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Question: "Why does my horse shake her head up and down while we are out riding?"

Listen to Monty's Answer:

Read Monty's Answer: While I am not one who quickly recommends equipment to solve problems with horses, I suggest that the use of a black iron bit with copper inlaid in the mouthpiece is often helpful with a horse who habitually tosses her head. Once you have secured the proper mouthpiece, I then recommend a process of bitting up or mouthing (From My Hands To Yours, pages 33–35). I fully describe a process of bitting up that I believe will help the equestrian where head-tossing is concerned. It is critical for every rider to understand that the human hands are usually the culprit in creating a horse that tosses his head. As equestrians, we should always look inward before blaming the horse.

-Monty

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Question: “Why is it important to start a horse in 30 minutes?”

Answer: Since the publication of my books, our office receives approximately 100 questions a week from horse people worldwide. I am often asked “Why is it important to start a horse in 30 minutes?” I attempt to address this question in every demonstration that I do, but apparently I fail to make myself clear enough to the audience. In this column I will attempt to put this question to rest once and for all.

It is not important to start a horse in 30 minutes. I start a horse in 30 minutes in my demonstrations because I believe that it will allow the audience to see the full process without having to wait hours and hours to complete it. I often say that if the process is effective enough to complete in 30 minutes, then it is a good demonstration for public audiences. I tell the people that if they choose to take a week to do what I do in 30 minutes, that’s fine. I go on to say that I much prefer to start the horse after a few days of preliminary preparation.

In the course of starting horses at home, I go through the mouthing and long lining process that I describe in my From My Hands To Yours book for a week or so before we actually put a rider on. It is an easier transition for the horse and safer for the people as well.

When I do a demonstration, the only way I could duplicate this process is to ask the owners to execute these procedures at home before bringing their horse. As you might imagine, this would be impossible. I wouldn’t know if they did it at all, let alone whether it was done properly. Furthermore, I have no contact with the owners before the demonstration, and I believe that’s the way it should be done. I certainly could not send people around to do these procedures, as this would create an immense amount of criticism that the horse was already trained.

As it is now, people will say it looks too easy. Some critics will state that the horse was already trained, even when we work hard to maintain a separation between my organization and the owners. If I somehow could complete these early procedures before each of the demonstrations, most of the people would hold the opinion that the horse had been ridden before. It is my hope that horsemen will read From My Hands To Yours and complete mouthing and long lining before they start their horse. If they learn and use Join-Up® properly, they too will come to know how easy it can be.

There are some individuals who think that it is a trick and so they investigate this work in a negative way. Some will even say that I use medications to help in the starting process. This is absolutely untrue and every owner knows that this doesn’t happen. Anyone who understands horses will quickly realize that no medication is used. I am strongly opposed to the use of medications in attempting to train horses in any field. I do not believe that it is effective and, if I did this without revealing it, it would be totally dishonest.

It is my hope that the information here more clearly defines the time required to start horses and that people everywhere will be able to learn more about the techniques of working with horses in the absence of violence and force. I believe they will have more fun with their horses if they accomplish this, and the horses will be happier and more successful.

- Monty

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Question: "I am afraid of catching my horse in the field. What should I do?"

Listen to Monty's Answer:

Read Monty's Answer: If you are afraid to go catch a horse in the field, then do not do it. A horse can sense fear and has the potential to get you into a lot of trouble. Learn how to move around a horse and get an older, trained horse to work with before you take any chances out in the field. Once you can move around a horse well and you know where he is going, you’ll be more comfortable going and catching your horse. Learn the Language of Equus (page 11 in From My Hands To Yours), and study Catching Horses (page 177 in From My Hands To Yours).

- Monty

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Question: "What is the most important thing I should know about dealing with a two-month-old foal?"

Listen to Monty's Answer:

Read Monty's Answer: The most important knowledge that I can impart to you is to be safe and work with your foal without violence and force. At two months of age, probably the most important factor is leading the foal alongside his mother. I suggest the use of the Foal Handler (page 134 in From My Hands to Yours: Lessons from a Lifetime of Training Championship Horses). I further suggest that it is important to groom and pick up feet, encouraging your foal to stand and to be comfortable with you during these procedures.

- Monty

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