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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.
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“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
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My Join-Up® Experience

nipping

By:

mariahsinclair

Date:

2010-Oct-12 at 05:20AM

How do I attend to the issue of my horse trying to nip me while I am fastening his girth in a Monty Roberts' way? I start with the girth very loose and do not feed him from my hand yet he will reach around and try to nip me while fastening the girth. Thanks

Rudi - Pratteln, Switzerland 2010-Oct-12 at 08:38PM

I have seen a similar reaction in a young horse. I think it is a form of displacement. The horse knows that he has to tolerate the saddle he does not like, instead nips. The behaviour is much more difficult to handle than another type of reaction. Maybe you should go back a step and put only a saddle pad first. In the horse I have working with the problem disappeared gradually, mixing the training with other elements to distract the horse.

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2010-Oct-14 at 08:37PM

I recently had a horse that did exactly this. I was girthing up the horse gently but he clearly had memories of inconsiderate tacking up (it looked as if he'd also been 'toed' while getting on etc etc.). One of the techniques I used was one I picked up from watching one of Montys riding lessons using distraction. I did the following:

I began fastening the girth with my left hand and my body slightly turned towards his head (so I can see what his head and teeth are about to do!) and my right hand over his back across the saddle. As the girth begins to tighten, if his head starts to come round I lightly tap the saddle on the other side with my right hand. He then turns his head to look where the sound is coming from! As soon as his head returned to the front I praised him so that he understood the correct position for him to be in. The issue was resolved with this horse in 30 minutes.

It is hard to describe the method in detail as 'feel and timing' are absolutely crucial, but I hope it helps. Good luck!

lucy.simpson instructor 2010-Oct-14 at 09:35PM

i totally agree with viccihh and rudi, you can totally use the horses distractability to your advantage in this situation. I over the years have came accross another tool over the years to prevent a horse from nipping in any situation, either girthing or to re-educate the hand feeder, which is to carry a jif lemon (thats what they are caled in britain, basically it is a false lemon filled with lemon juice) when ever the horse attempts to bite or nip then you squirt lemon juice in his mouth. the horse will find this positive punishment a very unpleasant experience and should eventually stop this behavior.
i hope this helps! good luck! x

mariahsinclair 2010-Oct-17 at 02:52AM

Gratitude to all of you! I feel some new ideas emerging.
Mariah