September 2005 E-Newsletter
Contents:
A Letter From Monty: How to Speak So Horsemen Will Listen
Dear Friends,
I am writing this from Madrid, Spain where I have just demonstrated to an entirely new audience of people that are very unfamiliar with my concepts. This country, in general, is more familiar with the traditional forms of horse breaking but after meeting thousands of new friends in Barcelona, Estepona and Madrid, I am convinced that many horsemen here are ready for a new way to communicate with their partner, Equus!
I think this newsletter affords me an opportune medium to broach the subject of how you can talk to someone who, in your opinion, is abusing a horse. I am writing this for Audra, Martina, Rachael, April and all of you who have written to me asking for an answer to this dilemma.
When one observes violence or outright brutality being used on horses that is clearly against the law, I recommend reporting that person to the legal authorities as soon as possible (laws vary, so be informed).
If someone is acting violently but you believe that it is within accepted standards legally, it presents you with an entirely different problem. If, in fact, you don’t know the people at all you will probably have to grit your teeth and walk away.
I am most often asked how to speak up when a friend, trainer or peer is working with a horse in a manner that they believe could be improved if that person better understood the language of the horse. I suggest that you first wait until the situation has cooled down and then approach the subject in a polite fashion.
Horses are less complex psychologically than humans. Horses can’t lie and don’t have egos that can get in the way of learning. That being said, I think it is a mistake and ineffective to approach a horse owner or trainer to tell them how they are doing it all wrong. As a reader of this E-Newsletter, I assume that you are a student of my methods. If you reflect back, you may remember a time when you were not familiar with my methods and may have used force in a way you would never consider today. You didn’t think of yourself as a violent person; you were working with the information that you had at that time. If you approach the owner/trainer with that same assumption, I believe you will have a better chance of keeping his/her mind open. You could relate to them your frustrations in the past. If they are having trouble loading a horse, for example, you could say that you had the same problem until you learned my methods and then loan them one of my videos. Tell them it really worked!
In a recent issue of this E-Newsletter I suggested that you come see me at one of my upcoming demonstrations. I find that most people that are skeptical of new methods have really done little homework and huge percentages have never seen me in person.
The more you emphasize that my methods are a breakthrough in understanding the language of the horse and not just about my talents, the more a person’s mind will stay open. You will find that in the majority of my demonstrations I include a student to prove that the techniques can be performed by others; not just me. I have been working at this for over six decades. I should be good by now! If you are a dedicated student of my Join-Up methods, you can be even better. I have now received two doctorates in Behavioral Sciences from distinguished institutions and envision the day when the world understands the power of these concepts as the status quo to create a wonderful partnership between humans and these amazing animals.
I believe that when adrenalin is 'up' learning is 'down'. This means that causing pain or fear to horses only serves to frighten and leave them unable to process what we actually want them to do. Hitting the flight animal can never instill trust. Those people who train through fear and intimidation will get results, but a horse that performs because he wants to will most likely outshine one that behaves in the way they are told they must. Much is the same with people and I am sure this concept will make sense to you as well as people you talk to. I believe that no one has the right to say "You must or I'll hurt you.” If we believe that we should deal with horses in a force-free manner, we should also believe that it is appropriate for us to deal with other beings in a force-free manner as well. We cannot force horse owners to believe as we do. Our actions toward people should be held to the same level of scrutiny.
I encourage you to be a lifetime student of the concepts of force-free training, as I am, to increase your conviction of their effectiveness. This should increase your confidence to speak up and perhaps even demonstrate to those unfamiliar with Join-Up® and the language of Equus. Perhaps some of you reading this will someday become one of my Certified Instructors. I welcome that!
We must remember that we will not be able to change the world overnight. It is necessary to use good judgment so as not to further anger the person involved. Whereever possible, avoid confrontation and try to be a good role model demonstrating a better way to treat horses.
- Monty
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Weekly Question & Answer: September 14, 2005
Question: "I had two horses at home and I brought a new one in. One horse accepted him and the other did not. Can you help with this?"
Read Monty's answer.
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New Review of The Horses In My Life!
These 52 horses were Monty’s teachers and friends. Learn why horses can teach us about the value of choice, communication and trust. This makes a beautiful gift for any lover of animals and those interested in what makes Monty a passionate advocate for non-violence in both the horse and human world.
Signed copies are still available while supplies last. Call 1(888)U2-MONTY or shop online. Or come see Monty next week at Equine Affaire Kentucky and tell him you read this newsletter!
"This thoroughly enjoyable collection of real-life horse stories comes from the author of the international best seller The Man Who Listens to Horses. Roberts has spent his entire life working with horses and is the inventor of the popular "Join-Up" training method. His mantra, "violence is never the answer," has been borne out in his relationships with thousands of horses over the years. For this book, he selects 52 of the most significant horses in his life and shares their stories; stories that are especially engaging because he has learned something from each of the animals about whom he writes. Evident in his writing, which is complemented by more than 50 black-and-white and color photographs, is Roberts's joy in working with horses as well as his understanding of their language. After enjoying these stories, readers will feel like they have gotten to know Roberts and made 52 new equine friends. Recommended for public libraries." -Deborah Emerson, The Library Journal
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Monty’s upcoming appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Extreme Makeover! Monty has a guest appearance on Sunday evening, October 2, 2005 Share this with all those EM:HE fans and friends of yours. Tell them to sign up for this newsletter before we publish Monty’s story of the behind-the-scenes experience with Ty Pennington and the Team!
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See Monty this week at Equine Affaire Kentucky in booth #330 and support the SPCA and horses affected by Hurricane Katrina
Stop by and help Monty raise funds to help the horses who have suffered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina!
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Look for these upcoming issues!
• Equine Affaire Schedule: Click here!
• Photos from Melbourne, Australia
• Book tour appearances for The Horses In My Life – the only way to get a personalized copy!
• A one-sided horse? Read Monty’s answer next week!
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