CREATING TRUST-BASED PARTNERSHIPS
MONTY ROBERTS
“For centuries, humans have said to horses, ‘You do what I tell you or I’ll hurt you.’ Humans still say that to each other – still threaten, force and intimidate. I’m convinced that my discoveries with horses have value in the workplace, in the educational and penal systems, and in the raising of children. At heart, I’m saying that no one of us was born with the right to say ‘you must’ or I’ll hurt you, to any animal or to another human.”
WHAT THE HORSES SAID
STORIES AND INSPIRATION FROM THE MAN WHO LISTENS TO HORSES
More than two decades after his international bestseller The Man Who Listens to Horses, Monty Roberts returns with new insights and powerful stories about the invaluable and timeless lessons he’s learned from the most fascinating and beautiful creatures on Earth. What the Horses Said sheds light on the extraordinary ways horses have helped Roberts navigate life’s many complexities and unexpected challenges.
Reflecting on more than 30 years of encounters, Roberts shares the unforgettable moments that have shaped his journey, including his friendshipwith Queen Elizabeth II, teaching nonviolent principles to the gauchos of Argentina, training unruly horses in Germany and the Middle East, and studying the wild deer that have learned to see him as part of their herd. Along the way, he imparts the deep understanding he’s gained about the advantages of being compassionate and kind, crucial knowledge about sustainable practices in animal training, and eye-opening truths about mental health and post-traumatic stress.
Monty Roberts Learning Center
Monty Roberts International Learning Center (MRILC), located at the California Horse Center in the Santa Ynez Valley, California, is dedicated to promoting gentle, more effective alternatives to violence and force through educational courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels of horsemanship.
The MRILC is unique from other training facilities because the primary focus of our training curriculum is on equine psychology and behavior rather than riding skills. Students develop a solid understanding of what motivates and influences equine behavior in order to increase their effectiveness in the application of their choice, virtually any discipline of riding, veterinary assisting, farriery, racehorse training and more.
Monty Roberts Online University
The Monty Roberts Online University has over 900 quick and easy training and instructional videos, lesson notes, and supportive learning tools.
Learn at your own pace with Monty Roberts. Choose the areas of horsemanship you are interested in learning or go exploring for new subjects as well. See for yourself why Horse & Hound magazine named Monty one of the Top 50 greatest horsemen of all time. Monty is recognized by our international equestrian community for his gentle and effective horse training. In addition to lessons by Monty, the Online University features lessons by a host of special guests – pioneers and/or experts in their field, and hosts an ‘Ask Monty’ Q&A forum (accessible without a subscription) where Monty posts a weekly Q&A.
The Educational Legacy Tour with Debbie Roberts Loucks
The Educational Legacy Tour at the Monty Roberts California Horse Center invites guests to explore 75 acres of living history in Solvang, California. Guided by Debbie Roberts Loucks, guests are personally led through the ranch’s rich history, landmark training spaces, and working ranch environment. As a lifelong horsewoman and integral part of the Roberts family legacy, Debbie brings a unique depth of insight to the philosophy of Join-Up® and the stories of notable horses, students, and visitors. This immersive experience offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a place where humane horsemanship is not only taught, but lived every day.
Outreach Programs
Monty Roberts’ outreach programs currently include:
Horse Sense & Healing
Horse Sense & Healing program is designed for veterans (and first responders) suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – or as we like to call it, PTSI – post traumatic stress injury.
Through Join-Up® and other equine-assisted activities, the Horse Sense & Healing program teaches participants to learn to regulate their emotions and return to their pre-war behavioral selves.
Since it’s inception in 2010, Horse Sense and Healing has helped over 550 veterans and first responders.
Lead-Up California
Lead-Up® International, launched in 2017, is an original and compelling Leadership Program, developed by a team in Guatemala led by Katie Pokorny, which aims to reach vulnerable youth and create peaceful leaders through workshops with horses.
The Lead-Up program is based around workshops with horses in which participants are introduced to humane ways of handling and interacting with horses, using Monty’s principles. Participants discover non-violence and non-aggression for themselves through interactions with horses and principally through the experience of Join-Up.
“You wouldn’t see me as committed and joyful now if I thought it was going to end with me. The world is ready to say, ‘no more violence’.”
~ Monty Roberts, 2019
MONTY ROBERTS CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS
All Monty Roberts Instructors are certified to teach the Monty Roberts horsemanship courses, including the Introductory Course of Horsemanship and its exam. The Advanced Certification Course can only be completed at The Monty Roberts International Learning Center in the Santa Ynez Valley, California. Click the flags below to view our world map and locate an instructor near you.
