Horsecoursesonline.com authors Don and Eleanor Blazer have an interesting article on How Broke Is Your Horse? - good question.
(Of course, this is where I studied for my equine studies degree. I highly recommend it!)
A quote from their enewsletter:
"How Broke Is Your Horse?" asks Rod Miller.
It's a question we're always asking ourselves. (Isn't that why we show horses?)
Miller has taken the question and turned it into the International Performance Horse Development Association, a fun way to improve your horsemanship, get help from training experts, advance your own training techniques and enjoy big prizes while competing in virtual shows at specific levels of ability.
New and just getting started, I'm betting IPHDA takes off…it's competition and education in one package, plus the advantages of membership discounts, prizes, and interaction with other horsemen from around the world.
Check it out at www.IPHDA.com"
Don brings up a good point. That's why I show - to test myself to see how my training program is coming along. I compete with myself or rather the last time I showed a particular horse.
It makes it more fun and less stressful.
I know Rod Miller. I believe he's Canadian. He used to show reining horses here in Ontario years ago before moving states side.
Sounds like an interesting idea. I'm going to check it out.
Anyone else heard of IPHDA? Let us know!
Broke vs. Started Under Saddle
Of course, as some of you know, I prefer to use the term 'started under saddle' rather than broke. I never did like the term even before the advent of the new paradigm of effective horsemanship. To break a horse... sounds medieval.
Onward and Upward!
Reinersue
©KISS Reiners
Hello Sue, thanks for your interest in IPHDA. I wanted to address your aversion to the wording to break a horse, I agree breaking is a term that can sound medievil.
ReplyDeleteBut isnt the english language fun when we can talk about a green broke horse or a kid broke horse or a really broke horse or even a husband broke horse and not interpret the type of training involved in getting that horse broke as breaking :o)
Rod
Sue and Rod: it's funny that we use the terms, Break a horse, Train a horse...actually all we do is learn to communicate with a horse...a horse can do everything we ever ask it to do by the time it's an hour old. We eventually learn to communicate with it and ask it to perform and it does so even though most of the time we're still getting in its way. best to you both, don blazer
ReplyDeleteHay Rod! How are you? The last time I saw you was at the NRHA futurity years ago. Gosh, I'd have to think when that was.
ReplyDeleteSo true. So true about the english language. I write a monthly column in TheRider magazine (remember that one?) so I know about being careful with my choice of words.
Good luck with your association! Hope it does well. I will put a link on this page.
Take care.
Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!
Susan
Hay Don! Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteYes, it really is about learning to communicate with the horse so we can ask them to do something together.
Thanks for bringing that to everyone's attention.
Happy Holidays. Say hi to Eleanor!
Susan
We are doing well Sue thanks for asking and I see you are doing well with the horses as well, I do remember the Rider and I read your last article and noticed that you also used the words really broke :o),
ReplyDeleteThe fun part about IPHDA is we do not promote any one way of training, we test the results of the training. You have heard there are many ways to skin a cat? :o) well there are many ways to train a horse being promoted and used. As long as the method is humane and not abusive IPHDA will promote and support all efforts to create more broke horses and better horsemanship.
After you have had time to check us out, consider becoming a member and we will promote your video coaching program on our tips and coaching page.
Our exhibitors are already starting friendly competitions based on who their coach is and what type of training they use:o)
Like someone said the proof is in the Pudding!
Take care and look forward to watching you and your students demonstrate how broke your horses are!
Rod
Yeah, that's funny and true Ron. I still use the 'broke' word as an old slang term as a reference so people understand better what I'm conveying. (A writer's need to be understood and expressive :)
ReplyDeleteI'm all for considering all types of humane, non-abusive methods of training/communicating as well. Great job!
I'll have a look at your website and let you know.
Thanks again.
Susan