Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: My 1st Join Up Attempt

Learn all about Equus • Dually Halter • Shy Boy Mustang • Jumping Horses
• Story of a Horse Whisperer • Riding Horsemanship • Dressage Horses • Willing Partners
• Horse Training • Round Pen Lessons • Performance Horses • Join-Up

Watch Monty's horse training videos to learn how he demonstrates communication through horse training techniques that the amateur and professional alike consider to be the trainable skills of a horse whisperer yet Monty calls it horse gentling.
Monty's horse training techniques are non violent with intelligent natural horsemanship. In addition to video instructions, Monty has written many books related to natural horsemanship. Monty trains safe horses for nervous riders called Willing Partners. Monty trains world class race horses for sale.
“I am very proud to be a part of Her Majesty’s horse training and her passion for their welfare. I believe she is the leading monarch for the advocacy of horses in the world. She is a thought leader in this field. Her Majesty's horses are trained using the Dually Halter, making a difference in the training of sensitive animals by giving the horse the choice to partner in the training.” ~ Monty
“I communicate with a horse in what I call the Language of Equus; a silent language of gestures that is discernible, predictable and effective. Now you can learn from my videos, audio and notes to help you understand the horse as I do. This language is really quite simple, but simplicity becomes its greatest strength.” ~ Monty
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
"My life's goal is to leave the world a better place than I found it, for horses and for people too". ~ Monty Roberts

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My Join-Up® Experience

My 1st Join Up Attempt

By:

HenryV

Date:

2026-Apr-05 at 12:34AM

I am completely new to horses and am really excited about being part of this community. I reactivated my account about three months ago and have really jumped in head first. I am working on a horse ranch in Romance, AR and have started riding about 3 months ago and am just now starting to practice Join Up.

This was my first attempt and these are my after review analysis.

1) I didn't have my shoulders square
2) I was looking mostly at his legs instead of being eyes on eyes

Mojo and I have already had a somewhat connection and so I don't know if that may have influenced the result, which I wouldn't say was a success. Looking forward to your feedback.

https://youtu.be/HjsU-ud4Kww?si=qlSsyaenj7Y17-fE

JoHewittVINTA 2026-Apr-08 at 12:47PM

Hi & welcome to the Uni. Your video shows a good attempt but you still have work to do - just bear in mind that we are all, including Monty, still learning every day. First point is you're too close & too far back - in order to be eyes on eyes you need to be on a tighter circle than the horse & at his elbow ( you are at his hip ). Also, if the horse doesn't respond to line slapping try line throwing, ideally so it lands lightly on him - watch Monty some more! If that fails, try plastic on a long, light stick.

Your follow up could be calmer, although I fully understand your excitement at your success. Your horse is working extra hard for you, making huge allowances for your communications. That's not bad so long as you are aware. A less experienced horse will be somewhat bewildered with your conversation. Keep studying, practice both in a mirror and in real life. Let us know how you get on. Cheers, Jo.