Hamilton Lane Equestrian
200 256003 Coalmine Road T0L 1W4 Foothills, AB, Canada

A Well-Broke Horse. The last time I used the term ‘well-broke’ here on this page, I got into trouble. Oh, the outrage! Somewhere, some place, somebody told you ...that ‘broke horses were broken’. You jerked my chain a little bit and made me use other words that sounded better to your ears well-trained, finished, well-schooled, willing partners and all that. Thing is, none of these terms quite describes the horse I’ve been bettering, mentally and physically, throughout its lifetime. None of these words quite describes the work of art that is a well-broke horse. I may not convince you with what I’m going to say today but I want you to try really hard to listen and respect what I have the need to share. Where I come from, being well-broke is the highest form of compliment you can bestow upon a horse. Such a horse is mentally and physically soft and able to receive. He has worked quietly through the impatience, the stiff spots, the little resistances and resentments that come to any of us who is joined in this life with another. He resembles most closely a person who has spent their span of years working up through the levels of some form of martial arts. Ever ready, yet always serene, a well-broke horse possesses the body and mind of a trained dancer. What looks easy is the result of mindful devotion to training, without any skipped steps. Every single thing that is mastered is the key to what comes next. The well-broke horse has no holes. He becomes less ‘quirky’ as he goes on, though he may become evermore clear in his preferences. He is waiting for, but not anticipating, your next thought. As he advances, he may become more spirited-looking, if he is innately lazy, or more serene, if he is by nature highly strung. He becomes the horse for the hard days, the horse with which you also want to share your finest moments. He becomes the other half of you, if you are paying attention to what is really going on. Such a horse is ready to be caught. He loves his job. He is never herdbound or in the least concerned about being alone, for when he is with you, he is not alone. He knows when to stand his ground and when to follow. He is not moody, or afraid, or withdrawn, or brow-beaten, or taken for granted yet, he can always be relied upon. More and more, he is capable of carrying any level or sort of rider but if we are wise, less and less do we offer to share him. Those of you who know me, who follow Keystone, will be familiar with Cody. He is the horse who came to me in the aftermath of my stroke, when I was drooling and filled with dark thoughts. It was Cody who showed me that I was still meant to get up and out into the fresh air, to settle gratefully into my saddle and ride on. A well-broke horse when he came into my life, already aged eighteen, it became my goal to keep this horse improving, all the while he was mine. Lightness in the bridle would be matched with lightness to my leg. Softness in the poll under saddle would also be while he was being bridled, tied up and groomed. He will lead by his forelock, or by nothing at all other than my intent. He will drink when I lead him to water because he knows it pleases me. He will move over to the trailer fender when I am done cinching up the sidesaddle because he knows what comes next. Not naturally the friendliest, most energetic or submissive horse, Cody has become more sociable, forward and obliging as he has aged. Now twenty-seven, Cody and I both know that the last port lies straight ahead, though we still sail in open waters. This saddens me, beyond measure, but I take some pride in how well he can still use his whole body to do what he loves. The goal of good training is to strengthen the horse. Yes. Doing some quick mental math, I realize with a jolt that Cody has higher mileage than my current car. Still, the whole horse is strong and able. Whenever I’m on him, even if its to jingle horses in while wearing only his halter, I will ask for a few steps of shoulder-in or collected canter. The old man likes to show me that he knows all the things. He blows and chews after strengthening that spot, working the old kinks out. Then, we move on. I have tried before to retire this noble horse. Like all aloof horses who identify with their careers and so often, these are old cow horses losing his job did not go over well. Cody spiraled into an arthritic depression, without his earthly purpose. Day after day, as I rode other horses, his head hung and he grew very stiff. I realized that to not do what he does well, would speed up my beloved horse’s ending. And so, we went back into a modified sort of work. Moving cows around. Puttering. Checking fence. Ponying colts. Gathering the horses. He said thank you for needing me and I said thank you for teaching me to do better than to push you aside. He can ride out in a neck rope or a halter, a snaffle or all manner of bits. In fact, his bridles have very little bearing on how he goes. The old horse’s favourite, however, is the spade bit. Not because he needs this amount of iron to get stopped and turned but because he has earned the right to carry it. Like the advanced dressage horse softly clinking his bit and bradoon, the western bridle horse balances the spade, taking his signals from little more than the swing of the rein chains. I'll say that again. Why is he carrying this bit? Because, like the ceremonial sword, he has earned the right to do so. The last time I rode Cody, we were quietly putting cows through a gate. As one cow ducked out, as this same red cow does every single day, Cody moved parallel to her, their tracks like the tracks of a train. She flicked an ear, stopped and turned back to the opening. With a show of panache, Cody stopped, drew back and slowly rolled with her. He played his cricket just a little, as all good bridle horses do, and told me that he had done that turn particularly well. Yes, Cody. I smiled, You have done well. I put my hand on the crest that is not as rounded as it once was, but it is still the neck of a proud horse. He is the deepest one I have here. Who and what he is, is the culmination of all he has learned and done in his long and storied life. No, my friends, when they are well-broke, they are not broken.

