Wednesday January 30, 2019
|
|
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 marvelous 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
Answer
Dear Melvyn,
In this particular incident, our beliefs and concepts are so far apart that it's difficult for me to be fair with an answer. Whatever works to cause the horse to want to do the procedure is OK with me so long as it is not violent. My belief is that the use of pain is always counter productive and never productive. One can disagree with that notion but that is where I stand. As the world turns you are seeing more and more success coming from trainers who produce less and less pain in the training process.
Sincerely,
|
|
MONTY'S EQUUS ONLINE UNIVERSITY
THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
|
|
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
|
|
PRODUCT REVIEW: MONTY'S BOOKS
Purchase of THE MAN WHO LISTENS TO HORSES
I'm a Monty fan, I already took a
course on Join-Up techniques
and I had the opportunity to talk to Monty when he was in Florianopolis in Brazil. It has been a pleasure to
buy this book
directly with you here in the USA. The process was fast and I received the book. Thank you Monty.
Rafael O.
Verified Buyer
|
|
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
Hello, my name is Jack. I’m 9 years old! And I have a pony issue! My pony is a 13.2 Gypsy Vanner called Bonnie. She’s my best friend. Everything about her is perfect except her feet! From her knees down to her hooves is too dangerous for me. She freaks out bucking, pawing and jumps about. I want to be able to pick my ponies feet up myself, instead of getting an adult to do it! Please help us!
Thank you,
Jack Ford
|
|
FOR OUR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
|
|
Monty Roberts is running free, resilience-building workshops for veterans, police, fire, first responders and their families. Horse Sense and Healing is a three-day program and it involves working closely with horses. The individuals and horses develop a special bond built upon mutual trust and respect. Join-Up offers everyone an effective tool to rediscover themselves through the eyes of the horse. This self-awareness exercise deals effectively with emotional trauma, anti-social behavior and withdrawal, anger, stress, combat stress and even Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI).
READ MORE
|
|
REDUCING VIOLENCE THROUGH WORKSHOPS
WITH HORSES GLOBALLY
|
Dear Team at Flag is Up Farms,
As the Youth Recreation Coordinator for the City of Buellton I wanted to express my gratitude for the first class treatment and instruction the youth received while attending the Join-Up experience. Every student that was there was chosen for different struggles that each are facing currently. One thing that is consistent with every student who attended the program is that their main issues stem from the lack of trust or fear of rejection.
The staff for the program was so professional and loving that every student left each day so excited to come back. After leaving Flag is Up Farms each session, the ride back to the Rec Center got louder and louder because of the great experiences they were having. You can check with Jerry on that one as he witnessed it on the bus after the last session.
This was an amazing experience and we as a Recreation Department and City of Buellton are so blessed to have this treasure in our backyard. One of the moms who picked up their child the last evening said, “ This is the best week we have had as a family since I can remember, and I feel like there is a glimmer of hope for my son again.”
Thank you again for all that you do. Keep up the good work and I hope we will be able to join you again in the future.
Sincerely,
Paul Smith
Buellton Youth Recreation Coordinator
|
|
FIND A MONTY ROBERTS CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
