June 2006 E-Newsletter

Contents:

• A letter from Monty thanking the fine people of Scandinavia for their support of the gentle and effective concepts of Join-Up®
• Article: Monty nicknamed Làki the Muldvarpen, Danish for the mole because Làki even tried to crawl under the fence of the roundpen to avoid capture!
• Link: Horses help wounded soldiers walk again
• Q&A: Why does my horse refuse a jump?
• NEW SECTION: Monty's Principles for People
• Catch Monty on tour in Perth, Australia and Portugal. Click here!
• Upcoming issues

A Letter From Monty

Dear Friends,

On the 13th of April, I held my first demonstration in Iceland, and I was excited about the opportunity of meeting with the wonderful horsemen of that country and becoming further acquainted with a breed that I had come to respect since the early 1980’s. The Icelandic Horse is unique in so many ways and for someone who has spent a lifetime with horses, Iceland is an environment that I now know is mandatory before a career with horses is complete.

I’m not sure how many people realize that Iceland has only one breed of horse. I believe that this fact makes it unique to the world. Icelandic law is does not allow horses to be imported. Even if an Icelandic horse leaves the country, it is forbidden to return. These regulations have kept this breed pure for centuries.

There were several records set on the night of my event, and foremost was the fact that it was the first demonstration of its kind where every horse was from the same breed. I’m not sure if any demonstration has ever been sold out six weeks ahead of the event, but of the more than sixteen hundred that I have completed, it seems to me that this is a record.

Thor Kragh is an event organizer in Iceland. His primary activity has been musical concerts in the past. While Thor rode and loved horses as a youngster, he had never undertaken to manage a horse event of any kind. He got the support of the largest tack and equipment outlet in Reykjavik and pulled together a team that did a terrific job with my demonstration.

With usual procedures in place, my books, videos and DVDs were available along with the Dually ™ halter. I recall taking my signing stand during the half time intermission and suddenly realizing that there was a decided drop in the number of people bringing things for me to sign. I inquired as to the reason for this pause, and I was told that all items were sold out.

Since about 1997 it has been clear to me that the sale of books and videos are directly proportionate to the level of acceptance we have experienced from the audience on hand. When you do good demonstrations and the people are satisfied that they are learning something from your work, they want the educational tools you have to offer. In Reykjavik it was obvious that they appreciated the demonstration I was able to give them.

While I experienced several firsts on that night, probably the most unique aspect of it was not known to me until the following day. I was taken, along with my team, to a breeding and training operation where some of the highest performing champions were in residence. It was there that I was introduced to the riders who would be performing at this mini horseshow, which was planned and conducted for my team and me. When introduced to one of the young lady riders, a name was spoken that I couldn’t begin to understand; Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir was announced in an Icelandic accent. I understood nothing of it. But my attention was peaked when her name was followed by her title, “Miss World.” Unnur was chosen in 2005 and was the current “Miss World” when she attended my event, a fact I was totally unaware of until then.

One would have to check the fact sheets very closely to determine whether any other horseman in history has ever had “Miss World” in his audience, but I doubt it. Now with Richard Bach, the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation, John Grinder, founder of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), the Queen of England, Martina Hingis and now “Miss World,” how do you think that makes this cowboy feel?

Ironically, I remember several years ago that some individual went on the Internet saying that the methods of Monty Roberts wouldn’t work on Icelandic horses. When asked about it, I said that I had worked with several hundred in California and many in Germany, and it seemed to be very effective. After my trip to Iceland, I am in love with these horses and, in fact, my best demonstration so far in 2006 happened to be an Icelandic horse in Denmark.

From Reykjavik we flew to Oslo and made our way to the Brunstad Conference Centre in Vestfold, Norway. It was a beautiful building that our promoter, Kristin Host Grønvold, arranged for, and the event had a very large and receptive audience. For some reason, Norway seems to produce more professional horsemen who accept my concepts than almost anywhere on earth. It was a great experience. This was my second year in Norway and many returning ticket holders seem to enjoy my second offering even more than my first.

From there, we flew to Wilhelmsborg, Denmark. Maj-Britt Carter, a Certified Instructor in my concepts, organized my demonstration there. This was her second year to act in that role and she did a fantastic job. With every seat taken, we were pleased to host Crown Princess Mary. At the conclusion of the Wilhelmsborg demonstration, my statement to the team was “can it,” “preserve it,” “this is as good as it gets.”

The primary reason for that statement was the Icelandic horse called Làki [see story in this issue]. I have written other pieces about him and so have people that experienced his demonstration. The bottom line is “he was wild” and would not allow himself to be caught. It took four people to catch him during the horse selection process and they had to wrap him up with extra panels to create a mini round pen about 12 feet in diameter.