One giant leap! Repost #horsesplanet

Another interesting article!

Let them be horses. Turn them out, let them run. Let them buck, let them leap, rather in the field than the arena, right?... Give them a herd, even a herd of two. Let them be with other horses, what’s a life without friends? Give them downtime, not just days off riding, but days to enjoy life. Happy horses are trainable horses. Take the rug off, let them feel the sun. Let them roll in the mud, a little dirt never hurt anyone. Escape the arena and explore, don’t stick to the well worn path. The most beautiful places are usually found by accident. Showing them how much you love them doesn’t have to come from buying expensive things. You can buy every rug, all the boots, the best tack, wash them, groom them, feed them, put them in the best yard, with the best facilities and wrap them up in cotton wool, but one day you’ll realise the best thing you could possibly do... ... is just let them be horses.

Camden Lock Market in London was originally the site of stabling for hundreds of working horses - many of the stables, saddleries, tack rooms, the Pickford Hors...e Hospital and other horse businesses being underground in tunnels. Farriers were always busy there, and had forges set up. Injured horses were brought to the hospital by canal. Busy Regent's Canal meant a lot of working horses were needed to take goods to the railway station. The place also became a thriving market from 1854. It's still a market - known as The Stables and The Horse Tunnel Market. The last horse retired in 1967. To commemorate the horses, two giant horse heads and a big stallion in bronze were installed, as well as 16 life-size horses, in the 1980's. Popular as a wonderful drawcard - but development sadly meant the statues were sold off in 2014 to private collections. Over 100,000 people visit the market every weekend.

I was pulled from my field, from my work, from my play, Ne'er again to see England, in lands far away, Through death and destruction, through blood sweat and te...ars, I carried my master, along with my peers, So I ask you to remember a while, Along with the soldiers, in smart rank and file, Remember our beauty, the strength of our kind, As we galloped through danger, without care to mind, For we were the horses thrust into war, And we gave up our lives for your peace evermore. The War Horse, 1914 - 1918

Something to be aware of and look out for.

Yes! Great explanation.

If you want to become a better horse person, you need to align yourself with only good people. Their example will have a profound effect on the type of person y...ou become. We horsemen tend to underestimate the power within the relationships we have with other horse people. Our world is a small one. It holds the full range of characters: honest, genuine, supportive and otherwise. We have put it upon horses to 'heal' us and the culture is brimful with damaged, toxic souls. Good folks attract like-minded people. They are students of life and welcome opportunities to learn and observe, to stand for what they believe in. They quietly go about their business, bravely sharing thoughts and ideas that might help others. It is rare to hear them freely judge. No mistake, good people have known adversity and still, they show up again and again for more. They have a core group of select individuals, usually close friends, family members and mentors, to guide them. Healthy people have no interest in ill-gotten gains or gossip, in criticizing others or trumpeting their own wins and achievements. Their program is their art and as such, it is above sullying or negativity by anyone outside their base of support. Good people put themselves out there because the way that works for them is worthy of sharing, whether or not it’s currently in style. Despite uncertainty and vulnerability, they keep going so that they, the students and horses can learn, achieve and thrive. They admit their flops and embarrassments because they know that any one of us can screw up. It’s called living and learning. Good people do not teach or train all the while wondering what will people think? They teach and train according to what they believe, what their mentors have taught them, always considering: how do their clients grow? How do their horses feel? Shame, ego, bravado, blame, divulging secrets, name dropping and making excuses have no part in their lingo or day to day lives. Good people close their eyes at night, knowing they did their best today, knowing they will try again tomorrow. What they do to their horses, how they make other people feel, will also sit right. If it doesn't, they apologize. Whatever they bring to the horse game, they know it is why they are here. Good horse people balance living their art with refusing to hurt others. If you want to improve your horsemanship, look out for the really good people... and then, require yourself to join them.

Beautiful sunset on the farm tonight.

Great article. Nice to read about the importance of enjoying what we do.

Riley’s new retirement gig! He was so proud to get bathed and braided to walk his special groom Christi down the isle!

Coming to a horse show near you

Great exercises. Go to the week 1 link to start at the beginning.