top of page
  • Clare Long

Do you really want your horse to be “Broken”?...

(From Clare's article archives, Circa 2010-2015)


Don't you think it is time to change that word?

The connotations to the word 'broke' are unacceptable.

Why would you want to 'break' your horse?

Wouldn't you rather train him?

Or develop her?

How about educate?

Or 'work with'?

I'm certain you don't 'break' your dog when she's being trained.

Or pick him up from the trainer, expecting him to be 'well broke.'

I'm positive you don't break your child, or send her to school to be 'broken.'

Why is your horse any different?

In the olden days, most horses in the USA were broken when they were trained.

"Bucked out," made to be submissive, dominated.

Thank goodness for the introduction of 'Natural Horsemanship' in America.

Thank you Pat Parelli, John Lyons, and Ray Hunt.

They ushered in a new way of training of horses in America.

So...lets continue that idea, and use it in our wording,

in regard to training horses, particularly youngsters

I vote to abolish that archaic, mean, brutal word.

Please join me in replacing it, in our every day discussions about our four legged,

neighing best friends and companions.

I hope you enjoy working with your youngster today.

And please give him a pat for me as well, after a good training session.





bottom of page