Wednesday March 3, 2021
Greetings!
Question 

Do you think you were born with a special ability to relate to horses, or do you think it’s something you developed over time?

Answer

Well, I guess my answer would be, “I don’t know”. Explore for a moment the possibility that you would visit a class of children learning to swim.  Let’s say they were taking their third lesson. Imagine that you spoke with a child that seemed to be swimming very well. Suppose that you asked this youngster, “Why is it you’re swimming so well and the others don’t seem to have caught on?”  I suggest that this child would say, “I don’t know, it seems easy to me.”

One should remember that I began showing horses in competition at four years of age. I suppose it’s possible to surmise that it is easier for me to think in the world of horses than the world of people.  One thing for certain is that no one chronicled these concepts as I have outlined them. It is true that Xenophon wrote about working with horses in a slightly similar fashion. His writings date to about 360 B.C. and probably more closely approximate my work than anything written since.

I find it amazing that in 1996, when I launched my first book, most horsemen took the position that I was dreaming when I suggested that there was a discernible language that I dubbed the language of Equus. About four years later, traditional horsemen began to write that I wasn’t the first one to discover it saying they knew of people that talked about the language long before my time. In 2005 I heard, “Well, of course there’s a language. We’ve known it all along.” 

At the current time, surveys have suggested that about 40% of all horses will receive some form of my concepts during the early training process. It is my hope that this trend will continue. It seems that this is an often traveled past for concepts considered new and original. This doesn’t bother me so long as the horses ultimately benefit from the discoveries I’ve made.

Sincerely,
SAVE THE DATE! June 18 to 20, 2021: The Movement 2021 Transitions, Transformations, and Trailblazers
A day in 2021: One-on-one distance coaching session with Monty!
March 5 to 7, 2021: Horse Sense & Healing
March 12 to 14, 2021: Intro Course Module 1 First Steps to Monty’s Method
March 15 to 26, 2021: Introductory Course of Horsemanship
Monty's Textbook, plus a gift

"Perfect addition to my equine library! Packed full of information. Great resources."

~ Shannon J., Verified Buyer
In 1995, on a business trip to Great Britain, Dennis Thompson and his wife, Cindy, noticed a little black and white stallion as they drove through the English countryside. Listen in to how they eventually established the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society in America. And Laurie Jackson, who received the coveted George Award for her dedication to the adoption center she directs in Ohio, traveled to Flag Is Up Farms to learn from the Monty Roberts International Learning Center.

 
Help us re-train horses to find their forever homes. Our Monty Roberts Mustang & Transition Horse program works with The Right Horse Initiative to help these horses become more adoptable. We appreciate all levels of support! Go to: https://join-up.org/donate/

 
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 
  

How did you discover your skills?