The Horses in My Life

by Monty Roberts

Trainer Monty Roberts, who is famous the world over as "the man who listens to horses," celebrates his best-loved horses, chosen from the tens of thousands he has worked with over the past 60 years.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Biography, Own

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Monty Roberts was an American horse trainer, author, and educator whose pioneering work in natural horsemanship has influenced horse owners and trainers around the world. Best known for developing the Join-Up method, he advocates a compassionate approach that replaces force and intimidation with trust, observation, and communication. Roberts maintains that horses communicate through a subtle, nonverbal language he calls "Equus," and that people can learn to understand these signals to establish willing partnerships with horses. His philosophy emerged from years of observing wild mustangs and has since been demonstrated through clinics, educational programs, and international tours. Roberts operates Flag Is Up Farms in California, where he teaches students from across the globe, and has expanded his educational mission through online courses and public demonstrations. His bestselling autobiography, The Man Who Listens to Horses, introduced his ideas to a worldwide audience, remaining on The New York Times bestseller list for fifty-eight weeks and selling millions of copies in numerous languages. He later published several additional books, including Shy Boy, Horse Sense for People, From My Hands to Yours, The Horses in My Life, and Ask Monty, each exploring different aspects of humane horse training and the bond between horses and humans. Roberts has also been the subject of documentaries and television programs that showcase his methods and their practical applications. His work attracted the attention of Queen Elizabeth II, who invited him to demonstrate his techniques at Windsor Castle and encouraged him to document his philosophy in book form. Their enduring professional relationship led to his appointment as an Honorary Member of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of his services to the royal racing establishment. Beyond the equestrian world, Roberts has applied his principles of trust, leadership, and communication in schools, youth programs, correctional facilities, and corporate settings, demonstrating how lessons learned from horses can inspire more respectful and effective relationships between people.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shouldn't be read until you first read The Man Who Listens to Horses and Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in From the Wild. This book assumes that you've read the previous two books and goes from there.

As the title suggests, this looks at the main horses in Monty's long and dramatic life. Internationally, the most famous horse he ever worked with was Alleged, dual winner of the Arc and jaw-dropping, empire making Thoroughbred. For Americans, Monty's most famous horse was Shy Boy (or is -- I think he's still alive in his 30s). For Quarter Horse people, Monty will be forever known for Johnny Tivio.

He worked with Mustangs fresh from the range, crossbreeds, a movie horse turned show horse, race horses, dressage horses, hunters, jumpers and, most of all, Quarter Horses. The horses that most impacted his life were with him for a day in his clinic, or for years as his personal horse. Some horses are grouped together in a chapter, but mainly it's one horse per chapter. Some of the horse's stories are heartbreaking -- such as what happened to Monty's first pony, Ginger.

Considering all of that, the book is unfocused, wandering here and there as Monty (then about 70) tries to remember things. The book about the horses in his life isn't written for horse people, but for the dreaded "general audience." There's a glossary in the back listing Horse 101 terms.

There's also way too much in here about people. And, as an atheist, I didn't appreciate the God talk.

Monty is a strange guy to me. He's typical of those in various horse industries that think after you sell a horse, your obligations are over. He also thinks that cruel horse sports like racing, cow horse and rodeo events are best changed from within. Why not just ban them outright and save everybody a lot of hassle? Oh -- that means Monty needs to get another job.

Monty has made positive contributions to horses in little ways like the use of heavy blankets for some race horses who refuse to enter the starting gate, but overall, horses still get the shit end of the stick in America, Europe and elsewhere. Think people like the late Queen of England or Sheik Maktoum of Goldolphin cares one bit about a horse when you can no longer make money from that horse? They don't give a flying fuck.

The book is generously sprinkled with photos, but sometimes they serve as spoilers.

So, overall, a hypnotic but frustrating book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in two days. It was a pageturner, but only for those highly interested in the subject of horse training methods using nonviolence. Monty retells touching stories of the most influential horses in his life. I cried at least twice! Though the stories are in general about his trials and tribulations with training, there are elements of the universal human struggle with self and others. There is failure, triumph, and courage to believe in ones self. It is a very inspirational read. If you notice the gentle beauty of horses, this book is for you.

[Kandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. It's the second book by this author that I have read, and I loved reading his autobiographical accounts of the horses he has known and loved. They teach us so much. If I read too much about him and his horses, I'll get the horse-crazy fever again, because I know what can be done with these amazing minds, especially if you get to them before some fool has damaged them.

[Wendy Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I approached this book with trepidation, but actually, it was a nice collection of moments with specific horses that shaped him into who he is, and how they changed his life. Somehow, it reminded me of Angela's Ashes in that way. Monty Roberts is a horseman's Frank McCourt? Maybe so.

[Meljay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the way horses interact with us, each one has it's own personality which Monty brings out in the book. A Good read!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who love horses and/or work with them, this is a fantastic book. Monty Roberts shows how horses should be listened to and that they don't need to be beaten or "traditionally broke" to work and live with humans. I always thought there was a way! While I struggled with some racing terminology, the love he feels for these beautiful creatures is so worth reading about! Thank you, Monty Roberts!

[John of Canada · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me two days to read this.Monty Roberts is the luckiest author out there.

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this master of 'join up'. What an incredible life Monty has had with truly memorable experiences!

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Monty Roberts and loved reading the many, many horse and horse stories he had in his life. The first person to find a way to share natural horsemanship all over the world in his movie. I’ve met Shy Boy at Monty Roberts ranch in California and it’s a wonderful place.

[Keryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not one who takes well to short stories, but this book has changed that view a little. Suited to horse enthusiasts aspiring to learn the 'language equus', it is a celebration of Monty Roberts' best-loved horses. The tales are crafted beautifully, diaplaying individual characterics, experiences, successes and failures with each horse. What amazed me was the diversity of the disciplines described - from Western riding horses through to racehorses, from mustangs to thoroughbreds, from performing in front of the Queen of England to bonding with a young colt in the wilderness, the techniques used were so similar and just as effective. I have since spent some time online and am impressed with the legacy being left by Monty Roberts through online training and promotion of his methodology to improve the relationship between man and horse. For me, the story of Shy Boy stands out - 'a wonderful little American mustang', taken from the wild, returned to the wild, and opted back out of the wild who 'shows young Thoroughbreds how to go through the starting gate and is quite capable of assisting young cutting horses or reined cow horses by helping with the duties of controlling the cattle they are working.' An excellent read.

[AuthorsOnTourLive! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monty Roberts discusses his book The Horses In My Life. Monty Roberts is famous the world over as "the man who listens to horses," and for his autobiography of the same name.

In this new book, he celebrates his best-loved horses, chosen from the tens of thousands he has worked with over the past 60 years. All 52 of the horses featured--from Ginger, the retired ranch horse, to international classic-winning Thoroughbred racehorses, have contributed something unique to Monty's understanding of their kind.

We met Monty Roberts when he visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to him talk about The Horses in My Life here:
http://www.authorsontourlive.com/?p=23

[Oceana2602 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A celebration of Monty Robert's best-loved horses. There was no question that I would read this one day, and it was everything I expected.
Recommended for horse-lovers who are interested in Monty Roberts.

[Jen Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of similar information from his first book, but this one focuses on the horses much more than his life and the join-up method. I really enjoyed the pictures of the horses and the stories behind each one

[Stephanie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tumbled headlong with enchanted awe into 52 neatly packaged stories, complete with dozens of glossy photos, of legendary and influential equines. Great idea for a book. Color me thoroughly intrigued by them all, though I'm still traumatized by Ginger.

[Randine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, everybody has an opinion on Monty Roberts and all i can say is that his intimate revelations regarding the horses that stand out in his life are remarkable. He started out very young with a very keen eye for conformation and was so successful and that's BESIDES his horse whisperer attributes.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! After reading his other book 'The man who listens to horses' it was great to learn more about all the horses that changed his life. Monty Roberts is a true inspiration and I hope I can forge a smilie relationship with my horse based on love trust and understanding.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the short stories about the individual horses. Still wonder who the trainer is who left those horses in the trailer all those years ago.

[Ashley Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book. Amazing read for any horse lover.... great book by a great writer who's had an amazing life with horses and making life better for all horses.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

*review to be posted shortly*

[Rita Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Horses in My Life by Monty Roberts features 52 horses who hold a special place in his heart. Each chapter depicts a horse outstanding in his own way or from whom Monty has learned a valuable lesson. A wonderful book for horse lovers who will eagerly devour every word.