On the death of Monty Roberts: He was the “horse whisperer”

He was the “Horse Whisperer”, the model for the film of the same name with Robert Redford, he taught the Queen’s young racehorses to trust people, he freed one of the most famous German gallopers of his time, the Fährhof chestnut stallion Lomitas, from his fears of the starting machine. He wrote several books that taught riders and horse owners around the world a new, non-violent approach to their horses. At the age of 91, the American Monty Roberts has died on his farm in California.

He grew up with horses and as a boy experienced how his father’s western horses were “broken in” using rude, often cruel methods in order to make them submissive to the rider. This disgusted him and he developed his own method, which made him famous worldwide.

In a “round pen,” a fenced-in circle, he waited until the horses came to him on their own, without force, without stress. Only then did the training begin. In this way, previously frightened and unruly four-legged friends learned to accept the saddle and a rider in less than an hour. Word of Roberts’ method spread and the Queen’s racehorse managers also became aware of him. He was invited to Windsor Castle and was allowed to prepare the royal youngsters for their careers in the racing stable, non-violently and seeking a dialogue with the horse. Monty Roberts was a keen observer of horses and people. In one of his books, he describes how he noticed when the Queen had entered the stable before he saw or heard her: the horses changed their behavior, almost standing at attention.

He became known in Germany through his work with the star stallion Lomitas

In Germany, Roberts became known for Lomitas, the star stallion of the Fährhof Stud, who suddenly refused to go into the narrow starting box and could not be persuaded to do so even by four strong men. His racing career seemed to be over until stud owner Walther J. Jacobs called in Monty Roberts to help him. After weeks of practice, the fox followed him like a puppy, even into the starting box. Lomitas was able to win again and became one of the most influential thoroughbred stallions in Germany.

But Roberts was also able to help recreational riders. In numerous demonstrations he traveled through Germany, including to the Equitana horse fair, and demonstrated how every horse can be brought to the side of humans in a short time, without violence, just by humans gaining the horse’s trust. When Monty Roberts stood in the middle of his “round pen,” every horse knew: “He means well for you, but it’s best if you do what he says.” It happened that horse owners had to ride to his demonstrations because the horse could not be loaded. It took Roberts less than ten minutes until the horse trotted onto the trailer behind him and the owner was able to drive home again using the motor.  The boss without a doubt, with an innate authority, who did not want submission but cooperation.

The method caught on worldwide. On his flag-is-up farm in California, Roberts trained instructors according to his system, imitators sprouted up everywhere, and hardly anyone could hold a candle to him. His way of dealing with horses will outlive him. She showed competition riders and recreational athletes how it can be possible to gain the horse’s trust, and that is ultimately the basis for every type of equestrian sport.