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The Man Who Listens to Horses
"It all dates from those summers alone in the high desert, me lying on my belly and watching wild horses with my binoculars for hours at a time. Straining to see in the moonlight, striving to fathom mustang ways, I knew instinctively I had chanced upon something important but could not know that it would shape my life. In 1948 I was a boy of thirteen learning the language of horses. . . ."
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Monty Roberts
56 books145 followersHe wrote that by personally observing horses in the wild, he learned to "listen" to their non-verbal "language"; that when horses understood that they can trust you, they will decide to be with you. Roberts registered as his term for "hooking on", the phrase "Join~Up", in which a trainer negotiates with an untamed horse to form a voluntary relationship with him
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
January 29, 2010
As a horse owner, I have a HUGE problem with so-called "gurus". I've seen to many people who follow one guru this week, the next one next week, all without any regard for what their horse needs and certainly without ever questioning the "guru's" methods.
Roberts is not really one of those people I'd call a "guru". Sure, he sells, but then, everyone's gotta make a living. But in everything I read from him and about him, I had the feeling that he cares first of all about the horses - unlike "gurus", who care mostly about their money and brand.
Roberts' books and methods may not have been as groundbreaking in Germany as they were in the states, but they mark nonetheless a time where the voice PRO horsemanship started to get stronger. No, he isn't the only one, and he isn't the first, but, justified or not, his name is inseparably attached to the horsemanship movement, and because of that alone, I think everyone who is interested in horses should read at least one of his books.
As for his method, well, here we come back to the guru-thing. You are dealing with horses. That means, you have to carefully rethink everything you hear or read and see if it applies to your particuar situation and horse. If I were to start join-up with my horse, I'd probably traumatize the poor guy once and for all - he has just reached a point where he trusts me implicitely. That doesn't mean we can't learn from Roberts, but that's the thing - you have to THINK, not just follow. No one, not Roberts, not any other expert, guru or not, has THE method that will magically make you and your horse the best team ever. But you can probably learn from all of them, if you think about what they are doing.
Nonetheless, I found Roberts experiences and perspective interesting and thought-provoking, and I certainly learned something from reading it. It's one of the few, really important books in horsemanship, and, I'm repeating myself, everyone who has a horse or deals with horses should read it.
Just, think, before you act on what you read. (that should go without saying, shouldn't it?)
Roberts is not really one of those people I'd call a "guru". Sure, he sells, but then, everyone's gotta make a living. But in everything I read from him and about him, I had the feeling that he cares first of all about the horses - unlike "gurus", who care mostly about their money and brand.
Roberts' books and methods may not have been as groundbreaking in Germany as they were in the states, but they mark nonetheless a time where the voice PRO horsemanship started to get stronger. No, he isn't the only one, and he isn't the first, but, justified or not, his name is inseparably attached to the horsemanship movement, and because of that alone, I think everyone who is interested in horses should read at least one of his books.
As for his method, well, here we come back to the guru-thing. You are dealing with horses. That means, you have to carefully rethink everything you hear or read and see if it applies to your particuar situation and horse. If I were to start join-up with my horse, I'd probably traumatize the poor guy once and for all - he has just reached a point where he trusts me implicitely. That doesn't mean we can't learn from Roberts, but that's the thing - you have to THINK, not just follow. No one, not Roberts, not any other expert, guru or not, has THE method that will magically make you and your horse the best team ever. But you can probably learn from all of them, if you think about what they are doing.
Nonetheless, I found Roberts experiences and perspective interesting and thought-provoking, and I certainly learned something from reading it. It's one of the few, really important books in horsemanship, and, I'm repeating myself, everyone who has a horse or deals with horses should read it.
Just, think, before you act on what you read. (that should go without saying, shouldn't it?)
July 3, 2012
This is one of those life-changing books. It's really about 4.8-9 in how I'd rate it for readability, but the star system doesn't allow for that.
The work of a man clearly of fierce intelligence but minimal formal education, the prose is rough and honest as a cowboy's hands and tells the tale of an extraordinary life and the rediscovery of something as world-changing as the internal combustion engine: the ability to believe things other than humans have something worthwile to say, and to hear it.
To illustrate, this is a man who can break in ("start", as he terms it) a horse in under an hour and is willing to share his methods with everyone, though it took the Queen's favour to bring them to light after decades of derision in his native California. Recommended to anyone who's ever fought against institutionalised and/or domestic violence and anyone who's been told "that's not possible" or that their nonhuman friend is "just a _____".
The work of a man clearly of fierce intelligence but minimal formal education, the prose is rough and honest as a cowboy's hands and tells the tale of an extraordinary life and the rediscovery of something as world-changing as the internal combustion engine: the ability to believe things other than humans have something worthwile to say, and to hear it.
