Equestrian Mums Club

Ever stood at the end of a hose thinking… this is absolutely chucking it away?! 💦

This week, we’re joined by Belle Richardson - horse mum, mum of boys, problem-solver, and co-founder of SealStop. She's turned a very real yard frustration into a simple idea... that’s now helping save water across the equestrian world and beyond.

From NHS radiography to muddy gateways and flooded yards, Belle’s story is one of spotting a problem in real life... and then actually doing something about it.

This episode is for you if…
• you’ve ever winced at how much water gets wasted on the yard
• you’re juggling horses, kids, and a never-ending to-do list
• you love a practical fix that actually makes life easier
• or you’ve got an idea bubbling away but no “perfect” time to start

We chat about:
• Belle’s unexpected journey from radiographer to inventor
• Why the best ideas often come from frustration, not funding
• The reality of water use in horse care (it’s more than you think)
• Building a business around family life... not the other way round
• and how small, community-led ideas can create really BIG impact

Plus, we obviously address the honest juggle of making it all work when life is already full… and why waiting for the “right moment” might be the thing holding you back.

Because sometimes the smallest changes - a tweak, a valve, a rethink - can make the biggest difference.
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Pssst! If you love this episode, share it with a fellow horse mum who’s always last to turn the tap off! 😉
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Want to know more about SealStop? You can visit their website here.

Want to see more from Belle? Check out the SealStop Instagram here.

What does it really look like to raise a rider?
In this episode, we sit down with Laura Cadwallader - the mum behind @at_home_with_ivy_and_ponies - to talk about the beautiful, chaotic, emotional reality of pony life with children. From babies on the boob whilst showing(!) to the tough decisions no parent wants to make, this is the unfiltered truth behind growing up in the horse world.
Because raising children around horses isn’t just a hobby… it’s a lifestyle. And one that asks a lot of us as parents - especially when you might not have caught the horse bug yourself!

In this episode, we cover:
How riding becomes part of family life from the very beginning

The emotional reality of pony ownership (and letting go)

The financial juggle behind the scenes of “pony life”

Navigating risk, safety, and parental instinct

Feeling like an outsider... and finding your people

Why horses shape resilient, empathetic humans

The power of community when you’re figuring it out as you go

If you’re in it, thinking about it, or watching it unfold… remember, you’re not alone.
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P.s. If this episode resonated, you can support EMC in a few simple ways:
Follow or rate the podcast

Share the episode with someone who might need it

Or support the project with a 'coffee', if you’re able... ☕

Every listen, share, and quiet show of support helps keep EMC independent, accessible, and rooted in real experience.
Thank you for being here. We hope that this continues to be a space of real resource, relatability and joy for you.

Ever feel like you're juggling horses, kids, and a mounting pile of guilt? Welcome to the wild ride of equestrian parenthood... with a sprinkle of honesty, humour, and a dash of chaos.
In this 'On the Buckle' submission, Katie shares her recent "horse-accident-turned-life-moment," proving that "being on the buckle" is less about relaxation and more about surviving with a smile.
In this episode, she talks...
The real meaning behind "on the buckle" (spoiler: it’s not about relaxing)
How a recent horse injury turned into an emotional rollercoaster (blood, guilt, and all)
The magic of acceptance... when life is splattered with surprises
Why giving 100% is a myth - and working out that’s okay

Resources & Links:
The EMC podcast with Sarah Elebert, Equitas
Equestrian Mums Club website - Share your stories and be part of the community

Connect with Katie:
⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn

And remember: Sometimes "on the buckle" just means hanging on tight and laughing (or trying to!!) through the chaos. You’re doing great - blood, sweat, tears, and all!

What does it really look like to juggle children, horses and your own headspace?
In this episode, Katie sits down with Sarah Elebert (COO of Equitas) for an honest conversation about mental health, guilt, ambition and the pressure to be “coping” in equestrian life.
This one’s for you if you’ve ever:
- Felt stretched between the yard and nursery drop-off
- Missed the rider you used to be
- Carried quiet guilt about not doing enough (in any area!)
- Wondered how everyone else makes it look seamless
We talk vulnerability, comparison, changing expectations, and the small “tack hacks” that make life with horses and little ones more manageable.
Because raising horses and humans together isn’t tidy... oh no! But... it is powerful.
If it resonates, share it with another equestrian mum who needs the reminder.
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P.s. If this episode resonated, you can support EMC in a few simple ways:
Follow or rate the podcast

Share the episode with someone who might need it

Or support the project with a ', if you’re able... ☕

Every listen, share, and quiet show of support helps keep EMC independent, accessible, and rooted in real experience.
Thank you for being here. We hope it continues to be a safe, fun and real space of resource for you 💙

This episode is a pause... and an invitation.
Recorded as a solo episode, this episode sees Katie reflecting honestly on why the Equestrian Mums Club exists, how it’s grown beyond (just!) a podcast, and what it’s becoming... for equestrian parents navigating horses, children, work, identity, and exhaustion.
It’s about the real stuff we don’t often say out loud. Whether that's the... mental load. The guilt. The joy. The feeling of being “between versions” of yourself.
We're visiting;
Why EMC was never about hosts, polish, or performance

The emotional reality of balancing horses and parenthood

The invisible labour behind community-led projects

Why honesty matters more than expertise

What EMC has achieved so far (often quietly)

Where the community could go next, and how YOU can be part of it

If EMC has ever made you feel seen, steadier, or less alone... maybe this episode explains why.
New here? It shows you exactly where you fit.
🎧 Press play. Stay awhile.
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P.s. If this episode resonated, you can support EMC in a few simple ways:
Follow or rate the podcast

Share the episode with someone who might need it

Or support the project with a 'Buy Me a Coffee donation', if you’re able... ☕

Every listen, share, and quiet show of support helps keep EMC independent, accessible, and rooted in real experience.
Thank you for being here. We hope it continues to be a safe, fun and real space of resource for you 💙