October 2006 E-Newsletter
Contents:
• Dear Friends: A Backstage Pass
• Monty hosts upcoming all new RFD TV episodes from around the world
• Survey Results: Thanks for helping us name our new DVD The Perfect Match: Monty’s Guide to Buying a Horse (coming November)!
• Q&A: "Both my horses are afraid of the water"
• Monty's Principles for People: Horse Sense for Parents, Teachers and Guardians
• Monty’s Challenge: NEW FEATURE!
• Meet Cherokee and Shellie in their Punk Costumes!
• Catch Monty on tour in the UK, Netherlands and Switzerland. Click here!
• Upcoming issues
Dear Friends
Dear Friends,
Its a lot of fun to be able to bring you experiences from the world tours but it would be a lot more fun if all of you were here! I write this from England where we are again filming every horse I work with on this tour. Last year marked one of the most exciting chapters of my career because we filmed 140 horses and chose seventeen of the best demonstrations in ten countries involving a kaleidoscope of horse breeds. These horses taught me some of the most powerful lessons to date.
I chose the most unique, educational and entertaining horses for a new DVD called Backstage Pass that will be available in January. You will feel like you are there with me because we placed a camera near the gate where the horses enter the round pen and you get a ‘backstage’ view of the events. In this DVD I narrate the lessons and relate the stories that came with the chosen horses. Each proves that when you get your work right training horses should be a joy - not a battle. I think it will be fascinating for any horse lover.
I applaud those of you who have written us with your answers to the weekly questions. I hope all of you have gained insight from this new feature. I am so proud to see the concepts becoming second nature to so many horse owners. Continue this exercise and build on your education by offering to help others with these concepts. Pass them on and share the force-free effectiveness they offer. I look forward to many more of you writing to me at the contacts my organization provides at www.montyroberts.com.
-Monty
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Coming November 3! See Monty on RFD TV starting Friday 3:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M., Saturday 6:30 A.M., and Sunday 1:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Times. Photo: Moriah White
October 18 , 2006 Question and Answer
Question: I have two young horses turning five and they are both afraid of water and being bathed. I have avoided trying to force water on them and wonder what you do to get them to the point of bathing without fear. I am afraid of making them more nervous than they already are so I haven't done alot at this point. What is your method for this?
Monty's Answer: I answer this question quite often. I tell people that if they have a spare stall that they don’t mind getting wet put a horse in there and you get a stool or a table so you can reach over the wall. You have a pistol grip on the hose and you start out wit a fine mist remembering that a horse can stand out in the rain without any problem. It seems to be just when the water hisses from the hose under pressure.
The point here is to show the horse that there is no pain connected to the water from the hose. In a very short period of time the horse will stand for a fog shower. After that you can begin to put a bit more direct stream on your horse. When he will stand rather comfortably for this procedure, then you can move on to the next step.
My recommendation for a second step in this process is to slightly open the door, put the pistol grip through it and begin to spray the floor all around the horse. Gradually work up the legs and onto the body as he becomes relaxed with the process. If you chose a good hot day your horse will probably love it in a matter of 10 minutes or so.
-Monty
Monty's Principles for People
Dear Monty: How do you handle parents that undermine and circumvent, even if unknowingly, when you are trying to help a child?
Monty’s Answer: Often times people bring me horses that have behavioral traits that are appalling. Sometimes these remedial problems are even quite dangerous. When I investigate the history of the horse along with the people in its life I discover that the horse has been trained to do the negative acts that I observe. By this I mean that possibly unknowingly the people will reward the horse for negative behavior.
When this scenario develops, I call in the human connections to this horse. I explain my findings and I attempt to gain an agreement with them that they will alter their pattern of treatment so that the horse can enjoy a successful transition to better behavior.
When this scenario develops I call in the human connections to this horse. I explain my findings and I attempt to gain an agreement with them that they will alter their pattern of treatment so that the horse can enjoy a successful transition to better behavior.
