Don't break it, back it.

JJones said:
Agree, people still use the word breaking, but mostly times have changed on how its done thankfully, it just the word people grew up using, i use backing myself.
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It isn't the word that bothers me. Its attitudes like this.

People who use terms like starting and idolise Buck Brannaman didn't change the way traditional horsemen break horses, they emulated and publicised it. It may be more cowboy stylee - but being kind, calm and giving a horse a good start in life isn't actually a new thing.
 
I can't use quotes but someone's said about 'breaking in' traditionally being about breaking a horses spirit. What rubbish!

I'm afraid that the influx of popular cowboys have infiltrated the younger minds who have less than 20 years experience of horses with some tall stories about how things used to be in order to sell their own ideas more profitably. Their stories are, on the whole, more suited to the US than the UK.

Good horse trainers have always been good and many horses have been happily broken in in the past without being literally broken in body or spirit. I've seen bad trainers at work too, they're simply bad trainers with no clue as to how to break a horse properly or kindly. And they're every bit as bad if they call it 'starting'. As others have said, it's not the term it's the action that counts.


On a different tangent, what's with 'de-worming' these days? I've wormed horses for years and years and continue to do so. Why are we suddenly having to make it clear that worming a horses means you're getting rid of his worms, not giving them to him? Did someone not understand???
 
Been thinking about all this, as you do. Big mistake thinking that what the likes of Brannaman does is new. I'd have thought that being kind and calm and taking the time it takes to give a horse a good start in life is certainly not a new thing.
However, I wasn't really looking for a controversy over which style is best, because there is so much diversity within both, meaningful comparison is impossible to achieve, unless you know very little about one or other.
 
I suppose like lots of words it has different meaning to different people depending on their experiences associated with the word.

Personally I think the term 'breaking in' has become outdated and associated with force and harshness and little thought for the horse in many peoples minds. I prefer starting and backing myself much more descriptive and accurate. As has been pointed out though, it is just a term, it's our interpretation that is the important thing.
 
I agree, PR and don't want to start an argument. I am a suprising fluffy horseperson in real life.

BUT I think there is a tendency to think much of this stuff is new and that the old stuff is bad and that is infuriating. I watched Buck, thought it was wonderful, my son went straight off and taught his young horse to imitate his steps which was really sweet.

I also found it fascinating that the principle of moving a young horse on a circle away from you on a short lunge, in exactly the way he does, is identical to what I've been doing for 40 years. My teacher was largely my mum, and hers was her father who worked shires.
 
misterjay said:
I must admit to cringing inwardly when ever I talk to non horsey people about which youngsters I'm breaking at the moment.

Being of a 'show condition' build myself, it doesn't help :D

Starting or backing sounds much friendlier.
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This cracked me up...lmao :D:D:D:D:D:D Thank you for the biggest smile Ive had all week..!!!:p

I use the term breaking...ooops, though I have to admit I do much prefer starting etc its just a habit to say my horses are broken in....:rolleyes:
 
Interesting thread and views, as usual a range of different points all valid!

I am old enough to remember 'breaking' being a bit of long reigning, then put on saddle and ride round till it gives in! I saw many welsh ponies treated this way, and I did not like it then, and today the word 'breaking in' seems wrong to me. I prefer backing, which is the term used in our family.

So when people ask what is going to happen to my yearlings, I tell them when they are old enough they will go back to the charity which owns them for schooling and training to become children's ponies, and non horsey people seem to understand this!!
 
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 backed my youngest last week, but I will be breaking him in next summer... He doesn't care what I call it, he only cares how I do it.
 
JFTD said:
This. I backed my youngest last week, but I will be breaking him in next summer... He doesn't care what I call it, he only cares how I do it.
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I agree its how its done. I dont remember years ago it being cruel where I worked and cannot recall all the problems that seem to be out there? It was done slowly etc and bit of bridle, bitted, bits of saddles(ie no saddle) roller etc and add on, sandbags(I even remember a big heavy dolly being used for one horse who couldnt quite get legs at side). All could be led or led off. They were all sane sensible and the yard owner was old type 70+ and kind to them(this was about 40 years ago. Individualised breaking, backing etc etc & some of this way was used on ours. Not saying it is done this style now. But no fancy gadgets etc, just basic stuff.
 
I like the terms 'backing' and 'starting'. At the other end of the timeline, I loathe the Western term 'finished', as in 'a finished horse' - it has alll the connotations either of a horse that is done in and broken, rather than 'broke', or worse, a machine - a 'push button' horse. The number of times I hear a rider say 'I'm finding the 'buttons' on my horse' just makes me cringe.

It is refreshing to see trainers and riders who can take horses that have ended their initial training and improve them, and improve them - a 'finished horse' still has a long developmental journey ahead of it in good hands.
 
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