Cowgirl to the Core
Horses are meant to be wild and spirited. A symbol of freedom, the horse embodies independence and elegance. Many admire the horse for their free spirit as they run and buck carelessly through the field. Some horses have a calmer demeanor, but I have yet to see a horse that doesn't romp and play when turned out in the field with their herd.
I'm not a fan of the terms "break" or "dead broke" when it comes to horses. I have used these words more times than I can probably count because they are a well-known word when it comes to horses.
Although the words are meant to describe a well-trained, predictable horse, I think there are better words to express the meaning. The word broken is defined as having been fractured or damaged, no longer in one piece or working order. Other definitions include having given up all hope, defeated, shattered and subdued. To break is to crush the emotional strength, spirit and resistance.
I don't know for sure when people started applying the words to horse training, but I do know it has been a common term for a long time. When I think of someone "breaking" a horse, I often think about the stereotypical old-time cowboy roughly throwing a saddle on a startled, unwilling horse and jumping on their back ready for a bucking brawl. The two fight each other either until the cowboy is thrown to the dirt, or the horse tires and submits to the rider's will.
There are plenty of cowboys today who are excellent horseman and strive to create a willing partner in their horses. Yet, the term is still used today and I can't help but make the comparison when I hear it.
A majority of horses are loyal and willing, but the horseman must strategically bring out those characteristics. In the situation I described, the horse is being trained out of fear. When there is no preparation, the horse feels ambushed. No matter how much your horse has been handled as a youngster, we have to remember that people are predators to horses. There's no way of knowing how they will react when a human climbs onto their back.
The trust of a horse is a delicate thing. I believe horses become much more trustworthy themselves when they know they can trust their handler. Establishing a good foundation built on trust and respect will make the climb into the saddle a much easier experience. Learning to introduce your horse to new things in a non-threatening way can strengthen your relationship with your horse.
Some people prefer a "dead broke" horse that ambles along, uninterested and unreactive to the things around them. I prefer horses with personality and spunk. They can be alert to their surroundings, but if I show them compassion and trust, they will look to me for the answer when scary things come up. A horse trained with fear will often react to the potential danger first instead of trusting that their rider will lead them to safety.
Best case scenario, a horse broken using fear and authority will become a spooky, untrusting horse but still give in to the rider. At worst, the horse could become unmanageable, untrusting and dangerous to handle. At that point, it can be difficult to start over. However, I have seen good trainers accomplish the task and regain a fearful horse's trust.
Horses are loyal creatures and prefer to stick with their herd. Show your horse respect and ask for it in return, and they will become loyal to you as well. Feed their curiosity and encourage them to find the right answer to your questions. I think you'll find that the results come much faster with this type of training. I would much rather have a horse that wants to be with me than a horse that is forced to be with me.
The horse's spirit is not meant to be broken. Their fire shouldn't be hidden under a bush. Let their personality shine through their training and they will give you a taste of that wild freedom.