Broke Horse Moms – Details, episodes & analysis

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-daughter bonding experience
• What it’s really like to lease a horse vs. buy one (and how Roh-Bear came into their lives)
• Why she decided jumping wasn’t for her, and how to find what you love most about riding
• The truth about balancing show costs, point chasing, and family budgets
• How Armor Equestrian was born out of barn heartbreak and became a brand that brings sparkle, fun, and joy back into riding
• A hilarious first installment of our new segment: Trainer Truth Bombs

Whether you’re considering a lease, wondering how other moms afford the show circuit, or simply looking for permission to find your own barn-time joy, this episode is packed with real talk (and plenty of laughs).

Special for listeners: Armor Equestrian is offering 15% off with code BHM → shop here.

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with another horse mom who needs to hear she’s not alone in this wild, wallet-draining sport!

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 wipeouts, and the unexpected ways horses transformed not just Chloe, but me too.

This is the story behind Broke Horse Moms: the lessons, the friendships, and the dreams being chased.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re navigating barn life without a map, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How our family accidentally fell into horse life
• The role Chloe’s uncle and grandparents played in keeping horses in the family
• The bumpy road of lessons, leases, and falls (including broken bones and stitches)
• How Phoebe became Chloe’s heart pony and show partner
• The incredible growth I’ve seen in Chloe (and myself) through this journey
• Why I created Broke Horse Moms

Links & Resources:

✉️ Join our virtual barn family (weekly newsletter): https://brokehorsemoms.kit.com/56f40ee3d1

📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/

Check out what else is going on: www.brokehorsemoms.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Sponsored by Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supply

This episode is sponsored by Big Dee’s Tack & Vet Supply, a trusted source for tack, riding apparel, horse care products, barn essentials, and all the random things horse moms somehow end up needing at the last minute. Shop online at bigdweb.com.

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 learning the lingo to surviving your first show season or even what comes next for your teen rider, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re brand new or barn-seasoned, this is your place to connect, learn, and laugh with moms who get it.

Subscribe now and join our virtual barn family at brokehorsemoms.com.

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 being intimidating, financially and culturally?
• And where can moms find options even when the “traditional” paths feel out of reach?
• The importance of having a 'teacher' in your trainer
• Piper's thoughts on how to make a sustainable living in this sport

Whether you’re brand new to riding or knee-deep in breeches and lesson schedules, this conversation will help you understand how to create opportunity for your kid, without losing your mind or your entire savings.

Plus, a Trainer Truth Bomb every new horse parent needs to hear.

Resources + Links:

The Plaid Horse: theplaidhorse.com

Show Strides book series: https://amzn.to/480z37l (affiliate)

Follow Piper: https://www.instagram.com/piperklemmphd/

Follow The Plaid Horse Magazine: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidhorsemag/

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 will make your trainer actually smile, this guide keeps it real, affordable-ish, and useful.

Plus, I’ll share a little mom math on why buying the bigger-ticket horse things now actually saves you money later and a behind-the-scenes update on how you can support Broke Horse Moms so we grow to better support you.

Featured Brands & Links

(Find full details and discount codes in the newsletter!)

• SmartPak Equine: brokehorsemoms.com/smartequine - Get $20 off your first order
• Free Ride Equestrian: shopfre.com/bhm or use code BHM at checkout for 10% off
• Armor Equestrian: Horseshoe earrings, stencils, glitter, candles, and more - Use code BHM for 15% off

Get the Full 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Subscribe to the newsletter and get the complete list (with links + codes!) sent right to your inbox the day this episode drops OR embedded in the welcome email if you're taking your sweet ole time:

👉 brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter

☕ Support the Show

If something in this episode made you laugh, helped you save, or made you feel a little less alone in this horse-crazy life, you can support the show for the cost of a bag of shavings:

👉 brokehorsemoms.com/shavings

🐴 Connect with Broke Horse Moms

• Website: brokehorsemoms.com
• Instagram: @brokehorsemoms
• YouTube: Broke Horse Moms

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 journey from pony kid to Division I athlete, including how they navigated the financial reality of competitive riding, what it took to earn scholarship money, and what life is like on a collegiate equestrian team. Spoiler: the recognition and opportunities NCAA riders get might surprise you.

