How do you feel about the term "broken" ?

Question

Out of interest, how do you all feel about the term "broken" when referring to youngstock? Personally I prefer 'backed' though I will say I do sometimes use the term broken.

Just wondering :-) I know some people are pretty against it, and I can see why. When I used to school and produce (including starting youngstock) I always made sure to say "backed" when discussing things with less experienced (or total beginner) horsepeople who asked me what I did etc. etc. This was because the term "broken" sounds so harsh!

Anyway, fire away!

Answer 1

Its just a word- to late to change it now, every ones using it! Anyway, people are probably against it because broken makes it sound like animal cruelty. Anyway, if you told some people who knew nothing about horses that you've broken your horse, some people may thing something has happened and might come out with terms such as "Have you called a vet?" "oh my god!" and "How could you do that to your own horse!" , so some people are against it because of what others think.

Answer 2

Its all symantics...

My mom used to blow a gut at someone saying broken.

We are all from different areas of the continent.. broken doesn't mean the negative connotation that ppl apply to it here.  

It doesn't bother me what ppl call it.. as long as the horse is what they say it is ;)

Answer 3

It's such an old term it now means, trained to ride, not broken as they used to be, so I don't have a problem with other people using it that way. But I never say it, I always say 'trained' or 'started' if a youngster, because a horse is never truly broken, not the way most people think they are, they still have minds of their own. Also if somebody describes a horse as 'well broken'. I take it to mean suitable for a novice, which it didn't always used to, so it's a bit ambiguous

Answer 4

I'm fine with it because I'm used to using that term to mean a backed horse. Though, beginners do sometimes have a funny look on their face when you say the horse is broken.

I hope that maked sense, it did to me in my bubble!

Answer 5

I agree with you and see nothing wrong with that term if it is what people choose to use.

Answer 6

I don't think about it too much, unless I'm around "non horse people".  Then I'll tend to use the word "started" instead, just because it is a littler easier to understand.  A lot of non horse people have some pretty widespread misconceptions about horses and riding (whips and crops are for beating the horse to make it go faster, spurs are to hurt the horse into moving, etc.)  I hate to perpetuate any of those, and I try and clear them up when I can!

Answer 7

I don't see the necessity of being politically correct when it comes to horses.  I grew up using the terms "breaking a horse" and referring to a trained horse as "well-broke"...I think the terms are universally understood to mean "trained" in horseman's vocabulary.  So why do we need to change them?

The word "backed" seems to me a British term, and while I understand it means the same thing, when I see a question titled "how do you back a horse?" it is confusing because the question could mean "how do you train a horse?" or it could mean "how do you get a horse to move in reverse?".

I'm sticking with "broken".  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  The old terms work just fine.

Answer 8

OK folks. Lets not get hippie about this. The term broke has been used for centuries. Let us keep some tradition. Who cares if it sounds "harsh" lets keep some tradition with our horses. Parrelli, and many of the other "Natural Horsemen" have changed enough terms to make people feel better. Lets keep some things. Ok?

Answer 9

For non-equestrians the term is going to sound harsh because when they hear the word "broke" they immediately think that the horse was started in a harsh manner or trained against it's will. For equestrians it's no different than saying green, started, backed, or wet blanket.

Answer 10

I don't like it, but "backed" isn't much better.  But those are the terms, and they are a part of history, so that is that.  It really doesn't bother me that much.

Answer 11

In this new politically correct world we live in the term is very outdated (hopefully) Most trainers no longer "break" horses.  This term was used in the old days when cowboys would bring up a string and by then end of the day they would all be broken to the saddle. I prefer "Train" or "Start".

Answer 12

I use it. I break & train my horses. I see "backed" meaning just sat upon the horse. To "break" my horse is to break it in like a pair of boots. Just my 2 cents.

*******edit*******

Not ALL old time cowboys broke their horses in a mean manner!!!! That is a awful misconception!!!!!

Answer 13

I'm so used to it i haven't really thought about it to be honest!!!! i say backed for when the horse has had someone sit on him and broken is a horse that has been backed several times ansd is now riding away so to speak so i find it easiest to have "broken" in my vocab so that i can differenciate between a "just backed" horse (sat on once/twice/a few times at the very start) and one who is "just broken" (still a totally novice and green horse but now used to having a rider on and would be comfortable in walk/trot/poss canter and basic ridden instructions!)  i have just never really considered this question - quite interesting but i think i will continue to cheerfully use "broken" myself!!!

Answer 14

I prefer 'backed' though  

Answer 15

The word broken when applied to young horses is actually a shortened version of 'broken in' as in the way you break in a new pair of shoes. It is supposed to mean that the horse is still new to all the things that we expect horses to do such as carry a rider or pull a cart. When you get a new pair of shoes, you have to wear them awhile to get the leather to soften and to get them to mold to your feet. Similarly, you have to work a young horse for awhile to get him used to his new job.

Over the years the expression has gotten shortened and corrupted to 'broken' which does make it sound like you break his spirit and some 'horsepeople' take the corrupted expression quite literally.

I agree that it sounds harsh, but its generally accepted to mean a horse that has learned to carry a rider and accept basic commands. I like the term 'green,' but some people don't know what that means.

Answer 16

hmmm never really thought about it ive always said broken but now that you bring it up ur right it does sound a little....off i mean maybe in the cowboy days wen they would break wild horses they said broken cuz they broke their spirit...not their happiness,being or personality but just their wild side so they were manageable it would have made sense but now that we are breeding horses in "captivity" per say i think backed should be more often used...they are refering to two different things so u cant consider them as one. but yes broken sounds harsh but its like wen kids are sent to school TECHNICALLY they are breaking us from our imagination and freedom and to be condemed to a cold room with tile floors and forced to learn the FACTS of life taking away our imagination and freedom since we must obide by a schedule...sorry got off ona random rant...cant u tell how much i hate school haha...but that is my opinion on things lol

Answer 17

i usually say "she's well broke". i don't see the word "broke/n" as a harsh word or they've been shattered or injured. i only see it as shattered when dealing with objects. "broke" in horse lingo to me has a completely different definition than "the lamp is broken and shattered". even though that's true, it just seems like completely different galaxies to me. when i talk to beginners/ street people i say "trained." anyways, i don't care what term is used, they both sound fine to me!  

Answer 18

i don't really know... i was actually thinking about that the other day. i figure, it just depends on who you're talking to. if you're talking to someone inexperienced or new to the horse world i can understand why you wouldn't want to say "i broke that horse myself" or "that horse is dead broke" or w/e. but it seems more.... natural to say "broken" or "broke" than "backed" to me. i usually say "trained" or "fresh" when talking to my friends because most of them i wouldn't even consider "beginners" and those are just common terms. i dunno, i mean really.... i agree that it's just like breaking in a new pair of boots and it really has been corrupted and people may take it the wrong way but that's how it's done. that's what's happening. not literally, of course.

Answer 19

I've never really thought about this before. Maybe it is one of those words that should get changed. Although it will take decades to do, I think I'll start trying to say "backed" more often now.