November 2005 E-Newsletter
Contents:
• A letter from Monty: More people are becoming students of Join-Up and Equus - the message of trust and communication from the horses
• One horse owner's experience with Monty's demonstration and Join-Up
• NEW review of The Horses In My Life
• This week's Question and Answer
• Catch Monty on tour in Holland and Belgium. Click here!
• Monty’s recommended holiday gifts
• Upcoming Issues
A Letter From Monty: More people are becoming students of Join-Up and Equus - the message of trust and communication from the horses
Dear Friends
This past month was just consumed with the exciting task of spreading the horses’ message of trust and non-violent communication. I have been in front of approximately 36,000 eager students (live audiences) since writing the last newsletter, not to mention being a part of a segment on the national television news magazine NIGHTLINE in the US. I enjoyed meeting many new faces on the tour of the UK and on my Horses In My Life book tour and I thank all of you involved with that.
I am now preparing for travel to my favorite “down time” destination which is a famous stud farm in Germany where I take a few weeks to start some babies (two year old Thoroughbreds). I have been taking this “vacation” for fourteen years now and it is truly one of the highlights of my year.
I hope to meet new friends in Belgium and Holland at the end of month and in Vancouver BC, Canada on December 1 as well. Next month I would like to share with you the progress that the Konocti Unified School District is making as Shy Boy and I will visit them early in December.
I am compelled to share with you one special night that occurred at The Hand Equestrian Center, Clevedon in Somerset, UK a few weeks ago.
During the course of a veterinarian inspection of the horses I was told by an owner that they had brought me a horse that was phobically frightened of bicycles. I have no idea what transpired in this horse’s life to ingrain within him this overwhelming disdain but the owner convinced me that it existed.
Chester was healthy and I accepted him as my second horse for the evening’s proceedings. The plan was to get a good Join-Up® and school him to the Dually halter so that I achieved optimum control of his movements. Once those procedures were complete I gave a signal to four of my assistants who were waiting in the wings. With that, they entered the body of the building, each riding a bicycle. They began to ride in a circle outside of the round pen and about 15 feet (5 meters) or so from the fence. Chester went ballistic and for a minute or two I thought I was going to have to call them off. He began to settle a bit and I went to work schooling him with the Dually halter when he was negative and giving him great praise and comfort when he was positive. Within three to four minutes I asked an assistant to open the gate and the four helpers actually rode the bicycle into the round pen.
Chester and I took a position square in the middle of the pen and I asked my cyclist to circle as close to the fence as possible. Within six to seven minutes from the time the bicycles came in to the building I was asking them one at a time to ride toward the center allowing Chester to assess and even smell each bicycle. Throughout this procedure I was schooling with the Dually when he was negative and stroking him to reward when he was positive.
I suppose I used about four to five minutes of this acquainting procedure and then I asked three of the cyclists to leave the round pen. Dan Wilson, my rider for the evening, remained on his bicycle inside. At this point we really went to work and Dan was riding up to Chester more often and with more speed. It was easy to see that Chester was becoming less frightened as we progressed. There was a certain time in which I could determine that Chester was no longer frightened of the bicycle.
At that point in time I asked Dan to take the lead and actually lead Chester around the round pen from his bicycle. Approximately 25 minutes into the entire procedure, Dan removed the lead and circled the round pen with Chester following totally comfortable with this sight of the “killer” bicycle.
It was a good demonstration. It showed the value of Join-Up and the use of the Dually halter. The final value however would only be known when the owner would request the same behavior at home in the next few days. The letter we received contains the answer regarding the “acid test”.
- Monty
One horse owner's experience with Monty's demonstration and Join-Up Emma Brownhill and Chester share the Follow-Up story of the Killer Bicycle:
I brought my horse Chester to one of Monty's demo's at the beginning of October. My horse was petrified of pushbikes (our term for bicycles in England). I am writing to say how well he's doing since Monty worked with him.
The day after we got home from the demo, I was thinking that Chester did amazingly well that night with Monty, but how will he be at home with me? So out came the pushbike from the barn. He did have a look at if and was snorting a little, which was nothing compared to beforehand. I propped it up outside his stable for awhile for him to have a look at it.
(Then I got his Dually Halter, which is FANTASTIC! No more getting pulled from one end of the yard to the other anymore!! Total control, which not only helps me, but helps Chester learn some manners!)
I had my friend push the bike around the yard at first to see how he reacted. He seemed a little nervous but then after a few minutes he was following the bike around the yard on his own accord, which was just amazing. (I did this a couple of times before we went out on the road). So that was great; then just yesterday I was out riding on the country roads when we came across a guy on a pushbike. In the country lanes there isn't much room to do anything if your horse kicks off, as you can imagine. So I was just talking to Chester, patting him and encouraging him to go forward rather than backwards (which is what usually happens). He just looked at the bike and walked past it!!! I was in total shock because before I would have to ask the person to stop on the bike or ask them to get off it, or most of the time I wouldn't have the chance to do anything as he would be performing in the middle of the road and we'd end up at home unannounced! I was just in total shock that he walked straight past him! That doesn't mean he is totally cured but he has VASTLY improved. I am still working using Monty's techniques.
Thank you so much for helping find the correct way to help my horse overcome his fears.
Thanks again, you are amazing!
Emma Brownhill (and Chester!)
A note from Monty: I commend this owner for her follow up. Horses, just like people, have habits. Emma is habituating positive behavior established at my demonstration. Chester is well on his way to new habits, forgetting his phobic fear of bicycles. - Monty
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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 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. While they last, get a signed copy from Monty!
Have you already read The Horses In My Life? We would love to share your review. Please write to newsletter@montyroberts.com to share your reading experience. Those chosen to be published in these emails will receive a complimentary Join-Up® logo cap with Monty’s message of Gentleness, Trust and Communication.
Review: "I have loved horses since my childhood and have known a few personalities, but never been privileged to own a horse. I am about the same age as Monty and my best chance of gaining knowledge about horses will come from continuing to read Monty's books.
Monty's new book relating the stories of a few of the horses who made a difference in his life as he was able to make improvements in their lives gives the reader great insight into horses. I tried to read only one story each evening as if I were savoring a delicious dessert at the end of the day. It was difficult to do the first time through the book, but I am finding it easier the second time around.
Mac McFatter"
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November 16, 2005 Question and Answer
Question: Is it harder to get a very dominant horse to do Join-Up?
Answer:
Yes, it’s a bit harder, but when I say a bit harder I mean just that. While it may be slightly more difficult, I recommend that the horseman not dwell on the negative. The toughest Join-Up is so much easier than the best of the traditional methods that you should look forward to having fun with the process. Do Join-Up and count your blessings.
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Look for these upcoming issues!
• Progress report from Konocti Unified School District and other news from the educators using Join-Up concepts as taught in the book Horse Sense for People
• The miraculous story of Maddison of Western Australia and her love of horses
• Book tour appearances for The Horses In My Life – the only way to get a personalized copy!
• Read Monty's answer next week to the question: “I am having a difficult time deciding what bit to use on my horse. Why would you recommend your bit over the typical ones I find on the market? And how do the various sizes affect me and my horse?''
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