Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild – Monty Roberts' PBS Story of Trust, Transformation, and a Mustang's Ultimate Choice

by Monty Roberts, Christopher Dydyk (Photographer)

"To appreciate Shy Boy, " writes horse gentler Monty Roberts, "you must see him or his kind running free and easy, in a wide open space." This compelling story, and the breathtaking photographs that accompany it, offer a chance to do just that. During a dramatic three-day ride across miles of high desert, Monty Roberts used all his skill to connect with the little mustang he finally befriended. In the year that followed, Shy Boy grew to love life on the farm, playfully demanding attention, and becoming fascinated by children. After a year of challenges and one frightening illness, the wild horse's exceptional spirit earned the respect and admiration of his trainers. And, as a result of a PBS-aired program based on his initial encounter with Roberts, Shy Boy gained international fame. Yet throughout this extraordinary year, Monty Roberts struggled with the question, "Would Shy Boy rather be free?" With trepidation, he took Shy Boy back to the wild to let him choose. The event, and its stunning conclusion, are memorably captured in these magnificent photographs and in a story that is both unforgettable and inspiring.

Genres: Horses, Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Biography, True Story

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

He wrote that by personally observing horses in the wild, he learned to "listen" to their non-verbal "language"; that when horses understood that they can trust you, they will decide to be with you. Roberts registered as his term for "hooking on", the phrase "Join~Up", in which a trainer negotiates with an untamed horse to form a voluntary relationship with him

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monty Roberts is one my heros when it comes to all things equine. He has a natural tenderness in him that I can only hope to embody in my ongoing work with horses (and people!). Mustangs, especially, are highly sensitive animals with intensely honed instincts; only someone like Roberts who effortlessly speaks their language (the language of Equus as he aptly names it), can truly commune with the soul of the horse and develop a relationship that is of immeasurable depth and value.

What impresses me most about Monty Roberts, though, is not his seemingly innate talent as horse whisperer and cowboy, but his willingness to test theories, to admit defeat when defeat is due, and to ultimately, under whatever circumstance, do what is in the best interest of the horse.

Because truly, horsemanship should never be about humans making demands of their mounts and forcing results at whatever cost (often by resorting to highly abusive and violent “techniques”), but of a willing and mutual partnership in which the horse learns from the human just as readily as the human learns from the horse.

After gentling Shy Boy and developing a profound relationship, Monty bravely and selflessly gave Shy Boy the most valuable opportunity; an opportunity that 99% of “owned” horses are denied. Monty gave Shy Boy a choice: be free or come home.

He came home.

What a testament to the incredible, surreal bond that can be fostered through gentleness, patience, and utter respect for these creatures who have, miraculously, decided to be our friends and partners in this life.

Humans, humans. We have a lot to learn.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really beautiful reading experience. It follows Monty Roberts and various members of his team as they attempt to join-up with a Mustang in the Nevada desert. Both the story and the accompanying photos, taken by Christopher Dydyk, are incredible. I quickly became very invested in Shy Boy and the journey they were undertaking.

I was quite emotional at the end of the book, it was very touching. Recommended if horses (or communication with animals and people) are of interest to you.

[LucyV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monty Roberts is a unique man with a singular philosophy: to treat both people and animals with respect. Apparently, after the Queen of England watched one of his live demonstrations of training horses, she urged him to write about it. Thus, he became "The Man Who Listens to Horses" and went on to also work with troubled youth.

This book is about one mustang named Shy Boy bought from a BLM auction. The story also turned into a BBC documentary chronicling taming a horse in open land. Beautiful story, beautiful photographs showing a connection between a man and a horse.

[MTR · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot about this story that bothered me-- I don't know a lot about the issue around saving wild mustangs-the author was careful in his critique of the BLM. While I applaud his efforts to influence the way wild horses are "broken" his method of dogging the horse into submission was disturbing. Not to mention these wealthy ranchers spreading their destructive cattle all over these beautiful wild places. I give 5 stars to the photographs, though.

