Broke Horse Moms

My friend Micah Fae Thomas has ridden for 30 years, owned horses for 20, and coached professionally for five. She is also the person who marched me, Chloe, and my mother-in-law through the tack shop aisle saying "need it, skip it, get that at CVS." Her rule: if it's for you, save. If it's for the horse, spend.

In this episode, we get into:

• What a brand-new lesson kid actually needs, and when to start buying it
• Why the most expensive helmet isn't automatically the safest
• The horse expenses Micah would never cut (training rides top the list)
• Brown mouthwash, diaper cream, maxi pads, and other swaps hiding at the drugstore
• The golf store hack for riding shirts
• When your kid is actually ready for a rated show (Micah has opinions)

Neither of us is a vet, so run any first aid swap past yours first.

If you've ever stood in a tack shop wondering why a hoof pick costs $70, this one's for you.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply: https://www.bigdweb.com - use code BHM10

Guest Links

• Micah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just2junebugs
• Micah on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@just2junebugs

Broke Horse Moms Links

• Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com
• Newsletter: https://brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/brokehorsemoms
• Voice notes: https://speakpipe.com/bhm

Resources Mentioned

• Virginia Tech Helmet Lab Equestrian Helmet Ratings: https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/equestrian-helmet-ratings.html
• Champion Saddlery, Richmond, VA: https://championsaddlery.com/
• Full show notes: https://brokehorsemoms.com/save-money-horse-supplies/

Chloe forgot her course. Then she fell off in the show ring. Then she got right back on, while I stood at the rail wondering why we weren't packing up the trailer.

This is my horse mom version of the "Let Them" mantra. It isn't the stop-controlling-everything version. It's the one where we let our kids muck stalls, wrap legs badly, clip off part of a horse's tail (sorry, Billy), ride the quirky ones, fall off, cry, and see just how big this horse world is.

I'm also covering how to open these doors (hint: ask) and how to afford them when shows are already eating the budget.

Plus, Broke Horse Moms is officially one year old! If this show has helped you at all, a review on your podcast player would mean the world. Tell me what you want to hear next.

• Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply: https://www.bigdweb.com (use code BHM10)

• Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com
• Newsletter: https://brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/brokehorsemoms
• Voice notes: https://speakpipe.com/bhm

• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins: https://www.melrobbins.com
• United States Pony Clubs: https://www.ponyclub.org
• Ep 19: Are We Raising Riders or Buying Ribbons: https://brokehorsemoms.com/united-dressage-jumping-club-david-reichert/

Grace Speckman tracked every single dollar she spent leasing a horse and still ended up $14,000 in the hole after four months. She's a certified financial planner. If it can catch her off guard, it can absolutely catch the rest of us. In this one, we get into the costs nobody warns you about (looking at you, saddle fitting), how to budget for a sport that thrives on surprise expenses, and the uncomfortable math Grace does on what it costs us long-term to keep saying yes to horses right now. I walked away from this conversation with an actual plan instead of just crossed fingers, and I think you will too.

Thanks to our sponsors!

• Thanks to Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply https://www.bigdweb.com/ for their continued support of Broke Horse Moms. Use code BHM10 to receive an additional 10% off your order.

Grace's Links

• The Thoughtful Equestrian's Guide to Protect, Grow, and Pass on Wealth
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandhorsesense/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GraceSpeckman
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-speckman/

Broke Horse Moms Links

• Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokehorsemoms
• Leave me a voice note about a question you'd like answered: https://speakpipe.com/bhm

Resources Mentioned

• YNAB (You Need A Budget) budgeting app

We all know the feeling: standing at the rail, trying not to visibly panic, while our kid looks completely calm in the saddle. Turns out that might not be as harmless as it feels.

This week I’m talking with Courtenay Baber, a licensed professional counselor, lifelong rider, and founder of Gray Horse Counseling, about the mental side of riding for our kids, and for us. We get into why kids’ self-talk turns into a hamster wheel so fast, what to actually say (and not say) before a big ride, and a simple grounding trick Courtenay uses at the in-gate herself.

I also get honest about a moment heading into Pony Finals this year when I realized I was putting pressure on my daughter without meaning to and what changed once I named it.

This episode is sponsored by Courtenay and Gray Horse Counseling.

If this one hits home, hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next and if you’ve got two minutes, a quick rating helps other horse moms find the show.

Thanks to our sponsors!

