Broken Bit Ranch

23/03/2025

I wonder what prompted this? 😂

23/03/2025

Happy Spring! Our northern Nevada working equitation community is growing by leaps and bounds! Between January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025 our local membership in the national association, USA*WE, had TRIPLED!

We are toying with the idea of a licensed WE show weekend (with cattle!) here this July. To keep the entry fee reasonable, we would need a minimum of 20 participants at each show.

What say you? July 25, 26 & 27?

Photos taken here at last year’s licensed show.

18/03/2025

Heads up, my friends!

17/03/2025

The Working Equitation tip of the day from USAWE "S" judge Polly Limond.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15yXn9iani/

12/03/2025

Just do it. ❤️

The following is a diary entry that I made, almost a decade ago. It strikes me that I could have written these words today…

***

Wholehearted living—aka taking up space ‘authentically’—is saying yes to all opportunities, taking chances on the things that might write another rich chapter in the stories of our lives.

It also means saying no, quietly and without blustering or silly explanations, to the people and outside forces that go against our grain. Too often, we say yes because we want to look a certain way. Or, we want to belong. Or, we don’t want to make waves.

We look ahead and see nothing but challenges.

We see that somehow, we must balance the never ending, everyday stuff—like thawing the frozen water line, or making the quick fence repair—with all that really speaks to us. Preserving what we love, remembering what we believe in.

There is good to be found in acts of service, OF MAKING THE WORLD AROUND US A BETTER PLACE. So often, we’re told to do what makes us happy, to put ourselves first, but that has a shallow, selfish ring to me, if you want to know the truth. I’m frankly not all that interested, if having nothing but fun is what's in the cards.

So, how do we go about it? That is, if we’re not quite sailing in the direction we’d really choose? If we’re really worried about the world around us, do we really have to change?

I’m going to gently suggest that transformation isn’t necessarily changing ourselves to becoming something new. We are maybe just going back, remembering who we were, before we were buffeted by adult life.

Once upon a time, we were interested in mystery, in all the things we did not know. We asked questions. We listened to stories. We stopped and we stared.

We didn’t mindlessly support Amazon, overflowing the landfills, opting for free overnight service. We didn’t need our lettuces to be encased in plastic clamshells. We didn’t lust for this season’s clothes. We read and held real books, rather than scrolling our lives away.

We can make a change, even if we don’t at first identify as environmentalists and humanitarians. We should dream of hearing the voices and being the safe keepers of children, the elderly and animals. Let us worship at the altars of trees and grass. We will be the purveyors of truths and strong stories, sources of ancient knowledge and forgotten secrets.

We should dream of the things that make us feel like we're coming home.

Do you remember that little person you once were? If you were to wish anything in the world for that innocent child, what would it be? If you could speak to that her, what would you say? What would you do, to help and encourage?

This is you, speaking to your forgotten self. Quietly. Strongly. Passionately. Yes, it’s that simple. Will you listen? Will you act?

Let’s start small.

Aim to eat well. Sleep when you can. Laugh more often. Oh, easier said, than done! Unplug and go to nature to fully heal. Smile and say hello to the wounded people you and I meet every single day. Pick up the blowing piece of garbage. Let’s stop buying the meaningless stuff—the filler—that we truly don’t need.

Give a loving home to that unwanted kitten. It doesn’t matter that you don’t ‘need’ a cat.

Let’s decide, finally, that being healthy from within is something each of us deserves. Let’s do all of this, starting with the people we love and who love us… and then, let’s do it all again, tomorrow. Until it becomes another habit.

Wholehearted living is understanding that it is never too late, my friends. It is knowing full well that you and everyone here is capable of standing up for a cause and in the process, upholding love and serenity. Knowing and feeling these polar opposites that must dwell within us, if we are to feel that we have made a difference, without losing our very souls.

If you and I are sitting here, wondering if we’ve left our private little transformations too late, I have only this question.

WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

***

© Lee McLean/Keystone Equine, April 2016.
Photo: Cait Bascom.

10/03/2025

War…... Humans are not the only beings that suffer the impacts.