To illustrate, this is a man who can break in ("start", as he terms it) a horse in under an hour and is willing to share his methods with everyone, though it took the Queen's favour to bring them to light after decades of derision in his native California. Recommended to anyone who's ever fought against institutionalised and/or domestic violence and anyone who's been told "that's not possible" or that their nonhuman friend is "just a _____".
March 16, 2012
This book was the catalyst for change in the way in which i rode, handled and understood horses and for that i have to give thanks to Monty Roberts who introduced me into the world of effective communication, natural horsemanship and the proper understanding of these magnificent animals. I was gripped from page 1 to page 374 hence being unable to put this book down even for a few minutes i finished reading it in under a week, and being that i am naturally a very slow reader this occourance was testimont to Monty's great writing style that was conversational, down-to-earth and utterly captivating througout. We have all herd of 'the horse whisperer' fictional story or the tales of those who 'speak to horses' but here Monty Roberts demonsrates how this is done in practise, that is effective and not in any way mockery or trickery at work. Any experianced horseman can if they so wish demonstrate to an audience tricks that can be done on or with horses, but here is a method that can be used & done sucsessfully with anyone and thier horse and this book explains how Monty came to understand the horse so that the horse could then understand him. It is an extrordinary read that when Monty speaks , the wisdom born of a tough and immensely varied life comes floating out of him, that is utterly spellbinding, enriching and can change a readers life or at least thier understanding of the horse & human relationship. Horses are domesticated animals and with todays 'mechanicalism' of the horse in riding school environments one can forget the animals origin & history and this book as a concequence brings one back down to earth. I saw a film of Monty Roberts taming a wild mustang called 'Shy Boy' which completely transformed me & my understanding in so many ways, hence i was not only speechless but my entire view on the horse changed. For any equestrian this book is such an insightful read and i urge you to look at it even if you are 'not into' the natural horsemanship way as such, because as an indavidual Monty is an increadible horseman with such an extrordinary life that is filled with highs, lows, ups & downs and that will leave you sitting on the egde of your seat thinking 'wow!'. He is an increadible source of knowlege and experiance that knows everything about horses inside & out, and i would not hesitate to pick this little book up again.
December 14, 2011
I read this book in a week, in the midst of reading another book and a very hectic work and holiday schedule. If I had no other obligations, I would have read it in one sitting. Monty Roberts is a gifted story-teller who can not only decipher horses' body language, but then communicate it in a captivating and clear way to others.
Roberts regales with vignettes of his relationships with memorable horses like the mustang herds he spent two summers with, his childhood show horses Brownie and Ginger, and Johnny Tivio, his beloved quarter horse. He brings to life the essence of why he loved and learned from each, but without any sappy sentimentality or cloying diatribes of affection. In short, his autobiography contrasts cruelty and kindness in both humans and animals, and justifies his resolve to find a more enlightened way to communicate.
More than a series of horse stories, he recounts a full life, delving into complex family dynamics, his work experiences, and his tenure in the school of hard knocks. His story is the story of an American growing up during the Second World War and coming of age in the fifties. Japanese internment camps, James Dean, the sport of kings, and the civil rights movement all play roles in his tale. It is so much more than a horse story--it is the story of how a gifted young man took one of the most ancient cross-species relationships and pioneered a whole new way to engage. In an ever-increasingly urbanized world where the horse has become all but obsolete, Roberts found his niche and made his fortune with man's oldest ally. And his fortune has become our fortune.
Endorsed by millionaires, Hollywood and the Queen of England, Roberts never knew the approval of his own father. His tale is engaging, heartbreaking, inspiring, and above all, enlightening. It makes us believe that we can do better than our predecessors and achieve more than they ever dared, both for ourselves and those who share this planet.
Roberts regales with vignettes of his relationships with memorable horses like the mustang herds he spent two summers with, his childhood show horses Brownie and Ginger, and Johnny Tivio, his beloved quarter horse. He brings to life the essence of why he loved and learned from each, but without any sappy sentimentality or cloying diatribes of affection. In short, his autobiography contrasts cruelty and kindness in both humans and animals, and justifies his resolve to find a more enlightened way to communicate.
More than a series of horse stories, he recounts a full life, delving into complex family dynamics, his work experiences, and his tenure in the school of hard knocks. His story is the story of an American growing up during the Second World War and coming of age in the fifties. Japanese internment camps, James Dean, the sport of kings, and the civil rights movement all play roles in his tale. It is so much more than a horse story--it is the story of how a gifted young man took one of the most ancient cross-species relationships and pioneered a whole new way to engage. In an ever-increasingly urbanized world where the horse has become all but obsolete, Roberts found his niche and made his fortune with man's oldest ally. And his fortune has become our fortune.
Endorsed by millionaires, Hollywood and the Queen of England, Roberts never knew the approval of his own father. His tale is engaging, heartbreaking, inspiring, and above all, enlightening. It makes us believe that we can do better than our predecessors and achieve more than they ever dared, both for ourselves and those who share this planet.
