taylor’s first lesson turned into a lifelong mother-...

Broke Horse Moms is the podcast for every horse-show-tired, muck-boot-wearing mama raising a kid in the equestrian world. Hosted by Angie Trueblood , proud horse mom and member of the “I-thought-this-was-just-a-phase” club, we share the real talk, laughs, and lessons that help moms navigate barn life, horse shows, and big equestrian dreams, without losing our minds (or all our money). From learnin...