[Buchstabenwald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich denke, viele von uns kennen den Film „Der Pferdeflüsterer“ mit Robert Redford..? Falls nicht, Bildungslücke, bitte anschauen!
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Monty Roberts ist ein wahrer Pferdeflüsterer - „Shy Boy“ ist sein zweites Buch. Nachdem er in seinem ersten Buch seinen Lebensweg veröffentlicht hat, nimmt er uns jetzt zu einer ganz besonderen Episode seines Weges mit.
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Hier erzählt er von einer der einschneidendsten und bewegendsten Episode seines Lebens. Davon, als er als einsamer Cowboy in die Prärie geritten ist und es dort innerhalb kürzester Zeit geschafft hat, das Vertrauen eines wilden Mustangs zu gewinnen, so dass sich dieser sogar von ihm reiten ließ.
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Dabei wendet Monty Roberts seine „Join-Up“-Methode an - das gewaltfreie Zähmen eines Pferdes durch Zuneigung und Vertrauen. Mit Körpersprache, Einfühlungsvermögen und Geduld gelingt es Monty so die Tiere zu erreichen, zu verstehen und das Zutrauen sogar der verstörtesten Pferde zu gewinnen.
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Ich bin prinzipiell begeistert von Monty Roberts modernem Zugang zur Tierhaltung. Versuche nicht das Tier zu beherrschen, sondern es zu verstehen. Gewalt und Angst sind keine nachhaltigen Erziehungsmethoden. Das weiß Monty Roberts aus eigener Erfahrung, woran er uns auch in seinem Buch teilhaben lässt. Auch das ist ein Punkt der mich sehr anspricht - es wird nicht nur das wie und was rund ums Pferde zähmen beschrieben, sondern auch das WARUM.
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Was mir einzig weniger gefallen hat: Viel Selbstbeweihräucherung. Eigenlob stinkt und an manchen Stellen im Buch hat es leider ordentlich gemüffelt. Bildgewaltig, bewegend, aber doch leider ab und an recht dick aufgetragen.
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Dies macht jedoch die Botschaft und Monty Lebenswerk nicht kleiner. Er hat, durch sein Über-den-Tellerrand-blicken und seinen friedlichen Umgang mit den Tieren hat er (vor allem) die amerikanische Pferdehaltung immens bereichert.
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[Gail Amendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book club pick and not something I would have picked for myself, but I quite enjoyed this book by renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts about his successful gentling of a wild mustang on open land. The photos in this book are truly beautiful. I did wonder why he went off on a tangent about his demonstrations and about other horses he has worked with in the middle of this book though. It's almost as if he wanted to include some stuff he forgot to put in the last book.

[Terry Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, illustrates the wild and gentle sides of the majestic mustangs!

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 amazing story 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.

[Susie Kramer-Joneston · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book should be labeled as fiction. You can see in the photos that Shyboy was shod. No wild mustang is shod. Secondly his own photographer sued him for fraud right after this. Monty Roberts claims he loves and would never abuse horses but the people who owned the horse that Monty rode during his "capture" of Shyboy sued him for animal abuse. Monty caused that horse to suffer severe injuries and Shyboy was chased aggressively over many many miles. That alone is abuse. People who saw Shyboy at Monty's Flag is Up Farm have documented that the poor horse was left alone in an outdoor pen with no friends or shelter and that his feet were never taken care of because no one could get near the horse. What a farce. Sorry horse lovers there are far better books out there to read.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monty Roberts is a man to look up to. He has a way not only with horses but various flight-driven species; deer, ect.
He uses a gentle approach and is a leader in the growing movement towards 'gentling' horses, rather than breaking them. His work is proving to even the most traditional cowboy that there are other methods that are kinder to the horse, and at the same time work and create a more respectful and willing relationship between man and equine.

[Amandine · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'admire énormément Monty Roberts et c'est un véritable plaisir de lire ses livres. Celui-ci est magnifique et richement doté de splendides photos. J’apprécie beaucoup sa méthode d'approche des chevaux tout en douceur et j'ai beaucoup appris grâce à ce grand homme de cheval. Cette aventure avec Shy Boy est juste extraordinaire et donne à réfléchir sur les méthodes habituelles.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shy Boy is a great book for horse lovers -- but be sure that the recipient likes Monty Roberts. There are many "horse people" who can't stand him. This is a very hopeful book and well illustrated. The text is thin.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An easy read, enjoyable and accompanied by some beautiful pictures. I believe Monty Roberts is an exceptional horseman and I fully support his philosophy of treating horses with respect and choosing non-violence. However, I do think he's also a very clever business man, claiming "discovering" horse language and being very self congratulatory on this - even when, in passing, mentioning he uses some of the same techniques that native Americans used centuries before him.

