Techniques for Breaking a Horse

Breaking a horse can be very challenging but also very rewarding. Because of the size and strength of a horse, breaking horses can be dangerous if not carried out in the correct way and without knowledge and respect. There are many different methods used to break a horse, some are considered better than others and this guide outlines some of the basic horse breaking methods.

How To Break a Horse

Groundwork: This is one of the first steps in breaking a horse. It involved training the horse so that it accepts the various necessary items of tack such as the saddle and bridle as well as some of the basic commands. It involves working the horse on the ground in a pen using things such as a surcingle, whip, cavesson and side reins amongst other things.

This method of breaking a horse is considered one of the best, despite the extra time and patience it requires because it results in a horse that is very prepared for a rider and is generally well behaved. This kind of training is the key to a steady and successful horse.

Horse Whispering: Another popular modern method, this way of breaking a horse involves taking the horse into a round pen and spending several hours working with him. During these hours, the horse is bridled, saddled and ridden and can prove very successful because it works with the horse’s natural behaviour rather than against it.

This method is a successful way to break a horse but it needs to be repeated daily for a long time otherwise the horse will forget the training. It is possible to see positive effects from this horse breaking method within a few hours and with sufficient time and patience, can result in a very well behaved and trained horse.

Breaking a Horse: The term ‘break a horse’ now refers to most types of horse training but it is this method that gave it that name and literally means to break the horse’s spirit. It is now considered a very cruel and old fashioned method of producing results.

The horse is roped, choked and thrown the floor. Once on the floor, it is tied up and saddled and then untied and released. It is then chased until exhaustion, at which point a rider will mount the horse and keep riding until all of the horse’s fighting spirit has gone and it is ‘broken’. When the horse is completely exhausted it accepts the rider and learns basic commands. This method of breaking a horse is considered very cruel and is no longer in wide use. The horse learns to fear humans rather than work with them and trust them.