During the demonstration I expected to have to resort to the same procedure at first, and then move on to training measures that would allow me to catch him. The act of joining up, to my great surprise, did the trick. Làki came to me and followed me like a bonded dog. I didn’t catch him. He caught me.

From Wilhelmsborg the team flew to Gothenburg, Sweden to begin a three-stop tour of that country promoted by Ann Lindberg. It was a great experience and an obvious building of interest over last year’s one event. There were great audiences and good horses. More on Sweden later as it has so much good news to talk about. Now enjoy meeting Làki in the next article.

-Monty

Article: Icelandic Làki stole the show at Vilhelmsborg
By Anne Mette Holm Halvorsen

Monty Roberts was the name on the ticket, but for many present at Vilhelmsborg, The Danish National Centre for Equine Sports, on 22 April 2006 another gentleman turned out to be the real star of the show – a 10 year old Icelandic horse named Làki.

In the morning prior to the show, Monty Roberts chooses, but never as much as touches, the horses he wants to use in the show itself. During horse selection, Monty Roberts and his people do not work with the horses, but observe the horses from the round pen and query their owner as to the specific challenge. It is very important that they are not prepared before the show, as that would ruin the chance for the audience to see how these methods work right from the beginning.

Làki caught the attention of about 60 people who were in attendance during the selection. The owner, Bettina Vestergaard, had warned that Làki would not be caught. All the same, everyone was surprised when it took four experienced horsemen to catch the small horse in a roundpen of only 16 meters across. In fact, they had to bring in extra panels and create a smaller area of about 3 meters across in order to make the capture. “I sat next to Monty during selection,” Bettina says, “and it was apparent that he was itching to get into the roundpen and work with the horse. But obviously he couldn’t if he wanted to use Làki in the show.” Làki was nicknamed Muldvarpen (the mole) by Monty Roberts – who learnt to say the word in Danish – because the horse even tried to crawl under the fence of the roundpen to avoid capture.

Everyone who had been present during the morning’s selection process therefore paid extra attention when Làki entered the roundpen with Monty Roberts during the show. Especially when he let the horse loose.

In a very short time and by using the technique Join-Up®, Monty Roberts had earned the trust of the shy little horse, and he followed Monty everywhere. He did not have to catch Làki. Làki caught him.

“If I had any reservations about these methods, they are completely gone now,” Bettina explains. She bought the horse in August from a place where he was sent to be started. It was, however, pointless to try to ride the horse when he had such big trust issues that had to be solved first. It took three men to catch the horse in his box stall when Bettina came to get him.

“What probably made the biggest impression on me, and moved me the most, was Làki’s behaviour when I went to him at the stables after the show. In the morning he had been very agitated to the point where the vet checked his pulse to be sure he was alright. Some claim that horses stress out over Join-Up, but Làki was completely calm and relaxed afterwards. He was yawning, eating his food, stretching, and obviously completely at ease, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders for the first time since I've known him. I simply cannot have any reservations about this method of training after seeing the difference it has done for my horse. After all, I know him so well.”

”Làki is a horse, I will remember for many years to come,” Monty Roberts said during the show. He was obviously touched by the trust shown him by the little horse after Join-Up, and afterward he urged Bettina to continue working with Làki.

Bettina is determined to follow up on the good experiences from Vilhelmsborg. ”I want Maj-Britt Carter (Monty's student) to continue the work with him. I have read and heard a little about Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks in the past, but haven’t paid it much attention. Now I have really been inspired and want to know more. My horse has already shown that he can do it - it is up to me now.”

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June 14 , 2006 Question and Answer

Question: Why does my horse refuse a jump?

Answer: Undoubtedly, you have overmatched him at some point. Get the fences lower, let him have fun, and rebuild his confidence. Elevate the fences gradually, attempting to discover his maximum capability.

- Monty

NEW SECTION
Monty's Principles for People
Part I of a three part series

HOW MONTY SAVED ME
By M. Y. Mim

Millions know Monty Roberts as the "horse whisperer," the man who discovered the language of Equus and revolutionized the way horses are trained around the world.

Others also know that Monty and his wife Pat have been foster parents to dozens of young people, applying theories of non-violence and positive training.

However, very few people know that Monty and Pat also befriend the disabled.

I have never received so much as a dime personally from the Roberts, but I consider myself someone whom they have helped as much as any of the thousands of horses or the kids who grew up on the ranch.

That's because I found relief for my disability in therapeutic horseback riding and Monty provides enormous financial support every year for centers such as the one I attend.

I didn't even begin riding until I was 49 years old, nearly five years ago. I came to it because I longed to go where cars can't, and with the disabling disease fibromyalgia, my legs couldn't get me there.

