I usually glide through these photo challenges, feeling amused and clever. I struggled with this one. Broken is a word that’s uncomfortable for me. In fact, I hate it.
In the horse world, broke(n) is a term used sometimes to refer to a horse that has been trained. It’s an old school word that has a connotation of harsh methods, usually involving physical domination. Most of us use more politically correct terms now, but the methods remain.
No small number of women were broken in their young lives, many times by the same harsh aggression used on colts. It’s something our society condones when someone is wild or free or beautiful. We are unnerved by that joy in others. Some of us think the constriction of hard work, intimidation, even violence, is the antidote for being filled with light.
This is Vinnie: Started young, passed around, used, injured, and rescued. He is many things, but broken is not one of them. The spark still burns. That’s true for us, too.
Anna Blake, Infinity Farm.
I have a book coming out this summer. It’s the antidote to “Broken.” (Click here.)
WordPress Photo Challenge is a weekly prompt to share a photo- I enjoy twisting these macro prompts to share our micro life here on the Colorado prairie. My photos are taken with my phone, on my farm. No psych, definitely not high tech.
I used to cringe (visibly, my Hubby says) whenever someone would ask if my b/w girl, Cookie is broke. It was a hot button question for me, because it all too often led to “Well, if you’re not going to ride her or breed her, what good is she?” That just made me angry.
And then a FB aquaintence shared with me the perfect answer to that “Is she broke?” question, and it’s what I use to answer it…I just smile and say, “Nope. Not anymore”
Amen. Just amen. Thank you.
I don’t like the term either. I use “started”, I like my horse whole, not broken. I like my horse to grow physically as well as mentally.
As we all should. Thanks.
GREAT answer! Makes no difference what you “do with them” – what matters is if they are loved and cared for. The “broke” attitude is how too many horses end up in rescues – or worse.
And too many people get hurt, but do we listen? Humans are such fighters. I like to volunteer and I like my horse to do the same. You’re right about rescue–thanks for the comment.
Reblogged this on Anna Blake and commented:
From my other blog, but more appropriate here…
I have a pony who was completely and utterly broken. It’s been a while since she’s shut down around me and she (and I) have learned the signals for enough, so I have hope that someday she won’t be ‘broke ‘ anymore.
So yeah, not really fond of the word.
Keep listening–it matters to horses more than we know. It sounds like you’ll give her time, so good for you. And yes, bad, if truthful, word. Thanks.