December 29, 2018
I was out in the country over Christmas and talked to some folks who have owned and/or worked with horses.They were very familiar with Monty Roberts and have used his techniques to great advantage.I was afraid that Monty's techniques were too good to be true.It turns out that they are too good and too true!I will now start my collection of everything he has written.
August 20, 2015
I found this book by accident because I was looking in the wrong section of the library for another book for someone else. I'm so glad I did. Not only was it an engaging account of an extraordinary life, it was a clear, simple articulation of a method for creating connection and trust with a horse.
I've recently taken a course on taming mustangs that was based on Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) principles. The aim of this method is the humane training of horses (and other animals) based on gaining trust and then teaching using the behaviorist methods of Skinner and Pavlov to pair positive stimuli with the training process. It's interesting and effective, but I found that when I was studying the process, it seemed...convoluted. Like it was more complicated than it had to be.
When I read Monty Roberts's method, I saw what was missing. He speaks to the horses using their own language, not our complex vocabulary of psychological terms. Having spent so much time observing mustangs in the wild and understanding how they interact--for example, how a matriarch mare disciplines the problematic behavior of a young colt--Roberts was able to learn how to make a connection with horses in terms that they understand. There's a part where he talks about a tutor he had when he was young, who says that you can't teach someone anything, you can only create an environment where he can learn. That is what strikes me as the difference between the ABA approach I studied and Roberts' approach. Instead of repetitive, scientifically-constructed scenarios aimed at getting the horse to do what you want, Roberts' method is essentially a conversation. It's saying to the horse, "Trust me; I'll take care of you," when the horse is at his most vulnerable. After he trusts you, he'll willingly want to learn.
Starting a horse from scratch has always been my dream. Reading this book makes me long for the opportunity to do that even more.
I've recently taken a course on taming mustangs that was based on Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) principles. The aim of this method is the humane training of horses (and other animals) based on gaining trust and then teaching using the behaviorist methods of Skinner and Pavlov to pair positive stimuli with the training process. It's interesting and effective, but I found that when I was studying the process, it seemed...convoluted. Like it was more complicated than it had to be.
When I read Monty Roberts's method, I saw what was missing. He speaks to the horses using their own language, not our complex vocabulary of psychological terms. Having spent so much time observing mustangs in the wild and understanding how they interact--for example, how a matriarch mare disciplines the problematic behavior of a young colt--Roberts was able to learn how to make a connection with horses in terms that they understand. There's a part where he talks about a tutor he had when he was young, who says that you can't teach someone anything, you can only create an environment where he can learn. That is what strikes me as the difference between the ABA approach I studied and Roberts' approach. Instead of repetitive, scientifically-constructed scenarios aimed at getting the horse to do what you want, Roberts' method is essentially a conversation. It's saying to the horse, "Trust me; I'll take care of you," when the horse is at his most vulnerable. After he trusts you, he'll willingly want to learn.
Starting a horse from scratch has always been my dream. Reading this book makes me long for the opportunity to do that even more.
July 26, 2012
If you love horses you'll love what this man has done for the horse world!! He is amazing!
February 22, 2018
Monty Roberts' 'The Man Who Listens to Horses' proved to be one of the most exciting additions to the field of equine/human inter-communication. It destroyed the myth that horses need to be forced into submission to get them to do the bidding of humans. Through his teachings, Monty Roberts has taught thousands of people that the best way to interact with a horse is to learn its language; that the key to a good, stress-free relationship between man and horse is to study the communication system of the horse and to use that knowledge in any human/equine relationship. Monty Roberts helped people understand that dominance is not the answer and that working with a horse through understanding it produces a far happier result for man and animal.
This seminal work has helped people better interact with all sorts of animals and, today, we have books, blogs, vlogs and classes given by people almost worldwide on how to improve understanding of, and communication with, dogs, cats, birds and many other creatures. 'The Man Who Listens to Horses' proved invaluable reading and couldn't be more highly recommended.
This seminal work has helped people better interact with all sorts of animals and, today, we have books, blogs, vlogs and classes given by people almost worldwide on how to improve understanding of, and communication with, dogs, cats, birds and many other creatures. 'The Man Who Listens to Horses' proved invaluable reading and couldn't be more highly recommended.
March 4, 2018
Riveting and instructive tale about a man whose identity and self-esteem do not depend on him feeling ascendant, either to other people or the animal kingdom.
He pays the greatest respect he can by quietly and with reverence observing his subjects’ behaviour within their natural setting, and learning how to speak their language.
I kept thinking as I read that Monty’s methods would serve human relationships as well as those with horses. When I read the Afterward, written by Lawrence Scanlan, I learned that Monty and his wife Pat fostered many children in desperate need of his love, and his light and knowing touch. I was struck by Monty’s modesty in not mentioning this himself.
