Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: Chains and Reins

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Watch Monty's horse training videos to learn how he demonstrates communication through horse training techniques that the amateur and professional alike consider to be the trainable skills of a horse whisperer yet Monty calls it horse gentling.
Monty's horse training techniques are non violent with intelligent natural horsemanship. In addition to video instructions, Monty has written many books related to natural horsemanship. Monty trains safe horses for nervous riders called Willing Partners. Monty trains world class race horses for sale.
“I am very proud to be a part of Her Majesty’s horse training and her passion for their welfare. I believe she is the leading monarch for the advocacy of horses in the world. She is a thought leader in this field. Her Majesty's horses are trained using the Dually Halter, making a difference in the training of sensitive animals by giving the horse the choice to partner in the training.” ~ Monty
“I communicate with a horse in what I call the Language of Equus; a silent language of gestures that is discernible, predictable and effective. Now you can learn from my videos, audio and notes to help you understand the horse as I do. This language is really quite simple, but simplicity becomes its greatest strength.” ~ Monty
Monty Roberts is a renowned horse trainer known as the man who listens to horses and the original horse whisperer. Monty's horse training instructions are accepted worldwide.
Monty has helped thousands of people globally through his Monty Roberts Online Videos to learn how to Join-Up with horses, training young horses, spooky horses, horses that bite. His mustang , Shy Boy , is his most famous horse.
Join-Up methods help horse and trainer to establish a bond of communication and trust. “You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.” ~ Monty
Monty says, “We hear that ‘actions speak louder than words,’ but generally we do not live by it too successfully.” Now Monty has taught thousands of people worldwide how to build trust in animals through our actions and body language.
Monty’s principles really amount to common sense and immense patience. He believes that children and horses have the same behavioral patterns. They are both naturally “flight” animals. "If you frighten them and resort to confrontation, you’ll lose their trust." ~ Monty
"Simple one-on-one reassurances and praise reap long term dividends that can all be undone with the quick slamming of a book on a desk or shouting back." ~ Monty Roberts
"No one of us was born with the right to say 'You must or I'll hurt you' to any other living thing, animal or human". ~ Monty Roberts
"My life's goal is to leave the world a better place than I found it, for horses and for people too". ~ Monty Roberts

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University Suggestion Box

Chains and Reins

By:

Horsescholar

Date:

2010-Mar-04 at 12:59PM

I have sent this as a question to Monty. I'd like to see if others are also interested and then maybe Monty could make lesson of it.

Dear Monty,

I am enjoying your Online University immensely. As a teacher at a University who develops instructional material and does research into new frontiers of knowledge, including horsemanship, I can say that your lessons are great in that they take complex concepts, break them down into bite-sized chunks and serve them as not only chewable, but delicious. They are also practical proof of your philosophy right before our eyes. Congratulations! I am learning things that I never knew after forty years of riding!

I have also been closely scrutinizing your tools and how you use them. Your adaptation of the Vaquero style of riding is interesting.

Do you have a spade bit in Chrome's mouth?

Some people think that they are medieval instruments of torture. I have an antique one that alarms some horse lovers when they see it in my home.

I know you believe that “It’s not what you use, it’s how you use what you use.” It is plain to see that Chrome is not being tortured but is a willing partner who is enjoying pleasing you. What role do the chains between your bit and reins play as communication devices and how do you use them?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

All the best,

Malcolm

horselover 2010-Mar-04 at 07:18PM

I am in full agreement with you Malcolm and would love to hear more as a lesson on the subject.

Debbie Roberts Loucks, USA 2010-Mar-07 at 11:50PM

Monty is home this week and looking for feedback on lessons. Please keep adding them here or send any/all to askmonty@montyroberts.com Thank you!!

Sasafras 2010-Apr-14 at 10:07PM

The chains make for a faster release of pressure than leather,the weight makes the bit drop away quick, plus when horse drinks/grazes dewey grass,they don't get rotten riens.Maybe ,Malcolm ,you also like to see the "Mona Lisa", one of Don Dodge's famous horse's spade bits, I think it is a splendid piece of working equipment and like you say it's the hands that count..Ride with just the weight of the leather and all that ..I am very intrigued in the making of bits as I am a silversmith and jeweler.
I like to hear what Monty thinks of the TAP as performed by Paul Williams, alias Endospink, who is defo worth a quality watch...youtube Hybrid horsemanship.Really enjoying the uni many thanks .Rachel