Adulting with Horses

Natalie Keller Reinert and Heather Wallace on Horses, Photo Shoots, and Capturing the ChaosFrom a senior-dog emergency and a house that seems to manufacture water to a horse photo shoot featuring a self-appointed “bad boy,” Natalie and Heather cover a lot of ground before getting to the main event: how to take better photos of horses (and the people who love them).They also talk creative confidence, social media overwhelm, candid moments, and why you don’t need to be a professional photographer to document life at the barn. You mostly need good light, a steady hand, and someone willing to trade filming duties.In this episodeHeather shares the decidedly unglamorous reality of caring for her senior dog—including an emergency vet visit, a raging UTI, and a clean-up operation that required open windows and a hose.Natalie and Heather discuss cold houses, damp weather, and the suspiciously impressive amount of water a dehumidifier can pull from the air.Heather gets an unexpected celebrity moment at the pharmacy, with Steve Van Zandt nearby and a disposable Kodak camera.Natalie explains how she uses Discord with Patreon to create organized, searchable community spaces—and how a writing sprint can still end with her quietly working alone in her own room.The conversation takes a snack break for TikTok recipes and a low-cleanup Rice Krispie treat method.Heather recounts a horse photo shoot with Delight and Ferrous, featuring contrasting “bad boy” and “prince” vibes, a loose dog, and horses who took their roles seriously.Natalie and Heather share practical photo tips: try candid shots, leave room to crop, watch the light, and use video when you’re not sure you’ll catch the perfect moment.They talk about building confidence through practice—whether you’re photographing horses, writing books, or learning something new.Heather and Natalie reflect on finding their spark again, sharing the load, and being kinder to yourself while life is busy.Photo tips from the episodeTake video when the moment is moving fast. You can choose a frame later rather than hoping one still photo catches the action.Leave space around your subject. A little extra room makes it easier to crop and adjust the composition.Look for candid moments. The best keepsake may be your horse being your horse, not everyone holding a perfect pose.Trade filming duties with a barn friend. Ask before your ride, then offer to return the favor.Keep practicing. The first few shots may be warm-ups. That’s fine—everyone starts somewhere.Links:www.adultingwithhorsespodcast.comInstagram @adultingwithhorsespodcastTwitter @AdultingHorsesFacebook Group, The Clubhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultingwithhorsespodcast/Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcastThank you for being a little weird with us, horse girl! If you like what you hear make sure to subscribe to the podcast on your player of choice, join our Adulting with Horses Clubhouse on Facebook where you can become part of the show! Also, it’s a great place to meet other horse crazy women. Thanks and see you next time!If you like what you hear but want a little more, become a Patreon member for extra bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content with video, and more! https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcast

Ten Things We Will Never Do With HorsesNatalie Keller Reinert and Heather Wallace kick off with storm prep, sleep deprivation, weather chaos, and horse life before turning the conversation into a playful but surprisingly practical list episode. The main focus is on the horse-related things they refuse to do, from unsafe riding habits to poor welfare choices, with a mix of personal standards, trainer ethics, and a lot of honesty. In this episode, Natalie and Heather each share five things they will never do with horses, and they explain the reasoning behind each one. It is part comedy, part horse welfare conversation, and part “we are absolutely serious about this.”Links:www.adultingwithhorsespodcast.comInstagram @adultingwithhorsespodcastTwitter @AdultingHorsesFacebook Group, The Clubhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultingwithhorsespodcast/Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcastThank you for being a little weird with us, horse girl! If you like what you hear make sure to subscribe to the podcast on your player of choice, join our Adulting with Horses Clubhouse on Facebook where you can become part of the show! Also, it’s a great place to meet other horse crazy women. Thanks and see you next time!If you like what you hear but want a little more, become a Patreon member for extra bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content with video, and more! https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcast

“It’s a great little taste of what it’s like to use the engine of the horse.”Heather Wallace and Natalie Keller Reinert catch up on the realities of riding horses in fall weather, horse training, and the realities of building a creative career. They chat about everything that moves, from horse behavior in changing weather to the behind-the-scenes work of getting books into the world. They also share a few personal wins, including riding progress, new covers, and meaningful reader feedback.Key topicsHeather Wallace and Natalie Keller Reinert compare notes on how horses change with the weather, especially when fall air makes them feel lighter, more forward, and easier to collect.They discuss the difference between a horse being hot because of weather versus being hot because of tension or frustration—and why that distinction matters for riding and safety.Natalie shares that she has started cantering on purpose again, and Heather describes similar progress with Ferrous as both riders work back toward fitness and confidence.The conversation gets into how smart, anticipatory horses need variety in training, with repetitive exercises often making them bored or too clever for their own good.Heather explains how IEA riding shaped her as a rider because it forced her to adapt quickly to different horses, and how that experience still influences her confidence and horsemanship.They talk about the value of riding school horses and unfamiliar horses as a way to improve, and Natalie considers getting back into that format next year.They discuss reader support, reviews, and the emotional boost of hearing that a book or podcast episode mattered to someone.Natalie shares frustrations about Goodreads reviews and the idea of a book “breaking containment”—reaching readers who expected something else and judge it unfairly.Heather and Natalie reflect on writing for specific audiences, including younger readers, horse girls, and cozy romance readers who want comfort and familiarity.They wrap up with updates on Equine Affaire, new paperback editions, upcoming releases, and the importance of bookstores and libraries for horse books.Links:www.adultingwithhorsespodcast.comInstagram @adultingwithhorsespodcastTwitter @AdultingHorsesFacebook Group, The Clubhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultingwithhorsespodcast/Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcastThank you for being a little weird with us, horse girl! If you like what you hear make sure to subscribe to the podcast on your player of choice, join our Adulting with Horses Clubhouse on Facebook where you can become part of the show! Also, it’s a great place to meet other horse crazy women. Thanks and see you next time!If you like what you hear but want a little more, become a Patreon member for extra bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content with video, and more! https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcast

On this episode of the Adulting with Horses podcast, Heather and Natalie talk about Hormonal Rage, Cancellation Policies, and the Perks of Living Apart TogetherNatalie Keller Reinert and Heather Wallace cover everything from respecting time and cancellation fees to the very practical realities of running a life, a business, and a family at full speed. What starts as a rant about a client trying to game a schedule turns into a bigger conversation about boundaries, burnout, hormonal chaos, travel, and what kind of partner actually fits into a busy life.Key topicsNatalie and Heather break down why freelancers and independent contractors need cancellation fees, card-on-file policies, and clear onboarding rulesThe conversation widens into a broader rant about people not respecting other people’s time, especially when they know betterHeather talks about being exhausted, burned out, and close to a breakdown after weeks and months without a real day offNatalie and Heather discuss how they both tend to stay busy on purpose because slowing down makes room for thoughts and responsibilities they would rather avoidThe chat turns playful and candid as they talk about hormones, PMS, spotting, and how much mood can change with timing and foodHeather explains why she is not interested in dating right now, especially if it would require giving up autonomy, travel, or solo timeThey land on a shared preference for unconventional relationships, including living apart together, separate houses, or arrangements that preserve independenceNatalie shares that she’s deep into writing a sweet cowboy romance and prefers sensitive men in fiction and real lifeHeather describes the kind of man she finds attractive: protective, emotionally aware, and supportive without being controllingThe episode ends with lighter banter about travel, cruise planning, vacation anticipation, and Heather’s accidental concert ticket predicamentFor our special bonus episode on trailer horror stories that really happened, make sure to join our Patreon!Links:www.adultingwithhorsespodcast.comInstagram @adultingwithhorsespodcastTwitter @AdultingHorsesFacebook Group, The Clubhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultingwithhorsespodcast/Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcastThank you for being a little weird with us, horse girl! If you like what you hear make sure to subscribe to the podcast on your player of choice, join our Adulting with Horses Clubhouse on Facebook where you can become part of the show! Also, it’s a great place to meet other horse crazy women. Thanks and see you next time!If you like what you hear but want a little more, become a Patreon member for extra bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content with video, and more! https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcast

Hey horse girls, happy bonus day! In this episode of AWH Clubhouse LIVE, we (Heather Wallace, Natalie Keller Reinert, and Ashley K. Winch) dive into the whirlwind of life that comes with juggling responsibilities, friendships, and, of course, our beloved horses. Heather shares the chaos of her kids starting school, with sports activities colliding in a perfect storm of scheduling madness. We're joined by special guest and IRL author and podcast bestie, Sarah Welk Baynum! Introducing the Not So Safe Word Before bringing in their guest, the trio introduces a fun twist: a not-so-safe word. "Our not so safe word for today's episode is bestie," Ashley announces, prompting laughter and a toast. Every time the word is mentioned, a sip is taken, adding a playful element to the discussion. In a world where life can feel overwhelming, this episode serves as a reminder to cherish the moments of joy, laughter, and companionship. Take a moment to unwind, sip your drink, and join us for this delightful chat. Until next time, keep celebrating the beautiful mess that is life! For more hearty laughs and engaging stories, tune into the full video episode on our Patreon!Links:www.adultingwithhorsespodcast.comInstagram @adultingwithhorsespodcastTwitter @AdultingHorsesFacebook Group, The Clubhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adultingwithhorsespodcast/Patreon https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcastThank you for being a little weird with us, horse girl! If you like what you hear make sure to subscribe to the podcast on your player of choice, join our Adulting with Horses Clubhouse on Facebook where you can become part of the show! Also, it’s a great place to meet other horse crazy women. Thanks and see you next time!If you like what you hear but want a little more, become a Patreon member for extra bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content with video, and more! https://www.patreon.com/AdultingWithHorsesPodcast