“The Dog Whisperer” is a popular television show in which a man uses his ability to communicate with dogs to help and train them. Along comes the book “The Man Who Listens to Horses” which tells a similar story about a man who is able to communicate with horses. Monty Roberts is the author, and this is truly a fascinating book that will take the reader on a journey into the internal workings of a horse’s mind. In this article we will not only review this book, but offer some glimpses into some of the highlights as well.

Monty Roberts has a love of horses, and he sure has a story to tell. He grew up with an abusive father, and this abuse not only extended to him, but to horses as well. This abuse formed a strong impression on Monty when he was young, and as he grew older he started to formulate an opinion that there must be a better way to communicate with the horses that he loves so much.

This “better way” was to become a horse breaking and training technique which he calls “join-up”. For starters, you need a round pen, and an unbroken horse. The handler stands in the middle of the pen, and the horse is encouraged to run away from him/her, circling the pen in attempts to get away. As the horse runs away, the handler forms steady eye contact, and assumes a very authoritative and imposing stance. As time goes by, the handler will look for three specific signs that the horse wishes to communicate with the handler. These signs are:

The horse will gradually turn the ear that is closest to the handler towards him/her.

The horse will begin a process of chewing and licking.

As the horse runs around the pen he will move his head closer to the ground.

Once the handler has determined the horse wishes to communicate, he will turn his back on the horse and start to move away. At this point the horse will usually move closer to the handler, permitting the handler to touch him/her. The next step in the process is to saddle, bridle, mount, and ride…

The book offers more information than the “join-up” technique mind you. It takes us on a journey as we learn of Roberts’ learning stages, and the good and the bad that have brought him to where he is today. Some of the highlights are:

-The author’s successful childhood riding career

-The author’s encounters with his father

-The Thoroughbred racehorse facility that the author developed

-Meeting Queen Elizabeth II of England

-Using the join-up technique with wild deer

-His experience with mustang horses

-Three of his favorite horses: Brownie, Johnny Tivio, and Dually

If you love horses, and would love to learn of a very humane way to train and communicate with them, then this book is for you. Check it out, read it over, and let the information wrap around your mind.

If you have read this far you obviously love horses. We do as well. We invite you to visit our web site on Horse Jewelry. You might find the perfect gift for that fellow Horse Lover.

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