The book met my every yearning for a transformation theme. Long may this extraordinary man live and teach.
He pays the greatest respect he can by quietly and with reverence observing his subjects’ behaviour within their natural setting, and learning how to speak their language.
I kept thinking as I read that Monty’s methods would serve human relationships as well as those with horses. When I read the Afterward, written by Lawrence Scanlan, I learned that Monty and his wife Pat fostered many children in desperate need of his love, and his light and knowing touch. I was struck by Monty’s modesty in not mentioning this himself.
The book met my every yearning for a transformation theme. Long may this extraordinary man live and teach.
January 17, 2021
I've read a few books on horse behavior before but none of them have actually explained all of the various things that horses DO. Especially that chewing and tongue poking out that I see often. So then I left wondering WHY are they doing that? Are they thirsty?? But if they are then why don't they go get a drink? I mean the water is right there and the horse is free to wonder about, as we are in the pasture. So basically I'm left guessing and feeling a bit confused and trying to apply human thoughts to a horse (thirst, etc) which may not actually be accurate. But this is the first book that I've found that actually explained this mysterious chewing habit! And to be clear, this is chewing when they are not eating. I should probably add I've only worked with horses for about two years now so I'm still kind of new to them. I'm more trying to understand them. Just spend time with them, groom them, etc. I don't really ride.
So I found the life story of Monty just fascinating! He's lived through so much and he has also mentioned things in here I have never heard of or even imagined, like some of that stuff involving cows or steers. I can't imagine why anyone would want to bite one on the upper lip during a contest. Or trying to tie up a cow's legs! It's like reading about a whole different world.
I found his experience with wild horses and deer just amazing! Not to mention how he managed to figure out what they were saying to each other by observing them. It's incredible!
This book includes the ups and downs in his life, the good and the bad. I found it all very fascinating as it gives one an idea what a real rancher does. Not that he's ordinary. Far from it. But it's just such an amazing story!
Later when I see Oliver, George and the herd I'm going to try the Join Up on them. See how it goes. Although to be honest I'm not very good at using pressure on horses. But I'm going to try it and see how it goes. I guess you have to mean it for pressure to work.
This book I read was a library book but I'm going to buy my own copy of this one so I can use it as a reference to horsey type behavior. And at the very back of the book he has his step by step guide to Join Up. By using a horse's own natural language, you can get a wild horse accepting you and "tame" without abusing them by "breaking" them. Which is wonderful. Even the Queen has adopted his methods for her horses.
So I found the life story of Monty just fascinating! He's lived through so much and he has also mentioned things in here I have never heard of or even imagined, like some of that stuff involving cows or steers. I can't imagine why anyone would want to bite one on the upper lip during a contest. Or trying to tie up a cow's legs! It's like reading about a whole different world.
I found his experience with wild horses and deer just amazing! Not to mention how he managed to figure out what they were saying to each other by observing them. It's incredible!
This book includes the ups and downs in his life, the good and the bad. I found it all very fascinating as it gives one an idea what a real rancher does. Not that he's ordinary. Far from it. But it's just such an amazing story!
Later when I see Oliver, George and the herd I'm going to try the Join Up on them. See how it goes. Although to be honest I'm not very good at using pressure on horses. But I'm going to try it and see how it goes. I guess you have to mean it for pressure to work.
This book I read was a library book but I'm going to buy my own copy of this one so I can use it as a reference to horsey type behavior. And at the very back of the book he has his step by step guide to Join Up. By using a horse's own natural language, you can get a wild horse accepting you and "tame" without abusing them by "breaking" them. Which is wonderful. Even the Queen has adopted his methods for her horses.
January 21, 2021
3.5 Stars
A seemingly very random book to read, I found this on a stack of books at my parents house that they were getting rid of, and added it to mine about 7 years ago. Since my goal this year is to tackle my TBR shelves, I finally got around to reading this.
I have always loved horses, ever since I can first remember riding one at 7 years old at a ranch in Colorado. I would return there two more times as a guest and then spend two summers working there in college. I loved King of the Wind and Black Beauty and all of the horse books as a child too. So reading a book all about horses training, racing, and riding was fascinating for me. However, even more surprising was discovering how unbelievably unique and interesting the author’s background and life were. He was a wrangler and stunt double on various movies and became friends with James Dean. He has had multiple visits with the Queen of England.
The mix of cool life story and interesting horse stories blended for a good read. I ended up skipping through the appendix of pure info on how to train a horse, because I wasn’t actually interested in that detail as well as the afterword because the author who wrote that I found boring.
A seemingly very random book to read, I found this on a stack of books at my parents house that they were getting rid of, and added it to mine about 7 years ago. Since my goal this year is to tackle my TBR shelves, I finally got around to reading this.
