Don't break it, back it.

Pale Rider

Pale Rider

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Just a slight hangup of mine. I wish people wouldn't talk about breaking horses.
Breaking implies the physical and mental domination of the horse and destruction of his spirit. I know some do that, but the majority of us just back horses without breaking them.
 
xspiralx said:
It is the action which matters, not the terminology.
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This. It dont matter what you call it, backing, breaking, starting. Even the best word can mean different things.

So I get on a horse with no groundwork and hammer the hell out of it in a small space so it cant get away or tie its head in so it cant fight back but call it starting and its ok?

Nope method more over terminology for me :)
 
You still "break in" shoes. Last time I checked, that didn't actually mean breaking them. That would be no use!
To me, it's the same thing. You're working the horse until it fits and is comfortable, not actually breaking it.


ETA - what the heck is with the "thing" thing? How annoying!
 
Well we broke my sisters 3yo this year, although I can assure you in involved more carrots than sticks, and his feet stayed firmly on the floor throughout :)
 
Pale Rider said:
I know it's what you do that really counts not what you call it, I just hate hearing the term 'breaking'.
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Its a old term I started my working life on a breaking yard but backing is a much better term or starting but it does not really matter to me was it that awful video that prompted you to start this thread , Someone deserved to be broken and it was not the horse.
 
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I hate the word breaking. I'm currently starting my youngster and when people ask if I've broken her in yet it makes me cringe. I much prefer the word backing. I agree with PR - breaking makes it sound like you break the horse's spirit - it doesn't indicate trust to me.
 
I don't like the term breaking either, I say backing but starting is good. Obviously doesn't really matter but especially with non horsey people I think they are not always aware we don't do things like in the wild west these days (well, certain YouTube videos excepted...) So makes it a bit clearer!
 
I have to agree with Palerider, and if we believe that language informs thought, which I do, then I think the terminology used is very important.
 
Horses were traditionally 'broken in', to use the correct teminology. Therefore, 'breakng in' would be correct, also, at least in terms of terminology.

I start horses for some people, and I break them in for others. My methds don't vary much.

I tend to think that starting and backing are part of the breaking in process.
 
Pale Rider said:
I know it's what you do that really counts not what you call it, I just hate hearing the term 'breaking'.
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Agree ^^ I hate the expression. It harks back to the good ole days when it was believed that a horses had to have it's spirit broken so it could be ridden.

Backing or starting describes what happens ( should happen) better anyhow.
 
I guess this thread is here because of my thread.

I have never heard before that the term break in or broken in could be seen as offensive, but from reading the posts on here I can see why this has come about.

Me (old school?) have always used this term and sorry if it offended any of you.

I agree that its the method that is important and would never allow anyone to 'break' my horses, it is very important that they have a very good start hence why I was looking on here and researching for the best I could get.
I have backed/started/brought on horses which have all gone onto have successful ridden lives, never had their spirit crushed or been beaten in to submission.

Modern terms/moving on with the terminology I guess ?

Thanks for enlightening me and sorry for offending anyone
 
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I use it in the same way I use lots of words I grew up with, from habit. Eg I often call hifi lite, chop. And last week called a turnout a new Zealand. It's just a word to me. It's what you do that counts.
 
littlelegs said:
I use it in the same way I use lots of words I grew up with, from habit. Eg I often call hifi lite, chop. And last week called a turnout a new Zealand. It's just a word to me. It's what you do that counts.
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Yes I agree with this. The actual word doesn't cause the behaviour of folk like those imbeciles on the Tick Tock threads.

I was telling the saddler I thought my mare had been "beating" her previous owner as its something we use in sheep dogs ie a young dog beat you (and probably caused merry hell to the poor sheep) and the saddler thought I meant the horse had been beaten :rolleyes: could be a Scottish sort of thing to say as well. But it doesn't mean beaten with a stick it means beaten in a race!:o
 
Rostor, nothing to do with your thread, not read it yet, you've nothing to apologize for.

Goldenstar, yes maybe, I'd just watched the video clip.

I was brought up talking about breaking, and breaking in, never liked the term.
 
YorksG said:
I have to agree with Palerider, and if we believe that language informs thought, which I do, then I think the terminology used is very important.
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Absolutely. Language defines our reality as well as describing it. A change of terminology can engender a change of attitude.
 
you see, i know the origins of the use of the term breaking in, but to me ive always thought of it like breaking in leather- you wear it in gently, until it fits you the way you like it- bit like shoes, they start off shiny and new, and fitting you ok, then as your foot and the leather work together, they kinda fit around each other and soften, and make a comfy team.

just read that back, and it sounds awful, but i know what i mean lol- hopefully it makes *some* sense

agree completely though, it isnt the term, its the actions which matter. i use broken and breaking more than backing, and ill admit i never use the expression starting
 
I am currently starting/breaking in/backing/insert adjective/ a mare, but as most of my friends aren't horse orientated when I talk about the process I am 'training her to ride'. Saves a lot of confusion.
 
emma.is said:
I always thought backing was getting the horse used to haveing a person on board and breaking was getting him used to working
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This. I know someone that send their horse away for breaking in and got a backed horse subsequently ruined it(they read a book) they paid £1k for backing. They didnt understand the difference and couldnt understand why it wouldnt move forward etc it had just been sat on. Breaking is from my understanding the old fashioned term(basics both backed and ridden away walk, trot, canter and ready to do more ) . Not sure if starting a horse would be clearer either. Perhaps ask if buying.

And then there is green.........
 
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