Whether your child is just starting lessons or already dreaming of riding under stadium lights, this episode offers hope, honesty, and hard-earned insight from a mom who’s been there.

• How Elizabeth and her family juggled multiple jobs to keep their daughter in the saddle
• The process that led to 66% of Samantha’s college tuition being covered through scholarships
• Why NCAA equestrian matters for visibility and respect within college sports
• How being a horse mom opened unexpected career doors for Elizabeth
• What moms should know early on if their kid might want to ride in college

Elizabeth is the founder of Howell Media and a marketing and media strategist who helps entrepreneurs and executives leverage LinkedIn and podcast guesting to grow their visibility. Before building her business, she spent nearly two decades supporting her daughter’s equestrian career, from braiding horses at 2 a.m. and managing horse shows to running her own mobile equestrian gift store, She Rides I Pay. Elizabeth has also worked with top equestrian media brands and helped NCAA Equestrian build its early social media and sponsorship programs.

• https://collegiateequestrian.com/
• https://collegiateequestrian.com/sports/2020/7/10/recruiting%20101.aspx
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/euh24/

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share it with your favorite barn mom, or leave a review letting us know what part of Elizabeth’s story hit home.

• https://brokehorsemoms.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/
• https://www.youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms

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-property rides

• How lease pricing is structured and what’s negotiable

• The clauses to consider before signing on the dotted line (purchase price, substitution, media use, notice period)

If you’re about to sign or start negotiating a lease, this episode will help you spot the red flags and protect your wallet and your sanity.

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the show, and share this episode with another horse mom about to enter the world of equine fine print!

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. jodhpurs - who wears what and why
• When kids transition from paddock boots to tall boots
• The role of jackets in hunters, jumpers, and equitation
• The truth about shirts, ties, belts, gloves, and bows
• Where most moms overspend too soon on apparel
• Borrowing, renting, and consignment hacks to save money
• Why Riders Rent is changing the game for Broke Horse Moms

Along the way, Angie shares her own horse mom missteps (hello, bows that never saw the ring), while Jennifer brings her deep equestrian experience and her practical advice for moms who want their kids to look the part without emptying the wallet.

Watch the video here: http://youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms/

Connect with Jenn and Rider's Rent:

• https://www.ridersrent.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/ridersrent/
• https://www.instagram.com/jconnor611/

Connect with Angie and other Broke Horse Moms:

• https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/
• http://youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms/

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with another horse mom who needs to hear she’s not alone in this wild, wallet-draining sport!

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 when you say you’re doing it)
• When it makes sense to lease instead of just taking lessons OR instead of buying outright
• The key differences between care leases and paid leases
• Onsite vs. offsite leases and how location affects flexibility and responsibility
• The pros and cons of full vs. partial leases, including how schedules and show plans come into play

Whether you’re weighing your first lease, debating whether it’s worth it, or just trying to understand barn lingo, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared (and less confused) when the topic comes up at your barn.

💡 Stay tuned for Horse Renting 102: Inside the Lease Agreement where Angie gets into contracts, costs, and what to look out for before signing on the dotted line.

✨ Don’t forget: rate and review the podcast, and share this episode with another horse mom who’s figuring out whether to lease, buy, or just keep lessoning her way through this wild, wallet-draining sport!

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:

1. Local vs rated horse shows
2. What kids learn beyond ribbons
3. The real costs behind running a show
4. Why volunteer support matters
5. What happens if grassroots associations disappear

If you’re a non-horsey horse mom trying to understand the ecosystem you just joined… his one’s for you.

CVSJA

1. https://www.cvsja.org/
2. https://www.instagram.com/cvsjashows/

Broke Horse Moms

1. Join the BHM newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
2. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms