Wednesday January 23, 2019
|
|
Question
Hello Monty Roberts.
I'm hoping you can remember little Smurf who you worked with at Ottly college 2017, I'm sure you will be very pleased to hear we have managed and worked with him with great success to pick up his back hoofs with out kicking out any more.
The reason why I am messaging you is have have a huge problem to desensitize him to people. If you can remember, he is extremely scared of people and although I can desensitize him from any object, people are a huge problem for me, I have had him for coming up to 3 years now and although he half trusts me he still snorts at me in the stable and backs away, if we are out he does this mad panic like I'm going to beat him (I've never laid a finger on him) and his fright just takes over to the extent I've been to hospital several times with rope burns and broken fingers this year alone. I'm wondering when you are in the UK next so maybe you would come and do some one on one work with me or I could bring him to a venue that you are working at?
Looking forward to hear back from you.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Kind regards,
Hannah Sewell and Smurf
Answer
Dear Hannah,
I remember Smurf very well. He is not an easy case. People have not been kind to Smurf in the past. It is my opinion that horses have the greatest memory on earth. Please don’t blame him for what others did. You assumed these issues the day you agreed to take him in. Try your level best not to blame him for his fears. They are well founded memories.
Smurf can teach you so much about the stresses of being a horse. If you will just take a breath, relax and learn from him why it is so important to find a safe place. I have been through this so many times in my career and it's the Smurfs of the world who have taught me the highest percentage of my learning.
The most recent educator for me is called Benny.
Sincerely,
|
|
MONTY'S EQUUS ONLINE UNIVERSITY
THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
|
|
ONLINE REVIEW: MONTY'S GIDDY-UP ROPE
Very nice and painless!
"All I can say is I used this on my legs and arms very harshly and if it did not hurt me, it certainly will not hurt your horse! I’m very happy."
Jonathan B., Verified Buyer
|
|
THE MONTY ROBERTS INTERNATIONAL LEARNING CENTER
|
|
February 1 to 3, 2019: Introductory Course Module 1
|
|
February 8 to 10, 2019: Introductory Course Module 2
|
|
February 11 to 13, 2019: Long Lining Course
|
|
February 15 to 17, 2019: Horse Sense and Healing Workshop
|
|
February 19 to 21, 2019: Join-Up Course
|
|
February 22 to 24, 2019: Introductory Course Module 3
|
|
March 1 to 3, 2019: Prep for Introductory Exams Module 4
|
|
March 4 to 6, 2019: Join-Up Course
|
|
March 7 to 9, 2019: Long Lining Course
|
|
MONTY'S CHALLENGE
Test yourself each week as I challenge you to answer the question below. 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. Send your answer to my team at:
askmonty@montyroberts.com
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. I want all of my students to learn to be better trainers than me.That's good for you and good for horses!
~ Monty
NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION
Dear Mr. Roberts,
Since I began to ride over sixty years ago, I have almost constantly been encouraged to carry a whip. In some cases, horses that were always whipped, don't tend to respect the rider unless he carries it. I was taught to USE it too, and it can be very effective in getting what I want from the Horse!
I never really liked to use a whip, or crop, as we call it. Around age 17 I rode a horse who had been spoiled, Once there were no trainers about, I commenced riding, using the crop only when the Horse REFUSED to obey my signals, otherwise using natural aids only.
At the end of that hour I rode with no further use of the crop, and indeed, rarely ever used or even carried it again. For many years now, I always ride every horse without carrying a crop and almost always have no need to ask for one.
I am most definitely of the opinion that any horse trained without punishment, will never need punishment!
Many riding schools in Britain insist that riders carry a crop. I rode one Thoroughbred horse, who had been sold cheaply to the riding school because he was dangerous, bucking people off. I didn't carry a crop and although he bucked initially, he didn't throw me and after a few rides, stopped bucking. He was a marvellous ride!
The week before I first rode him, I watched him dispatch one of our trainers. When he napped (refused to go forward), she hit him. She landed about ten feet from where the horse was standing, all I thought was, don't carry a stick on Malone!
I do believe that any use of whips, sticks, or crops is unnecessary, and counterproductive. I equally firmly believe, that if they were not used, they never would be needed.
You might have concluded, from the forgoing, that I am an experienced, or even professional rider, but no, I have only ever been a weekend rider, and not a particularly strong rider at best. I always believed that animals should be understood, not bullied. I didn't like being bullied either!
Mr. Roberts, I have four of your books, all of which I have read,and reread. I have given away five or six copies of "
The Man Who Listens to Horses
" and have another already for someone else.
Thank you,
Melvyn Carter
|
|
SHOP AMAZON & SUPPORT THE NON-PROFIT MONTY FOUNDED
AmazonSmile has the same products, prices, and shopping features a Amazon.com. The difference is that when you
shop on AmazonSmile
,
the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice,
click here and support Join-Up International
.
Contributions may be made directly to Join-Up International's programs at:
|
|
From the collection of Pat Roberts Sculpture
Horse in Motion
$3,000
My first horse sculpture, completed in 1981. This is the last of a sold out edition; I broke the mold years ago. It recently came back to me, offered by someone who was downsizing. A rare find.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
