Backed or bombproof?

Some horsey terms are open to discussion. That, at least, was the opinion at the horsejunction forum when the question was asked: How rideable is "backed"?

By Bush Baby: So many people advertise horses as being "backed". I hope this means that such a horse is at a stage in its training where it has walked, trotted and cantered with a person on its back and can be taken on calm outrides in the company of other horses. Anybody with a more scientific definition out there?

By Mary: You expect too much! Backed means the horse has had a saddle strapped to its back once. All those other things – walked, trotted and cantered with a person on its back and can be taken on calm outrides – that's advertised as well-schooled.

By Sabby: Backed should be a young horse that has become accustomed to a saddle and rider on its back. Basics such as moving forward from the leg, steering and transition signals from the rider, should be established. If you are looking for a horse that can jump, has been on outrides and has done some basic schooling on the flat, then I suggest going for a green schooled horse, as a backed horse will have none of the above.

By Jynx: To me backed means the horse has carried a rider with tack and, hopefully, the rider has dismounted on his or her own steam. Having had a saddle and bridle on once, does not constitute being backed. The horse should be able to walk quietly under saddle and at least have a basic understanding of the aids. I would prefer to buy a horse that is advertised as having had the basics started, i.e. walk and trot. Cantering I am not too fazed over as most ignoramuses can stuff that up in a heartbeat, especially on a baby. I get worried when I read "backed", but the horse is nine years old.

By Jewel: In my opinion, when a horse has done about six months of carrying a rider in and out of the school, stands quietly for mounting and dismounting, and starts to balance itself, only then can it be classified as backed. After that it would be green and ready to be brought on slowly by a competent rider. To me a well-schooled horse is doing elementary dressage, including lateral work, and can jump with rhythm and have good cadence. Obviously each discipline should be individually specified and an endurance horse should be traffic-sound. The big sales pitch that irritates me, is the word "bombproof".

By Jynx: I have come across so many "bombproof" horses, pity we never chanced upon a bomb though, as these horses sure as hell were not dogproof, carproof or childproof.

By N3: A horse that has had six months of schooling would probably be described as well-schooled and not just backed! I agree that well-schooled horses should have the basics at least, shoulder-in, half pass and be a safe jumper. If I was selling a horse as backed, he would probably have had a rider on its back for about a month, anything more I would describe as having basic schooling.

By Bush Baby: So, if I have a horse under saddle, going forward off the leg into a walk and happily lead-reining on outrides, can I please have my dear fellow contributors' thumbs up to call it backed?

By Sherveen: Thumbs up, Bush Baby!