Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: Rushing Fences

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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

Rushing Fences

By:

Maisy

Date:

2011-Sep-16 at 09:49PM

I would love for Monty todo a lesson on rushing fences as I have a huge problem with one of my horses, I have tried the usual methods but after 2 years I have achieved very little, what do you think?
Maisy

star 2011-Sep-17 at 02:37PM

Hi Maisy,
What might help is ground work.
I just cannot stress this enough.
With your horse on a lead at the sweet spot walk toward the gate, before you enter do a circle with it in both directions.
Then when you are at the gait ask the horse to stop.
Once you are half-way through the gate ask it to stop again, then back up, and do the stopping again.
Repeat this as many times as it takes to get the horse to automatically stop, expect a turn in both directions and stop at the gate, then half-way through.
Doing this at EVERY gate while being lead will teach the horse to stop and wait for permission to proceed.
It works for my horse and I'm sure it will work for yours.
It may seem like you have to go back to basics but with some horses it take reminders like this.
If you get in the habit of doing this each time you take a horse to any pasture it will imprint in their minds and they will have good manners for you.
The very best to you,
Ronda

Dennis 2011-Sep-19 at 04:26AM

Maisy
What exactly do you mean rushes fences? Also what have you tried? Ronda's suggestions for ground work at the gate is excellent. You must always strive to have your horse follow you, not run over you. Being consistant with your corrections and making sure the horse understands why it is being corrected. Dually Halter or a rope halter will aid in the communications.

Cheers

ruthy - Gold Coast, Australia 2011-Sep-21 at 03:23AM

As a showjumper I assume Maisy is refering to jumps, not gateways. However, I think the same principles apply as Ronda has suggested. Go back to basics, a single pole on the ground and then work over this in walk and trot before going back to canter work. Lots of trot pole work, and then trot poles in front of the jump work really well too. Hope that helps!