Broke Horse Guide

Dumb (Green) Broke

Dumb broke may mean the training has just started. A dumb broke horse may know to move forward when the rider uses simple leg aids and can stop and turn.

This may also be called green broke. Green is another term used in the horse world to indicate a horse or a rider that is just starting to learn their job. A green broke horse will know the basics, but there is still a lot of refinement that can be worked on until they are well broke.

Well Broke and Broke to Death

Well broke may mean the horse is well-trained and can be relied on to perform reliably and safely. They’ll understand leg and seat aids, be sensitive to the reins, know how to pick up the correct leads at a lope or canter, and the transitions between gaits will be

 smooth. They may respond to leg aids to move sideways and know how to do a rein back. In different situations—such as at shows or on the trail—the horse will be quiet, obedient, and will not be spooked easily.

Some people may also say a horse is broke to death. It sounds awful, but it usually means a horse is well trained, quiet and is a safe ride for almost anyone.

There are lots of opinions about the differences between well broke and well trained. So, if you’re buying a horse advertised to be well broke, it’s best to have the seller explain exactly what that means, see the horse ridden, and perhaps ride it yourself to find out if the horse is suitable for you. One person's broke horse can be another person's barely rideable horse.