An internationally-famed horse trainer who inspired a Hollywood film is set to take centre stage at a Penkridge college.
Horse whisperer Monty Roberts will appear at Rodbaston College on Saturday to wow the crowds with his skills in communicating with troubled equines.
The Californian, who was the inspiration for the novel and subsequent film The Horse Whisperer, is regarded by many as one of the world’s greatest horse trainers. He uses non-violent training techniques which have revolutionised the horse world.
Mr Roberts said: “For centuries humans have said to horses ‘you do what I tell you or I’ll hurt you’. I’m saying that no one has the right to say ‘you must’ to an animal or another human.”
As the son of a horseman, Monty says he found he had a gift for understanding horses at an early age.
Seeing the pain and suffering many were subjected to, in efforts to train and ‘break’ them, he vowed to find a better way.
It was whilst tracking wild mustangs in Nevada, as a boy, that he observed communication between the horses in their body language; a silent language he calls ‘Equus’.
Audiences will be treated to a demonstration of this language as Monty trains owners and horses to face their fears and learn to trust each other.
He will also be getting back into the saddle to show how his methods can be transferred to ridden work.
He said: “My greatest accomplishment was learning to be gentle.
“Without that, I would have accomplished nothing.”
Tickets for the demonstration, which cost £20 in advance or £25 on the door, can be purchased from the Intelligent Horsemanship Association on 01488 71300 or from www.intelligent horsemanship.co.uk
2 Comments
Author Nicholas Evans denies, on his website FAQ, that Monty Roberts had anything to do with ‘The Horse Whisperer.’ Evans DOES credit Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, and Buck Brannaman. Brannaman was the trainer whom Robert Redform consulted for the film version of the book, and Brannaman also doubled for Redford in some of the horse training scenes.
I also would point out that Monty did not invent the round penning technique that he makes so much of. It was called ‘hooking on’ and was used by other horsemen long before Monty.
Monty didn’t invent kind horse training, either. Read Alois Podhajsky’s book: “Complete Training of the Horse and Rider” for Podhajsky’s overview of the history of horse training methods since the time of Xenophon. Note: Podhajsky DID have a film made about HIMSELF, Disney’s “Miracle Of The White Stallions.”
Read also Tom Dorrance’s “True Unity”, book about horse training. Dorrance preceded Monty and is now deceased.
So happy to read that someone else is concerned with this myth that Monty Roberts is perpetuating. Everything said in the post above it true and easily verifiable. For some reason word has not reached the UK.
It shows the true character of Mr. Roberts that he allows this myth to continue. Please look him up on Wikipedia, there you will be directed to a website by his family and you will be able to hear their side of the story.