08/03/2025

More wise words from Lee…. I’m sure that there are many who can relate.

“If I have a horse who has scared me—and he continues to scare me—what are our chances of working things out?”

This is a question I am often asked. It leads me to wonder if rather a lot of us aren’t riding scared? While admitting to our fear is honest and healthy, I am going to gently suggest that continuing to live in fear is not.

Longstanding anxiety isn’t good for you and if that isn’t something that matters to your heart, it isn’t great for your horse, either.

When, in the past, I have boldly surmised that such partnerships will probably never entirely get around this fear, I have been roundly chastised.

“We can work on fear management.” “The horse and rider need to find trust.” “Not all deep relationships can be bought.” “Give it time.”

While these statements are all undeniably true, they require an extra something that many of us do not possess. Maybe it’s an ability to ignore the wisdom deep inside us, telling us that we are unsafe. It may be that neither you, nor your horse, are blithe enough to wholly let down your guard around someone who is nervous.

It might be that you don’t have the resources to put yourself into lessons to advance your skills and in so doing, further build your courage. You mightn't be able to afford to put your horse into good, ethical training until the magic happens.

It might be that you don’t have enough actual time, or bravery, or skills, to put into fixing a troubled relationship well enough to allow you to handle this horse without fear... or to get beyond the one bad moment that first put worry into your heart.

None of these things is shameful, I might hasten to point out. They can—and they will—happen to any one of us, if the relationship is wrong and circumstances are right.

Horses, for better or worse, are among the most profound relationships in our lives. Particularly if life has been very hard for us, putting us in troubled human relationships. Horses somehow help us cope with the external demands of life. Many of us have held onto the dream of knowing them, of owning our own horse, since childhood.

We hang so much hope from our horses but the reality, so often, turns out to be something else.

Let’s imagine, for a minute, that this isn’t a human-horse relationship we’re talking about.

Let’s imagine that this same horsewoman (and for simplicity, I’m using the singular title) has found herself in a toxic marriage. Whether from living with a psychological or physical abuser—whether her partner threatens or actually follows through—she is afraid. Yes, there are going to be differences in what motivates or rules the emotions and outbursts of our partner, whether horse or human, but wait.

Past events have shown that she is not safe. No matter how many outsiders tell her that her husband is handsome and talented, she knows that in her gut, she needs to watch out.

To tell this woman that she doesn’t need to be afraid, that she can look forward to happier times if only she does the work, is ludicrous. Most likely, for change to happen—for her to live fear-free—she will have to leave the toxic relationship in order to get counselling. If the abuser is willing, he will have to sign up for serious help with a third party. Only then.

To tell her that she needs to keep this partner because ‘no one else will understand him’, or that ‘love will find a way, if only she tries harder’, is both unkind and erroneous. It sheds light on the uncomfortable fact that when you and I are willing to put up with a dangerous horse—even though his behaviour is due to no fault of his own—we will often accept similar treatment from key people in our lives.

We have maybe forgotten how to uphold our boundaries.

Yes, many horses can learn to regulate themselves and get on with life. Yes, many people can learn to do the same. Where we run into huge roadblocks is that to do this thing together, when both of us are habitually living in fight or flight mode, is a herculean task.

Who can convincingly assume the lead? Who can show the other that it is now safe to go along?

Life experience has taught me that to continue on with the horse who scares us is usually, though not always, futile. This, especially, if this horse has physically hurt us in the past. Again, I am not saying that this horse is at fault, or hopeless. Fear does not need someone to blame, in order to exist.

I wish we could all accept that anxiety does not need to be anyone's fault.

For a rider to gain lost confidence, it most often has to be on a different horse, along with some powerful coaching.

Why the original horse is scary is not really at issue here. In order for him to be in a healthy relationship in the future, he is going to have to find change, notably in the people who handle him.

He will likely require third-party help to ‘get real’. If this horse has somehow learned manipulative and/or dangerous behaviours along the way, such as rearing, bolting, or charging anyone who enters his 'bubble', this moves into special skills territory. This horse likely needs more than a physiological reset, or more active riding in more confident hands.

