Wednesday February 6, 2019
Greetings!
Question 

Hello, my name is Jack. I’m nine 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 do it!
Please help us! 
Thank you, 
Jack Ford

Answer 

Dear Jack,

It might be a lot better to have an adult help you in the early going. Injuries to young horse people generally result in them moving away from horses. I don’t want you to be injured. I would suggest that an adult who has handled horses' legs before at least gives you a start on the process of solving the problem. If you go on my Online University you will find lessons on handling legs. I recommend an artificial arm be used before risking your own arm. There are directions on how an artificial arm is made. There is also a chapter in my textbook, From My Hands to Yours , on handling equine legs. It describes how I use the artificial arm.

Please remember that safety is a very important issue. 
Correction to my answer to Melvyn Carter

Dear Melvyn,

Thank you for sending me the story of your journey to take violence out of your enjoyment of riding horses. Unfortunately I read this too quickly and with an assumption in mind that you were going to ask how to justify the occasional use of the crop or whip. I read this part and jumped to conclusions which is something I try never to do: 
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.
Your honesty is refreshing and I am glad you shared your inner dialog about respect for the trainers versus respect for horses. I hope you will forgive my haste and write me any time you need assistance finding alternatives to harsh training. 

Thank you,
MONTY'S EQUUS ONLINE UNIVERSITY
THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
UPCOMING EVENTS   
USA
February 15 to 17, 2019: Horse Sense and Healing , Flag Is Up Farms, Solvang, California
USA
NORWAY
February 21 to 24, 2019: Monty Roberts at the Norwegian Horse Festival
GERMANY
March 14, 2019: Monty Roberts Demonstration at Equitana in Essen, Germany
USA
April 29 to 31, 2019: The Movement at Flag Is Up Farms, Solvang,California (coming soon)
THE MONTY ROBERTS INTERNATIONAL LEARNING CENTER
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
DVD: THE MOVEMENT SYMPOSIUM  
 7 hours of Demonstrations, Discoveries & Pathway
Save the date! Come and discover what horses have to teach us about lowering stress and building trust at The Movement 2019 to be held at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang, California, April 29 and 30, 2019. Take a glance at last year’s trailer:  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/152412

People can now request Monty’s help with their horses, for which Monty is happy to oblige, carrying on his life’s goal to create better lives for horses and people too. Better yet, Monty’s team put together the package of The Movement DVD + Online Video on Demand + 1 Hour of Coaching from Monty for $499
Individually, The Movement Online Video is available on Demand for $90  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/152412
Runtime: 429 Minutes
JOIN MONTY'S NIGHT OF INSPIRATION

“My father, sister and I were thoroughly entertained by the Night of Inspiration event at The Flag is Up Farms, and especially enjoyed the gracious Monty Roberts family.”
- Karen C

“We had a truly magical, special, special experience. I had no idea it was going to be that up close and personal with Monty and Pat, what a treat. They are both so warm and welcoming!”
- Ann M


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

Do you think it is possible and realistic to have high level performance sport, or racing, with no whip use at the competition? What about no whip use at all, even at home?

The Horse/Human Bond is the topic for this episode. Certified Instructor and Radio Talk Show host Jamie Jennings and Monty Roberts recall their three days of working with Diego, the uncatchable Mustang, subject of the Equus International Film Festival's featured films award  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/152412   

And Marty Irby began riding at age three and his love of horses grew into advocacy where he now serves as the chief lobbyist and Executive Director of Animal Wellness Action.