Before my illness, diagnosed in 1990, I kayaked, backpacked, jogged, camped and generally considered myself the outdoorsy type. I also worked as a full-time professional, an active mom and wife, volunteered for a number of social causes and read enough to belong to two book groups!

By 1996, I became so ill, I collapsed at the doctor's office and never returned to work again. I pretty much spent the next five years in bed.

No one knows the cause - or cure - for fibromyalgia, although an objective diagnostic test exists. Generally, it presents as a sleep disorder (we never get into the deep sleep stage) with chronic pain and chronic fatigue. If you've ever had mononucleosis or the worst flu ever, remember how every molecule felt weary and tired? That's what it's like. On a good day, my functional capacity is about 50% of a "normal" person's. The constant pain further saps energy.

And wouldn't you know it: That which is most difficult for us to do is that which helps us most - exercise. We're too tired to get out of bed, and walking around the block may take as much perseverance as doing the Iron Man triathlon, with the same resulting fatigue, but the more we stay in bed, the harder it gets to move at all and the more the pain increases.

The first exercise I could handle was Pilates. I loved it, but too costly for a disability income. Then I moved to warm-water, low-aerobic special classes in the pool at a rehab center. This helped considerably - but it wasn't getting me outdoors to wild places.

A friend talked about therapeutic horseback riding. The idea seems so contradictory. How can bouncing around on a horse help someone with back and shoulder muscle problems? Well, as all good riders know, if you ride well, you don't bounce.

Actually, when you ride well, you're body is in perfect posture. The sidebar story about the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) explains it well. Basically, therapeutic riding assists the disabled through posture, strengthening muscle groups, stretching, increasing flexibility and stamina. As horse-lovers know, there is no substitute for the affection and connection we feel with our equine buddies. Autistic, Downs Syndrome and retarded individuals of all levels feel this bond which calms them, makes them happy, centers them and increases self-esteem.

And Monty and Pat help make this possible.

From 1996 through 2005, the Roberts estimate than $1.6 million has been donated from Monty and Pat Roberts Inc. tours to therapeutic riding, 4-H and FFA clubs. Just last fall, Pat generously donated a bas-relief she sculpted as an auction item for Hearts Adaptive Therapeutic Riding Center in Santa Barbara, CA.

Hearts Adaptive is where I ride and where I came to fall in love with all things equine. My experience there "spurred" me on to exhaustive research and further riding.

Both in 2003 and 2005 I received scholarships to participate in a week-long horse backpacking wilderness experience in the Colorado Rockies. These trips, led by Barbara Staples of Backcountry Discovery, allow disabled people to ride and camp in the wilderness. As far as I know, this is the only group in the country that offers such trips.

My first trip, my goal was simply to make it. I wasn't sure I could. When we climbed to 10,000 feet elevation and I could see Canada in the distance, and look down on an alpine meadow with a herd of elk gathered within, and smell the essence of nature, and hear nothing but natural sounds, I knew I'd really made it.

Now trail riding has become my great passion. Wherever I travel, I make a point of scheduling a ride. I've ridden so many times at Coyote Ridge Stables, in Morongo Canyon above Palm Springs, that the owners and I are now personal friends. I joined Las Padres Trail Riders, a local riding group. The first time a kind member lent me her horse. On my first ride I met Debbie, who owns too many horses and has too little time. Now I ride with Debbie as often as twice a week, (in addition to my weekly lesson at Hearts) when health and weather permit. We've now spent the last two Christmases riding in Los Angeles' famous Griffith Park, the best celebration we could imagine.

My big goal for 2006 is to get a horse of my own, a rescued mustang, of course, entirely inspired by Monty. And I plan to ride the whole length of the Pacific Coast Trail by the time I'm 60 (which means about 300-400 miles a year)!

I couldn't even begin to dream so big if it weren't for Hearts. And Hearts couldn't have helped me without NARHA and the wonderful generosity of Monty and Pat Roberts to disabled riders.

Thanks, Monty and Pat!

About the Author: M. Y. Mim has been a professional writer and editor for nearly 30 years. She spent the last decade of her career at The Seattle Times. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1990, her condition worsened to the point that she was forced to leave work in 1996 and declared permanently disabled. Spurred by missing the outdoors and the backcountry, she began therapeutic horseback riding at Hearts Adaptive in 2001 and instantly fell in love with all things equine. Writing about riding combines her two passions.

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Look for these upcoming issues!

• Monty's article on clicker training
• Monty promotes young riders in New York
• Monty teaches only one in-depth clinic this year!
• How Monty Saved Me, By M. Y. Mim
• A Visit to the Omega Alpha Academy

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