Fixing the horse is usually the least of my worries. If I cannot get cooperation from the human connections, I have very little chance. These animals will usually return to their negative patterns within a few days of unacceptable treatment. It matters not how good a job I did. It will still be regarded as failure.
I feel confident that by this time in my story you are seeing great similarities between the horse and your students. I have spent many sleepless nights trying to work out how to handle situations quite similar to the one you have described. Over the years I have learned that there are certain circumstances for which you can assume little responsibility.
Each of us must be certain that we have exhausted every effort to do a good job both with our student and our parent. It is however the obligation of the parent to meet you somewhere in the middle with a positive attitude and a desire to learn a potentially better way of handling the child. I realize that the teachers cannot spend hours with every set of parents but good teachers certainly regard assisting parents as a large part of a job well done.
-Monty
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NEW FEATURE!
Monty’s Challenge
I want all of my students to learn to be better trainers than me! Test yourself each week as I challenge you to answer the question from below by writing to newsletter@montyroberts.com. I mean this. Sit down and write an answer. Don't wait for my answer next week.
If you have been reading my Weekly Questions and Answers for the last six months, you should be in a position to do this.
Why should you bother? Because it will help you focus. There is probably a comparable question in your life that needs answering – or will be. If you can gain insight into how to go about answering a practical question that is loosely related to your problem, this exercise will help you answer your nagging question.
Then read my answer. Then read my other answers at this link: Ask Monty. The closest answer to mine each week will be awarded a DVD but more importantly you will learn! That's good for you! That's good for horses!
-Monty
Next Week’s Question to Answer:
My horse is bored in the stable. How can I solve this? Are there tricks or toys for horses who has to stay in a stable many hours a day?
Cherokee
I love his name. I love him…Cherokee is my six year old mustang.
The first time I laid eyes on Cherokee, ironically was at the Equine Affaire in Pomona four months before ever knowing he would be mine. I watched Monty show his methods during this clinic with Cherokee and other horses that weekend. Cherokee stood out to me with his beautiful mane and tail. There was something about him that I can’t explain. I took photos of Cherokee that day. Wow! I didn’t know he was going to be mine.
I went to the Monty Roberts Join-Up® clinic for a week and Cherokee was used in the clinic but I didn’t recognize him. I liked the horse. I met instructor Anna there who let me know there were a couple of horses in need of a home.
I don’t know what I was thinking. My daughter Katrina and I already had two horses. But because I was afraid to have her ride my thoroughbred, I had bought her a sway-back pack horse – what a sight! Katrina wasn’t too happy but I knew she was safe. She wanted another horse.
The day trainer Wayne introduced Cherokee to me face to face and I could see he was very fond of this horse. He had worked with him the whole time using Monty’s methods. I asked him about safety for Katrina. He immediately said “Cherokee is safe!” Until this moment I still hadn’t put it together that this was the horse from the Equine Affaire. Most of Monty’s horses had great manes and tails!
So I rode Cherokee that day and had no fear. He was “the one”.
The next week I brought Katrina to see him. She instantly loved him too. We had to have him right then. We arranged for the transportation.
Within weeks Cherokee was at our stables in Bishop, California (the Sierra Nevadas near where Cherokee was born). That was over two years ago. Since then, Cherokee has become my horse as Katrina is a busy teen without the time needed to ride regularly. When she does, it's always Cherokee!
Cherokee has always proven himself to be the kindest, gentlest horse around. It’s funny that people are quick to judge because he is “a mustang”. Cherokee and I proudly show him off. He knows this and those same people end up saying, “I’ve never seen a mustang like him". People offer to buy him all the time – he’s priceless!
He even got to my trainers. Cherokee rides English and Western. He’s still a baby; learning and always willing.
Cherokee is the cutest jumper. There is a look about him as he takes on new things. It’s a kid-type approach and we laugh and say “Well, he’s still a kid!”