• This episode is sponsored by Courtenay Baber and Gray Horse Counseling, Courtenay’s own practice.
• Thanks to Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply https://www.bigdweb.com/ for their continued support of Broke Horse Moms. Use code BHM10 to receive an additional 10% off your order.

Broke Horse Moms Links

• Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokehorsemoms
• Leave me a voice note about a question you'd like answered: https://speakpipe.com/bhm

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.

Before Pony Finals, I thought we knew horse shows. We had rated shows under our belt. We'd qualified for a national championship. I had even made an entire episode about what first-timers need to know. Then we got to Kentucky, and I realized this was a completely different world.

In this episode, I'm walking you through all the myths I believed going into Pony Finals and what I now know to be true after watching Chloe and her pony Phoebe place 13th out of 97 in their division.

I thought we packed everything we needed. We didn't, and I ended up buying a broom, ulcer guard, and hoof packing within the first hour of being there. I thought it would just be a bigger version of the horse shows we already knew. It wasn't, not even close, from the scoring format to the size of the crowd to the pressure of every single round counting. I thought once we got there, it would all make sense. It didn't, and I had to track down someone in person just to understand how a winner was even determined.

I also talk about the moment I realized grooms aren't just for people who don't want to do the work themselves, why we will never again call this trip a family vacation, and the question I'm still sitting with: is a show like this worth it if your kid and pony aren't fully ready for it?

If your kid is headed to Pony Finals one day, if you're moving from schooling shows to rated shows, or if you just recently learned what a lead change is, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Pack more than you think you need. A bridle bag, garment bag, extra hooks, ulcer guard, and hoof packing all turned out to be essential, not extra.
• Pony Finals is not just a bigger version of a rated show. The scoring format, crowd size, and pressure of every round make it a different experience entirely.
• Ask questions early. Even experienced horse show families can find the scoring and format confusing, so don't assume it'll make sense once you arrive.
• Grooms aren't just for big-budget barns. Having a dedicated person to help with the horse freed up everyone else to focus on their actual job.
• Don't plan this as a vacation. Between prep, riding, and recovery, there's very little time or energy left for sightseeing.
• Readiness matters more than the invitation. Whether a show like this feels "worth it" often comes down to whether your rider and horse are truly prepared for that level of competition.

Resources

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply: https://www.bigdweb.com/ Use code BHM10 for an additional 10% off your order.

Broke Horse Moms

• Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• The Swag Barn: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn Use code BHM10 for 10% off your order.

Special thanks to Steve Woodward, founder of The Podcasting Editor, for giving you all the best listening experience!

Nobody told me that gradually, week by week, I would stop being the center of Chloe's horse life. A few weeks ago she got her driver's license, and almost overnight, everything about my role at the barn changed. She drives herself to lessons now. She works there without me. She signs up for her own shows. I knew it would change my schedule, but I didn't realize how much it would change my job.

In this episode, I'm talking through the moment this really hit me, the milestones I didn't recognize until I looked back, and why I think every horse mom eventually faces some version of this, whether it's a license or something else entirely. If you've ever felt your role at the barn quietly shifting under you, this one's for you, friend.

• https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms/
• Join our virtual barn family: brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter

Thanks to our sponsor Big Dee's Tack and Vet Supply - Use code BHM10 at checkout for an additional 10% off your order.

Special thanks to our podcast editor, Steve Woodward. If you're thinking about starting a podcast, find him at podcastingeditor.com.

When we qualified for Pony Jumper Finals, I quickly realized that the official information answered plenty of competition questions but almost none of my horse mom questions.

When should we arrive? Do we really need a golf cart? What happens when we pull into the Kentucky Horse Park? How do we know where to go? What should we pack that no one tells us about?

So I invited Laura Greenstreet, mom to Pony Jumper rider Cora Greenstreet and founder of the Pony Jumpers USA Facebook group, to answer the questions every first-time Pony Finals family is asking.

Laura has been exactly where many of us are now. Even though she grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, she still found herself overwhelmed the first time her family attended Pony Finals. Since then, she's built an incredible community where parents help one another navigate one of the biggest events in youth equestrian sports.

Whether you're headed to Pony Finals this year or you're simply curious about what happens behind the scenes at a national championship, this conversation is packed with practical advice, honest perspective, and plenty of reassurance that none of us are supposed to know all of this from the beginning.