I have always loved horses, ever since I can first remember riding one at 7 years old at a ranch in Colorado. I would return there two more times as a guest and then spend two summers working there in college. I loved King of the Wind and Black Beauty and all of the horse books as a child too. So reading a book all about horses training, racing, and riding was fascinating for me. However, even more surprising was discovering how unbelievably unique and interesting the author’s background and life were. He was a wrangler and stunt double on various movies and became friends with James Dean. He has had multiple visits with the Queen of England.
The mix of cool life story and interesting horse stories blended for a good read. I ended up skipping through the appendix of pure info on how to train a horse, because I wasn’t actually interested in that detail as well as the afterword because the author who wrote that I found boring.
October 8, 2019
Very readable memoir by Monty Roberts about his life with horses. He grew up with horses, and watched many horses being "broken" by his father and others. He always believed there was a better, more humane way, and he invented it. It involved communicating with the horse: studying, understanding and speaking the horse's body language. Using his method (which he clearly describes in the book - there's no magic here) he is able to convince a horse in half an hour to allow itself to be ridden.
There are a lot of stories in this book about individual horses and their challenges and successes. It's entertaining and Monty Roberts has gone far in the world. His expertise is sought all over the world. The Queen of England invites him to her castle for a week from time to time.
My only complaint is that the story is so focused on horses, you don't really get a good sense of who Monty Roberts is in any other arena of his life. He's got three kids, but he barely mentions them in this book. He talks about his wife, but only about who she is as a horsewoman.
Maybe there isn't more to Monty Roberts - maybe he is a 24-hour-a-day horseman, and maybe he doesn't interact with his kids or wife beyond horses. I'd like to know that he was a better father than his own father was to him, and that fatherhood meant something to him beyond not beating his children.
There are a lot of stories in this book about individual horses and their challenges and successes. It's entertaining and Monty Roberts has gone far in the world. His expertise is sought all over the world. The Queen of England invites him to her castle for a week from time to time.
My only complaint is that the story is so focused on horses, you don't really get a good sense of who Monty Roberts is in any other arena of his life. He's got three kids, but he barely mentions them in this book. He talks about his wife, but only about who she is as a horsewoman.
Maybe there isn't more to Monty Roberts - maybe he is a 24-hour-a-day horseman, and maybe he doesn't interact with his kids or wife beyond horses. I'd like to know that he was a better father than his own father was to him, and that fatherhood meant something to him beyond not beating his children.
February 1, 2022
Is this a crime drama or a book about a horse whisperer? Sometimes I can't tell!
Monty Roberts has had an incredible life including being the victim of domestic abuse, the witness of a murder, and involved in the blackmail of a racehorse trainer, amongst other un believable events, all against the ever-evolving back drop of his extraordinary ability to communicate with horses in their own language. His writing is personable, relateable, and engaging, and his methods, whilst seemingly impossible, make perfect sense once explained. A book not just for the horse lover, I would recommend this autobiography to anyone.
Monty Roberts has had an incredible life including being the victim of domestic abuse, the witness of a murder, and involved in the blackmail of a racehorse trainer, amongst other un believable events, all against the ever-evolving back drop of his extraordinary ability to communicate with horses in their own language. His writing is personable, relateable, and engaging, and his methods, whilst seemingly impossible, make perfect sense once explained. A book not just for the horse lover, I would recommend this autobiography to anyone.
May 20, 2022
Absolutely incredible story! At first I was incredibly skeptical of this book as it was a gift and not the normal type of book that I like to read.
However, I was completely wrong and Monty Roberts is not only a horse whisperer, daredevil, and all around amazing human but also a great author! Will be buying for multiple people in my family!
However, I was completely wrong and Monty Roberts is not only a horse whisperer, daredevil, and all around amazing human but also a great author! Will be buying for multiple people in my family!
February 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, it was really interesting and amazing and Monty Roberts seems like a really nice, empathic and skilled guy. The only negative thing I have to say about it, was that it was a bit confusing at times, like the timeline was out of order.
The reciter did a really great job here.
The reciter did a really great job here.
March 4, 2020
Excellent book for animal lovers, especially horse people, or anyone interested in working kindly with others.
February 21, 2008
When I read this book 10 or so years ago, I had never heard of Monty Roberts before, or at least, I couldn't remember ever having read of him before even though I had been a subscriber to popular horse magazines such as Western Horseman from the time I was a kid.
I took the book at face value, until it was proven to my satisfaction by several various other sources that much of the autobiographical information in it disqualifies the book from 'nonfiction' status. Marvin Roberts did not beat his son and was not a murdering racist.
You can read more about Marvin Roberts Sr and Marguerite Roberts at HorseWhispersAndLies.com.
In Jonathon Turley's article, 'A Peddler of Court Gossip May Pay the Piper,' he quotes Gary Condit's lawyers, 'The horse whisperer is identified by Condit's lawyers as Monty Roberts, a man with "a long and notorious history of lying."'
