Numpty question...

[blitznbobs]

the question I've never been brave enough to ask before today

What's the difference between backing and breaking in???? Ive backed horses and carried on their schooling but when is a horse 'broken in'???

Blitz

 

[wilsha]

hehe i thought i t was the same thing lol

 

[[69117]]

To me a horse who has been "backed" is one that has been long reined etc. and has had a rider sitting up straight on their back, and been led around with said rider on board, by someone on the floor.
If a horse has been "backed and ridden away" I would expect them to be comfortable with a rider mounting from a block without assistance, and to understand the basic aids of walk on, turn right, turn left and halt.
If a horse has been "broken" I would expect them to have hacked out, done some basic schooling and pole work and be ready for someone to bring on and develop all these things further.

 

[thinlizzy]

Its a remark translated in a different way to different people, im my opinion backing is a rider sitting on horse
breaking in is long reining, lunging and riding in areana, and i would say hacking out .
but it really does mean different things to differant people tbh

 

[celia]

I've always though a horse that has been backed has had tack on and been sat on + led around - just the very basics. Whereas a horse that has been broken is ridden in all three paces, used to the aids etc. I think some people do use them interchangably though and I think backed is a much nicer sounding term than broken so occasionally use that when I mean properly broken!