Monty Roberts Equus Online University | Monty's Horse Training Post: What age to do join up?

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

← back

My Join-Up® Experience

What age to do join up?

By:

sara.garrett

Date:

2020-Jul-02 at 06:10PM

Hi guys,

My girl has literally just turned 2 and today I have down join up with her.

It went really well and she was quick to want to come in to me.

Some people have since said she is too young as it can be bad for the joints. She wasn’t cantering around manic for long periods of time so I don’t understand. What age should this be done?

JoHewittVINTA 2020-Jul-03 at 01:21AM

Hi Sara & welcome to the Uni. Why would anyone think 2 years old is too young for Join up? Monty has started so many thoroughbreds at much younger than 2 - thoroughbreds are racing at 2 so they have got broken in & then fit by their second birthday. Unfortunately, many people think this is normal for all equine breeds - but it shouldn't be! They need longer to mature- & maybe thoroughbreds do too. Not something I have expertise in. If your girl has Joined up with you then you have started on a journey, you & her can do all manner of training without addressing the issue of riding - like, coming to the mounting block, going through a variety of hazards on long lines, plastic bags, water crossings. There are so many things you can address before you come to riding. This is a real opportunity for you to give this girl a wide verity of experience before anyone sits on her back - &, having raised youngsters myself, I know they will love the experience. Show her how to pull things, show her water shouldn't be feared, show her traffic is ok, show her life is FUN. Go to it. You have a real opportunity here. Do not let people hold her back - she's raring to go - go with her! Cheers, Jo.

sara.garrett 2020-Jul-03 at 06:25PM

Hi Jo

Thank you for your reply.

My girl is a cob so lots of people are saying it’s too much for her joints to be cantering around the round pen but she was quick to join up.

JoHewittVINTA 2020-Jul-04 at 03:19AM

Hi Sara. Lots of tight work for any 2 year old is probably not a good idea. However, I was suggesting long line work, trust building stuff which any 2 year old can do & will love. I know because I've had four, two home bred, 1 who came to me aged 6 months & another as a two year old - a rescue, & he's an Irish cob, now 12. Once they learn to trust you the really crazy stuff - that everyone says can't be done, is easy. Study the lessons on the Uni, be creative with your training, have fun but make sure your filly has fun &, over time you will have a partnership to be proud of, that others will covert. Cheers, Jo.