In 'The Man Who Listens To Horses,' Roberts wrote of his horse Dually, "Dually was a cull from the Greg Ward Ranch, a throw-away horse whom no one would buy."
I looked up Dually's AQHA show and ownership records:
Dually (PEPINICS DUALLY),
AQHA ownership records show as dates of sale:
CURRENT OWNER : MONTY AND PAT ROBERTS SOLVANG, CA 01/09/1995
2ND PREV OWNER : GREG AND/OR LAURA WARD TULARE, CA 03/01/1994
It should be noted that Greg Ward (deceased) is known as one of the greatest Reined Cowhorse trainers of all time.
AQHA performance records for Dually show:
NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 6,295.51 Earned thru 01/01/1994
NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 5,404.18 Earned thru 11/02/1995
Apparently, this unwanted, undesirable horse had earned over $6000 before acquired by Monty.
Dually was a product not only of Greg Ward's training but also of his breeding program that has produced many world class money earners in NCHA, NRHA, NRCHA, and AQHA, descended from Greg Ward's great mare Fillinic.
Greg's taming and training of the hypersensitive Fillinic has become legendary. I think that Greg Ward (deceased, from cancer), was truly the kind of horseman that we all dream of becoming!
===
What is indisputable, however, is that Roberts is a talented horseman who has helped many people with their horse handling problems and that he is a man who uses his celebrity status in service of humane causes.
I took the book at face value, until it was proven to my satisfaction by several various other sources that much of the autobiographical information in it disqualifies the book from 'nonfiction' status. Marvin Roberts did not beat his son and was not a murdering racist.
You can read more about Marvin Roberts Sr and Marguerite Roberts at HorseWhispersAndLies.com.
In Jonathon Turley's article, 'A Peddler of Court Gossip May Pay the Piper,' he quotes Gary Condit's lawyers, 'The horse whisperer is identified by Condit's lawyers as Monty Roberts, a man with "a long and notorious history of lying."'
In 'The Man Who Listens To Horses,' Roberts wrote of his horse Dually, "Dually was a cull from the Greg Ward Ranch, a throw-away horse whom no one would buy."
I looked up Dually's AQHA show and ownership records:
Dually (PEPINICS DUALLY),
AQHA ownership records show as dates of sale:
CURRENT OWNER : MONTY AND PAT ROBERTS SOLVANG, CA 01/09/1995
2ND PREV OWNER : GREG AND/OR LAURA WARD TULARE, CA 03/01/1994
It should be noted that Greg Ward (deceased) is known as one of the greatest Reined Cowhorse trainers of all time.
AQHA performance records for Dually show:
NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 6,295.51 Earned thru 01/01/1994
NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 5,404.18 Earned thru 11/02/1995
Apparently, this unwanted, undesirable horse had earned over $6000 before acquired by Monty.
Dually was a product not only of Greg Ward's training but also of his breeding program that has produced many world class money earners in NCHA, NRHA, NRCHA, and AQHA, descended from Greg Ward's great mare Fillinic.
Greg's taming and training of the hypersensitive Fillinic has become legendary. I think that Greg Ward (deceased, from cancer), was truly the kind of horseman that we all dream of becoming!
===
What is indisputable, however, is that Roberts is a talented horseman who has helped many people with their horse handling problems and that he is a man who uses his celebrity status in service of humane causes.
December 19, 2015
Já vou começar essa resenha anunciando: é uma das melhores biografias que já li, com certeza! Me espanta imensamente que Monty Roberts não seja um autor com vasta experiência, porque sua escrita é fluida e tem o que existe de melhor dentro da literatura contemporânea: uma ausência de pretensão e uma narração próxima do leitor, como se fosse, por exemplo, cartas para um amigo próximo.
A história em si cativa desde o princípio, porque o que me motivou de verdade a ler esse livro foi a pergunta: "Porque esse cara resolveu pensar diferente?"; e isso ele nos conta desde o começo. Sua criação, a motivação para escrever, o que o levou a pensar e buscar um outro jeito de conviver com os cavalos. Não conheço muito sobre esses animais, mas me encantei mesmo assim, até para a minha própria surpresa. Para os mais entendedores do tema, existe até um manual do final do livro, com o passo a passo da técnica de comunicação EQUUS. Porém, o que me ganhou foi a vida fascinante do autor, a carreira, as descobertas, e principalmente, a filosofia de não-violência. Vale a pena conferir esse livro, com certeza!
A história em si cativa desde o princípio, porque o que me motivou de verdade a ler esse livro foi a pergunta: "Porque esse cara resolveu pensar diferente?"; e isso ele nos conta desde o começo. Sua criação, a motivação para escrever, o que o levou a pensar e buscar um outro jeito de conviver com os cavalos. Não conheço muito sobre esses animais, mas me encantei mesmo assim, até para a minha própria surpresa. Para os mais entendedores do tema, existe até um manual do final do livro, com o passo a passo da técnica de comunicação EQUUS. Porém, o que me ganhou foi a vida fascinante do autor, a carreira, as descobertas, e principalmente, a filosofia de não-violência. Vale a pena conferir esse livro, com certeza!