Crossing his first streams and puddles, he always had to start with a straddle as if to say “If my legs are spread this far apart, you won’t make me do this.” He takes a minute to check things out in a child-like manner. Then it’s another accomplishment Cherokee style…
Cherokee’s first swim: what a riot! That boy looked at the others going in deep and instead of getting weird about it, it was as if he said “What’s this? I’m going in too!” Until his feet were off the ground, I could feel his legs kicking the slimy muck under him like a cat with his feet wet. I thought, “Oh, another Cherokee thing!”
Once swimming you could see there was never a trust issue but he was like a kid trying a new adventure. Once in, he was excited he could swim with the big boys. He loves to swim. Now I have to look out on the trail for deep water so he can play in it. His cuteness always shines through.
Cherokee’s personality reflects his great start but he can play games with the best of them!
The ranch owner and trainer Hilkey, charged me with the task of catching Cherokee for his shots. She said she tried for 45 minutes to catch him. She was pretty fired up. He plays the game. He knows the way he wants it done.
I walk in and act like I’ll have nothing to do with him. He can be quite far away but pretty quick he is at my side. I play too and walk away. He follows because he wants to be with me! I love showing this off!
Cherokee can rake in the ribbons competing with great riders and well trained horses. Cherokee places among top trainers and their horses and has placed ahead of them as well. I am the one who can mess things up sometimes. Such potential! At the Western States Wild Horse and Burro Show we competed against 150 riders and Cherokee placed in nearly every one of the nearly 25 classes.
I learned he likes barrel racing too. He is not a speed king but I saw him compete with a 22 second time. He got mad at me for turning the wrong way. I was new at it!
I threw him in a cow sorting class. Issues? Not once! Cherokee is fearless. He just takes it all in stride.
A mustang magazine editor was especially interested in Cherokee and more so when he found him to be Monty’s project.
Cherokee loves punk rock and to dress up. He’s a fantastic looking punk rocker. He closes his eyes for his bright eye makeup and hair paint. His striped socks have never been an issue. His chains once got tangled up but he just stopped so I could fix them. Not once was he scared even when my punk belt broke from his neck. We had to hurry for the costume class and he knew we were rushing!
As we were presented as Mr. and Mrs. Goth, the audience was laughing so hard! Cherokee knew he was the center of attention and soaked it up!
Cherokee won a first place ribbon again. Next class, we have plans to pump air into his sumo-wrestler costume! I have no worries that attaching something like that to Cherokee will be an issue!
Cherokee is such a quick learner. Usually he picks up what I want in about five minutes. He’s six now and is learning to count by sliding his foot when I say “Count to ten Cherokee”. He has reached two. I wanted him to shake but I guess this should remain a dog trick.
At Cherokee’s next show he will have mastered how to take a bow. We just started working on that. Once again, it’s me who can be confusing. We got the leg out there but I am not sure how to tell him where to go from there. But he understands. I feel he’s thinking “What are you up to now? What crazy thing are we doing next?” But it’s OK. Trust is always there and he always ends up doing it right.
If Cherokee hadn’t come along, I don’t think I would still be into horses. He has changed my whole outlook on everything in the horse world. I don’t need, nor want an expensive horse that has a good name …mustang Cherokee is the only “brand” name for me. And thanks to Monty Roberts’ great start, I have a wonderful friend to learn with; one I can put a baby on or a brand new rider and know that Cherokee will handle it with the charm and respect he always has given.
Cherokee had such a wonderful start that the only thing you get from him is a great heart that is eager to please; all the while he still behaves like a little kid that is so cute.
Thank you, Monty and Wayne for my beautiful, trustworthy friend Cherokee who always makes me a proud owner of a mustang!
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Look for these upcoming issues!
• Prince Phillip with Monty at the Horse of the Year Show
• More New DVDs soon available!
• New Feature Coming! Join-Up® Moments
• Horses First Club: more good news!
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