• What to do before you leave home, including EventPass and required health paperwork
• What to expect when you first arrive at the Kentucky Horse Park
• Whether you really need a golf cart (spoiler: probably yes)
• Packing tips that experienced Pony Finals parents swear by
• How to find braiders, bodyworkers, grooming help, and other services
• What first-time families often wish they'd known before arriving
• How to navigate schooling, training rounds, and the team competition
• Family activities and events you won't want to miss throughout the week
• Why Pony Jumper Finals is about so much more than ribbons

Thanks to our sponsor!

Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply https://www.bigdweb.com/: Use code BHM10 to receive an additional 10% off your order.

Broke Horse Moms Links

• Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokehorsemoms
• Leave me a voice note about a question you'd like answered: https://speakpipe.com/bhm

Download the Unofficial 2026 Pony Jumper Finals Parent Guide at:

https://brokehorsemoms.com/ponyfinals2026

Connect with Laura and the Pony Jumpers community:

• Pony Jumpers USA Facebook Group
• @corarides on Instagram

If this episode helped you feel a little more prepared or simply reminded you that none of us started out knowing all of this, I hope you'll share it with another horse mom.

And if you're enjoying Broke Horse Moms, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the show and leave a rating or review. It helps more horse families find the community they're looking for.

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 second-guessing. These aren't embarrassing beginner questions - they're conversation starters that will help you better understand the horse world and feel more confident supporting your rider.

Whether you've been a horse mom for six months or six years, I think you'll walk away with at least one question you hadn't thought to ask.

• Why "just ask questions" isn't enough for new horse families
• Who to ask besides your trainer
• 10 questions to help jump start your own education in this sport
• Why building your own "horse mom village" matters

• The Plaid Horse article: The Biggest Barrier for Non-Horse Families Entering the Sport Is Understanding
• Episode 22: Horse Trainer vs. Parent: Who Decides What? (Jen Wood & Karen from The Scope Podcast)
• Episode 15: How to Build Your Broke Horse Mom Village

Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supply https://www.bigdweb.com/: Use code BHM10 to receive an additional 10% off your order.

Broke Horse Moms

Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com/

Newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokehorsemoms

Leave me a voice note about a question you'd like answered: https://speakpipe.com/bhm

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 The Scope Podcast, to tackle one of the biggest challenges horse moms face: figuring out who gets to make the big decisions.

We discuss everything from choosing a trainer and evaluating barn safety to deciding when a rider is ready to move up divisions, return after a fall, start working at the barn, or take on greater responsibility in the sport. Jen brings the trainer perspective, while Karen shares insights from her experience as a horse mom with two riders.

One theme comes up again and again throughout our conversation: trust. How do you build trust with a trainer when you're brand new to the horse world? When should you rely on their expertise? And when should you ask more questions?

If you've ever wondered where your role as a parent ends and your trainer's role begins, this episode is for you.

• Trust is built through communication, not blind agreement.
• Trainers should guide horse and competition decisions, but parents should be part of the conversation.
• Safety discussions evolve as riders progress in the sport.
• Horsemanship involves much more than simply riding.
• Parents should feel comfortable asking questions and understanding the "why" behind decisions.
• Clear goals help trainers and families stay aligned.
• Strong trainer-parent partnerships make the sport more enjoyable for everyone.

The Scope Podcast

• The Scope Podcast website: https://www.thescopepodcast.com/
• Listen on Apple podcasts
• Listen on Spotify
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.scope.podcast/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.scope.podcast

• https://www.bigdweb.com/ Use code BHM10 to get an additional 10% off your order.

• Website: https://brokehorsemoms.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• The Swag Barn: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn - Use code BHM10 to get 10% off your order.

Special thanks to Steve Woodward, founder of The Podcasting Editor, for giving you all the best listening experience!

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, entries, and billing can feel like a foreign language to families who didn't grow up in the horse world.

In this episode, I share:

• Why I attended a horse show webinar
• The difference between affordability and understandability
• Why so much equestrian knowledge is word of mouth
• How confusion impacts participation and retention
• Practical ideas that could make the sport easier for new families to navigate

If you've ever nodded politely while secretly Googling horse show terminology, this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned

Our Presenting Sponsor, Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplies

https://www.bigdweb.com/ Use code BHM10 to get an additional 10% off your order.

Broke Horse Moms

• Join our virtual barn family! https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemoms
• The Swag Barn: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn - Use code BHM10 to get 10% off your order.