"A ausência de diálogo entre o homem e o cavalo nos levou a uma desastrosa história de crueldade e abuso. E tudo isso veio também em nosso detrimento. Há milhares de anos poderíamos ter capturado a vontade do cavalo de cooperar e não o fizemos. Perdemos muito, tanto em termos emocionais como em termos de performance e do trabalho que, egoisticamente, teríamos recebido deles. Tentar compensar o cavalo por tudo que lhe fizemos é meu trabalho de uma vida inteira. Faço isso a 61 anos e continuo firme e forte." - Monty Roberts
June 23, 2015
Not just a book for the horsey set (I had read his "From My Hands to Yours: Lessons from a Lifetime of Training Championship Horses" before), this is an very interesting autobio.
I enjoyed the life and times described of his childhood in California during the 40's and 50's, his experiences in the movie world and as a competitive rider (all as a child ... it was definitely a very different time!) and later his work in Europe with horses.
Something I did not know about him was that he is completely colorblind (not just different shades than we see, it is a black and white world for him). Also his Cherokee grandmother did not speak English so he had to read her body language. Both probably contributed to how he can "read" horses.
I did know of the physical and emotional abuse he endured from his father which certainly had such an impact on his life. I have always been interested in the psychology of the father/ son relationship and,yes, his was horrific, but I don't get why this grown man who enjoyed an incredible and successful life is still so, so bitter about that even as he recognizes that he broke that cycle of abuse. Horses will have differences and compete for herd hierarchy but their herd still functions - like a family should. Why was Monty still estranged from his father at that man's death? Why didn't he learn the real lesson from horses .... how generous they are, that they will forgive?!?
AND I don't get his position that rodeo bronc riding is not cruel and those horses have a good life.
I enjoyed the life and times described of his childhood in California during the 40's and 50's, his experiences in the movie world and as a competitive rider (all as a child ... it was definitely a very different time!) and later his work in Europe with horses.
Something I did not know about him was that he is completely colorblind (not just different shades than we see, it is a black and white world for him). Also his Cherokee grandmother did not speak English so he had to read her body language. Both probably contributed to how he can "read" horses.
I did know of the physical and emotional abuse he endured from his father which certainly had such an impact on his life. I have always been interested in the psychology of the father/ son relationship and,yes, his was horrific, but I don't get why this grown man who enjoyed an incredible and successful life is still so, so bitter about that even as he recognizes that he broke that cycle of abuse. Horses will have differences and compete for herd hierarchy but their herd still functions - like a family should. Why was Monty still estranged from his father at that man's death? Why didn't he learn the real lesson from horses .... how generous they are, that they will forgive?!?
AND I don't get his position that rodeo bronc riding is not cruel and those horses have a good life.
May 14, 2015
This book is in the time period of the 1930's to the 1990's. The main character is Monty Roberts who is a horse whisperer who travels the world to help train horses. Monty's life is a roller coaster like anyone else. He came from the bottom to the top and much wisdom is shared.
I feel like it would be cool that at the end, Monty added a little writing from his children and how they love him and respect his job. There weren't any boring parts but in some areas the story goes into extreme detail and they become long. Some things I found inspiring were Monty's strong hope, his feelings (strongly emotional), and his sense of freedom. One of my favorite parts was when he helped Grandma (a hurt deer on his farm).
In conclusion, this book leaves many reasons to connect to it and some may connect with you. Many connection I could relate to like dealing with horses or going through hardships in life. I would recommend this book to people who interested in a career with horses or own a horse.
Have you ever wanted to meet the queen of England? See what Monty says when he does? Is your horse naughty? Read this book to find out how Monty can fix your problems. Have you been to the Kentucky Derby? Monty has trained many Kentucky Derby horses!
I feel like it would be cool that at the end, Monty added a little writing from his children and how they love him and respect his job. There weren't any boring parts but in some areas the story goes into extreme detail and they become long. Some things I found inspiring were Monty's strong hope, his feelings (strongly emotional), and his sense of freedom. One of my favorite parts was when he helped Grandma (a hurt deer on his farm).
In conclusion, this book leaves many reasons to connect to it and some may connect with you. Many connection I could relate to like dealing with horses or going through hardships in life. I would recommend this book to people who interested in a career with horses or own a horse.
Have you ever wanted to meet the queen of England? See what Monty says when he does? Is your horse naughty? Read this book to find out how Monty can fix your problems. Have you been to the Kentucky Derby? Monty has trained many Kentucky Derby horses!
