Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: Steve McIlree [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am afraid that I must count myself in the camp of the Monty Roberts detractors. I purchased his book when it first was published in the US and started to read it eagerly. The more I read of Monty Roberts, the sole discoverer and practitioner of his training methods, the more disgusted I became. I guess if I had waited for a NY Times bestseller to pick up my first book on horse-training I might have been more ready to buy his line. But I have read writings of too many other horsepersons from Xenophon to Ray Hunt, Pat Parelli, Linda Tellington-Jones, and others to think that Monty Roberts' discoveries are unique to him. But time and again, in both print and interviews, he blatantly states that no one else has ever approached horse training the same as he. Now, I don't deny that Monty is a fine horseman, but his need to claim that he is the one and only is too much for me to stomach. And yes, I *do* think that his attitude and claims are damaging. There are far too many people involved with horses today who think that there is nothing to learn about horse/human relationships, and who refuse to pick up a magazine let alone a book. If these people read Monty's book because is was a bestseller, and believe his claim that it is the last word on horse training they will surely be losers. If people think they learned about horse behavior and training from this book that was primarily a autobiography, they should check out some other books that are specifically on horse behavior and training. Finally, if it is true as his aunt claims, that Monty's method of join-up was previously published in a 1957 book by Marvin E. Roberts, I think that the man is beneath contempt. Marvin was his father, the abusive horse trainer who Monty claims beat him for proposing non-abusive training methods. -- Steve McIlree Cynthia Madden -- Pferd, Keyah, Skipper, Tank -- Omaha, Nebraska, USA Then we began to ride. My soul smoothed itself out, a long-cramped scroll freshening and fluttering in the wind. --Robert Browning(1812-1889)
Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: Sessoms [EMAIL PROTECTED] I reckon he's a good horseman, but he needs to use some of that respect, understanding and kindness on his own family. I was appalled at what he said about his father who, I understand, is no longer around to defend himself. You just don't talk about your father like that. I don't care if what he said is true or not. Where is the honor. Meredith Sessoms Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, USA mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ~ Dorina ~ NFR Aagot ~
Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: Mary Thurman [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---Bushnell's [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ruthie, I have also read Monte's book. Have not read the magazine article defaming him, but I imagine it is like most other things. There is more that one way to do a thing. If you are successful doing a thing (moreso than others, say) then you will make enemies and they will try to detract from your success. I have used some of his ideas re: horse body language and found it works. If it works for me I use it, if not I don't. Not all methods work for all people or for all horses. This I learned from Wil Howe, another horse trainer - not a whisperer, a real trainer. He says to take what works for you from each person's method you study and make your own method. Works for me. Cheers, Mary == Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] _ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 2/13/99 15:41:14 Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I read Monty's book The Man Who Listens to Horses and thought it was a pretty good book - an interesting biography. I also read the article in Horse Rider and was rather surprised at how it shot down just about every aspect of his bio. I dunno about this article. I was brought up in the Hollywood type environment and know that whenever somebody makes it, there are a hundred vultures with no talent ready to tear down those who do have talent (one of the reasons that National Enquirer exists, I would imagine). I've heard other negative things about Monty, and really can't say they are right or wrong. But a long time ago I worked for him. He was a good horseman, and was very kind to me. In the short time I worked for him (was helping get horses ready for his St. Patrick's Day Sale at Hollywood Park) he taught me a lot of stuff that I still use to this day. And told me some of the stories that are now in his book. BUT some of those stories have taken a slightly different twist than when he told them to me those many years ago. I would assume that he is just a great storyteller. There are threads of truth to the stories and points he's trying to make, but changing a little twist here or there makes the reader/listener want more. Nothing wrong with that in my book. But then again, I may be unduly influenced because my ex is an independent filmmaker, and I saw the poetic license that is sometimes needed to make a mundane story saleable. Pamela
Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] You are quite right Steve, when it can be done that way. I was referring to the filmed story of his attempt to break a wild horse out on the prairie. It was tedious to me and dangerous work and the horse really was not tamed as I recall. Jean -Original Message- From: Steven A White [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Saturday, February 13, 1999 4:05 PM Subject: Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers? This message is from: Steven A White [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean, I think the point was why use cruelty when you can just as easily get good results with kindness. Many horses have been injured and killed when they were force broken. I have seen in person Monty Roberts start a green horse that wasn't even halter broke and have a person riding him around a ring within 25 minutes. I personally knew the man who owned the horse, so I know that it wasn't a hoax. 25 minutes doesn't seem like a lot of trouble to me. -Steve White Waterloo, NE On Sat, 13 Feb 1999 13:06:35 -0800 Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well I for one thought his way of handling wild horses was an attempt to prove himself right and his father wrong. nothing wrong with that. The movie showing him working with a wild horse over a period of days made me wonder if the old cowboys did not save themselves a lot of trouble by their methods of breaking. Having ridden many cow ponies who were broken in less than gentle means I found them reliable and not afraid of humans. There is more than one way to do all things. Jean Gayle Wash. state -Original Message- From: Bushnell's [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Saturday, February 13, 1999 11:40 AM Subject: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers? This message is from: Bushnell's [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just read a feature piece in the February issue of Horse and Rider entitled Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers? in which Monty Robert's best seller, The Man Who Listens to Horses is maligned. A cowboy hero bites the dust, as many of his accounts are discredited. We were both originally favorably impressed with the book (although felt it had a lame conclusion) but it must be theorhetically correct insofar as horse taming is concerned. What do you think? Ruthie Bushnell
Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: Kate MacGillivray [EMAIL PROTECTED] I read Monty's book The Man Who Listens to Horses and thought it was a pretty good book - an interesting biography. I also read the article in Horse Rider and was rather surprised at how it shot down just about every aspect of his bio. Regardless of whether or not Monty fabricated and embellished much of his life, I was still blown away at the way he handled and joined up with the horses we saw at a demonstration in Ottawa. I don't think there is any dispute over his horsemanship. Kate
Re: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well I for one thought his way of handling wild horses was an attempt to prove himself right and his father wrong. nothing wrong with that. The movie showing him working with a wild horse over a period of days made me wonder if the old cowboys did not save themselves a lot of trouble by their methods of breaking. Having ridden many cow ponies who were broken in less than gentle means I found them reliable and not afraid of humans. There is more than one way to do all things. Jean Gayle Wash. state -Original Message- From: Bushnell's [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Saturday, February 13, 1999 11:40 AM Subject: Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers? This message is from: Bushnell's [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just read a feature piece in the February issue of Horse and Rider entitled Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers? in which Monty Robert's best seller, The Man Who Listens to Horses is maligned. A cowboy hero bites the dust, as many of his accounts are discredited. We were both originally favorably impressed with the book (although felt it had a lame conclusion) but it must be theorhetically correct insofar as horse taming is concerned. What do you think? Ruthie Bushnell
Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers?
This message is from: Bushnell's [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just read a feature piece in the February issue of Horse and Rider entitled Horse Whispers-or Horsefeathers? in which Monty Robert's best seller, The Man Who Listens to Horses is maligned. A cowboy hero bites the dust, as many of his accounts are discredited. We were both originally favorably impressed with the book (although felt it had a lame conclusion) but it must be theorhetically correct insofar as horse taming is concerned. What do you think? Ruthie Bushnell
