Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: Join- Up didn't quite work out.

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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
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My Join-Up® Experience

Join- Up didn't quite work out.

By:

Candi

Date:

2011-Aug-09 at 08:56AM

Hello, I tried Join- Up for the first time with my Thoroughbred but she just wouldn't quite budge. she was licking and chewing, her ear was locked onto me from the start, her circle became smaller. She lowered her head a teeny bit she slowed down so i tried to start the Join- Up but she just went faster and went back out onto the large circle. She tried coming in twice but i made her go around again. But she wouldn't Join- Up. She stopped when i turned on a 45 degree angle but she didn't come in. What am i doing wrong? Am i doing anything wrong?

Gen (Queensland, Australia) 2011-Aug-09 at 09:14AM

Hi Candi
.
It sounds like you are well on the right track.
.
The one thing you didn't mention in your post, was after turning on the 45 degree angle, did you then turn and walk with your eyes down, in an arc and cross the horse's body line to draw her in? Also did you make her go the required flight distance?
.
Food for thought.
.
Don't worry though, it really sounds like you are on the right track :-) Perhaps just a bit more practice.
Kind regards,
.
Gen

Debbie Roberts Loucks, USA 2011-Aug-09 at 03:55PM

Thanks Gen for the encouragement.
@Candi - I like Gen's suggestion to keep the energy moving. Have you tried it out on any other horses? You are learning another language; we speak in broken Equus at first :). Sounds like your TB trusts you so let her be your teacher and keep trying. She will tell you when you get it right.

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia 2011-Aug-09 at 11:20PM

medicinalarts comment and questions seems relevant here. I have come to the conclusion that some horses are just too joined up already or are just too quiet for and effective join up session to work. This is the conclusion I have finally reached with my shetland!

Candi 2011-Aug-11 at 02:44AM

Thanks to everyone.. Joining- Up is a huge thing for my TB she's the type that rather be left alone. A bit standoffish. My body language was not to crash hot so that's the reason why it didn't quite work. I shall try again.
Thanks again :)

Miriam (Holland&Germany) 2011-Aug-12 at 10:41AM

Hi Candy,
Some horses that have been single-line-lunged a lot (maybe by previous owners?) have been taught to stay at the outside of the ring. They might have difficulties coming in towards you.
What you can do when you go on a 45 degree and invite her, as she stops you start arching, crossing her body-line as Gen suggests and then walk away from her. Chances are that she'll feel encouraged to come in and follow you.
Keep trying and let us know how you're doing!
Miriam

star 2011-Aug-12 at 02:47PM

Hi Candy,
When I first got MY SYAR,
I had the same problem, for her it's her hot bloodedness and being a mare and not understanding Equas. Like most hotties they have a mind of their own and prefer their own company.
It took some time on both our parts but we got it right in the end.
You keep doing your best and as Monty says don't forget to praise every little bit of performance she does do well.
And pat yourself on the back for trying.
You'll succeed, you'll see!
Ronda