May 21, 2012
I really love Monty Roberts' work. I've read other books by him and read a lot about his work with horses. I love how he describes the relationships he builds with horses and how he rehabilitates them with such love and care. In this book, he talks more about his childhood and how he came to do what he does now. You have a lot more of an understanding of why he trains horses with such gentility after hearing of his childhood and how his father treating him and his animals. I also enjoyed getting to read about the acomplishments he had with horses even at such a young age. He had such a determination and a love and a want to help these animals and he started when he was barely a teenager. I think it sent a really great message to anyone who as doubted themselves or their abilities because of their age. He's just another person that proves how you can do anything you want if you want it enough.
May 20, 2016
I've read this book several times, and it's been a great source of inspiration for the horse part of my life, for the past 11 years. It's time for my daughter to get her first horse, and I figured that it was time for me to re-read this excellent book.
There's so much I can relate to when it comes to Monty Roberts childhood with an abusive father (in my case it was step-father,) and how this affect his way of thinking about both people and horses. It's difficult to understand that the cruel way of horse training that Monty's father represented still is the norm. (Or variation of that training.) This book should be among the classic "must read" for every child in school. Even the ones not interested in horses have a lot to learn from Monty's philosophy.
I can't wait to join-up with our new horse!
There's so much I can relate to when it comes to Monty Roberts childhood with an abusive father (in my case it was step-father,) and how this affect his way of thinking about both people and horses. It's difficult to understand that the cruel way of horse training that Monty's father represented still is the norm. (Or variation of that training.) This book should be among the classic "must read" for every child in school. Even the ones not interested in horses have a lot to learn from Monty's philosophy.
I can't wait to join-up with our new horse!
April 13, 2009
Monty's relationship with his father had such an incredible impact on his life. Throughout the book, I was still seeing someone still looking for approval. My opinion is that Monty is still seeking it. The other poignant moment was when he talked about the number of people attending his father's funeral vs. his mother's funeral. A cruel confirmation on how we can turn away from what is really happening and how the forgotten the others become. It is truly a book of raw emotion behind his words hidden behind his successes.
March 16, 2016
Monty Roberts tries to come across as the only person who knows about horses and acts as if he invented the concept of "be kind to horses" and "don't abuse them when you train them". That's good advice except I have known people who gave him their horses for his demonstrations and he lied about them being never saddled and so forth. I read extensive articles countering much of what he wrote in this book. Is it a good adventure story and memoir - yeah it's pretty good. But is it truthful. Sorry, it is not. I don't recommend it on any level.
April 15, 2016
I guess I shouldn't have read the news reports about Monty Roberts exaggerations and claims that he lied about nearly everything. Maybe then I could have enjoyed his book as fiction, at least. I read this book after a bunch of my riding friends told me about it. They were into horses, training and saving mustangs and since I love animals i thought I would give it a try to. It's interesting but the reports totally blew it for me. I do understand how others who don't know about the claims against him would think it's good. Sorry, but just needed to comment about that.
May 26, 2009
I read this book several years ago when it was fashionable in the UK and when I was still riding. Interestingly all the riding instructors seemed to hate it. I found it fascinating and pretty much took it at face value. I find animal psychology fascinating in as much as it equally relates to humans (us other herd animals!) I think if you ride or are merely interested in horses this would be an interesting read.
June 13, 2011
The man who listens to horses
by Monty Roberts
Autobiography
I realy enjoyed this book. I had been very intrested in Montys work and how well he can relate to horses and think its amazing what he has learnt from horses.
from this text i learnt alot more about join-up and found it amazing that i could be done with many diffrent animals in the wild.
i recomend this book to anyone who wants to have a deeper conection with their horse.
by Monty Roberts
Autobiography
I realy enjoyed this book. I had been very intrested in Montys work and how well he can relate to horses and think its amazing what he has learnt from horses.
from this text i learnt alot more about join-up and found it amazing that i could be done with many diffrent animals in the wild.
i recomend this book to anyone who wants to have a deeper conection with their horse.
June 18, 2009
I just listened to this book, and several times, I didn't want to get out of the car. It was interesting. I want to learn more about how Monty interacts with the horses to get them trusting them because he says it's a similar concept for humans. Hmmm. . . His approach and methods have been very, very successful consistently. I was sad to learn that his dad was abusive.
January 12, 2011
An excellent book about overcoming the cycle of abuse, toward both humans and animals. His revolutionary approach to training horses changed the way I look at horses and how they are treated, as well as influenced my interactions with them. A relevant read for horse lovers and non-horse-people alike.
May 26, 2012
I read this years ago... can't remember when. It started the change in the way I communicated with my horses.
Monty Roberts' story - his life - is devoted to the horse.
For non-horse people, it's an interesting read.
For horse people... it could be the turning point in your equine relationships.
Monty Roberts' story - his life - is devoted to the horse.
For non-horse people, it's an interesting read.
For horse people... it could be the turning point in your equine relationships.
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