Whether or not a human couple gets back together is a positive step only if the ‘victim’ is no longer fearful and has a strong say in the decision-making… and only if the ‘abuser’ will no longer offend.

To understand troubled human-to-horse relationships with more clarity, it can really help to imagine these as human-to-human relationships. Please don’t get mired down in the guilt that comes whenever we assign our messy human values to animal personalities.

While I love horses, I also love people. I want them both to live good and happy lives, in harmony and trust.

I don’t believe that people necessarily need to live in silent fear because we are told that horses don’t lie and that they don’t choose to do the wrong things. I simply don’t believe that horses—though they are beautiful, mystical creatures—should be ignored when they look capable of committing bodily harm.

When people and horses show us who they are and what they are thinking of, or struggling with, we should believe them. This is common sense.

When we choose to put our dreams, or our horse’s rights, over our own safety, we have to ask why we’re playing the victim card. It’s an unwaveringly hard question. What is it going to take, for us to actually go and get help? Do we now know only drama in our lives? Do we identity with being unseen and unheard? Have we given up on happiness? Do we feel we are stuck in exactly the relationship we deserve?

When we live with a horse who repeatedly frightens us, we must ask ourselves... why are we choosing fear? It’s a powerful and uncomfortable question to sit with, this International Women's Day.

Photo: Mike McLean.

07/03/2025

Every once in a while we just need to sit back take a deep breath. And that’s okay.

29/01/2025

20/01/2025

Interesting read. What are your thoughts?

https://www.facebook.com/share/19rXCcd8TM/

Most dressage competitors hope to bring home a ribbon or two when showing. If they’re lucky, a nice high-point award may be in the cards. And for high-profile competitions, a neck sash, a cooler, and a little limelight are the trifecta. But what about prize money? Cash awards are a thing at some major dressage competitions, to be sure, but not in the amounts found in some other equestrian sports.

We wondered whether increased prize money would attract more dressage riders to the competition arena - and also how doing so could impact show-management finances. In this article, industry insiders explain the pros, cons, and challenges of more cash awards in dressage. Read on here: https://yourdressage.org/2025/01/16/the-bottom-line-on-prize-money/

Photo by Susan J Stickle Equestrian Photography LLC

18/01/2025

Took advantage of the damp ground and a sunny day to spiff up the “race track” around the girl’s turn out fields. Now onto the “bridle path” along the ditch. It would have been a lovely day to ride, but it was also the perfect time to do some yearly maintenance. They will be much enjoyed on many rides throughout the coming year. 🏇

16/01/2025

Let’s all put our hands together for our good friend, Sarah! She has been an integral part of our Working Equitation journey from the very beginning! We look forward to seeing her beautiful smile here again in 2025!

Congradulating Licensed Official Sarah Pinney as new R judge in 2025

15/01/2025

SENSORY HAIRS

The FEI has determined that any measures to trim or shave off a horse's sensory hairs, including whiskers, eyelashes and the hairs of the inner ear, is not permitted and shall lead to an elimination of the combination for the competition's duration.

Sensory hairs are of extreme importance for proprioception for the horse. They aid the horse's ability to judge distance and navigate in the dark. It has been shown that trimming or shaving these hairs leads to increased susceptibility to injury.

12/01/2025

Whoo hoo! Working Equitation in Nevada is growing! Because “inquiring minds wanted to know,” we did a little research. As of January 1, 2024, Working Equitation USA had eight (8) members in the state of Nevada. The. Whole. Entire. State. One (1)member in southern NV, seven (7) in northern.

As of January 1, 2025, our membership in Nevada has TRIPLED! That’s right, statewide USAWE enrollment has grown to 24, with 22 of those members in northern Nevada! Those are pretty significant numbers, taking into consideration that 70% of the state’s 3.25 million residents live to the south in Metro-Las Vegas, Clark County. Meanwhile, in northwestern Nevada, the combined population is a measly 615,000!

We are super excited for what the coming year has to bring and the new friends to be made. Join in the fun with us to learn about the fun and exciting sport of working equitation, where classical dressage, obstacle navigation, and cattle handling are combined into a single, dynamic sport!