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 talk about this??” The trainer’s answer: “We can talk tonight… just keep it focused.”

So we did. And here it is.

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• Why so many families switch barns at the end of show season
• The most common reasons people leave a barn (horses, money, goals, program fit, vibes)
• Why switching barns feels so emotional and personal for both parents and trainers
• Angie’s own experiences with two previous barn switches — one easy, one gut-wrenching
• How to leave a barn gracefully (honesty, kindness, communication)
• What to say, and what not to say, when making the transition
• How to avoid switching prematurely by choosing the right type of program from the start
• Key questions to ask yourself about goals, budget, horse needs, and your kid’s riding path

• Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/bhm
• YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@brokehorsemoms
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/
• Broke Horse Moms Newsletter: https://brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter

If you enjoyed this conversation or it helped you feel less alone in your horse mom journey, share it with a fellow barn mom or tag me on IG. You’re part of this herd, and I’m so grateful you’re here.

Trot on, friend. 🐴

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.

In This Episode:

• 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

About Elizabeth Howell

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.

Links & Resources

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

🧡 Stay in the Herd

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 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!