The "my way is the right way" and "this is what I and I alone discovered" approach does not really agree with me. I believe that his join-up and using horse language technique works with many horses, but science has already poked some holes in the idea of it being that horse friendly as it rests very much on pressure and release - and as Roberts himself describes in the chapter on ET, pressure is not a pleasurable thing for horses.

I wish commercial horsemen like Monty Roberts would allow for a bit more flexibility and humility. Even if they "discovered" horse language themselves, in the many years making their name and money off it, they've learned about and from horsemen, cultures and techniques that did what they do as well as they do it or even better way before them. This, combined with some of the stories in the book that do not seem to tell the full story or are dramatised/coloured, leads me to 3.5 stars/3 on here.

[Julie Perey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part storytelling and part documentary about one of Monty Roberts biggest challenges: A man who had wanted to find the way of horsemanship - with no violence, no forcing, no pain, just understanding of the horse‘s language.

It tells the story about Young Monty who as a kid already did a JoinUp, his patented method of making the horse flee until it turns to the human on it‘s own volition, on a wild mustang. Always laughed at, no one believed Monty that he was able to accomplish this.

Now that he‘s an old man, his dream finally comes true: He gets to perform another JoinUp with a wild mustang while a BBC crew films it, cementing it for future generations. Monty meets Shy Boy - a wild mustang that within a few days already allows someone to ride him and can in a matter of weeks do the work of an experienced ranch horse.

Monty‘s description of the conditions and struggles he had to face before, during and after Shy Boy, are very vividly written. His gentle descriptions and absolute belief of his methods will make you smile and say: wow, it actually can be this easy!

Some retellings during his time connecting with people create a very clear link between Monty‘s vision for horses and the way people treat other people: Violence and instilling fear is never the answer if you want someone to trust you.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes one man's journey to bring awareness to the historically cruel relationship between humans and horses. Monty's patient and understanding way to connect with wild and troubled horses show the potential for a different future and style of horse training. We follow Monty on his journey to show how his technique works by taming a wild mustang that would become known as Shy Boy. The book has beautiful photographs of the process throughout its pages so you feel like you are there in the Cuyama Valley, California watching this story unfold. If nothing else, this book asks the reader to consider if there is a different way, moving forward. Can we cultivate stronger better relationships with people, animals, and the world around us if we are kind and patient. Monty and Shy Boy show us, yes, we can.

[Tammi Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolute joy to read. Understanding horse language is a fascination to me, and it is a gift that only a few seem to really learn to speak. It takes time, endless amounts of time, patience, and a willingness to learn; the payoff is a bond that seems to be one of the sweetest bonds that can exist between human and animal. This book contains beautiful pictures and the story of Monty Roberts, who took a little 13.1 hand wild Mustang and trained him so well and with such kindness and respect, that when given the choice between returning to his wild herd and staying with Monty, he chose Monty. Loved this story.

[Vickie Kulp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a horse lover all my life (decades). I liked this book, not only for the story but it has beautiful photos in it.Very short review-Monty Roberts wanted to find out if he could get a young mustang away from his herd. He got one he named Shy Boy. For almost a year Shy Boy was a domesticated horse. Many asked him if Shy Boy is happiest being with him or back with his wild mustang herd. Monty found out in last chapter. I won't spoil it by saying what happened.If you're a horse lover or any animal lover, I think you will enjoy this book.

[Kalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my to read shelf for almost 10 years. I am happy I finally read it. It’s a nice book and relatively short if you are looking for a quick read. Reading horse books makes me miss riding but it is interesting that Monty doesn’t train horses for riding he “starts” them. I found this interesting because a casual horse person probably does realize that a horse’s training to be a good ranch horse requires more then just “join-up”

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love horses so was interested in the story behind this. The information that was there was good, but I was hoping for a lot more detail. There was a lot of summing up about the process. Maybe he has more detail in his other book; so I'll probably give it a try. It's not a bad read; just don't expect a lot of detail.

[Fee-Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine unglaubliche Erzählung mit viel Herz. Dazwischen finden sich prächtige Farbfotos.
Einen Stern Abzug gibt es dafür, dass es am Ende fast nur ein kleiner Teil des Buches ist, der sich mit der Zähmung von Shy Boy beschäftigt... Viel Geplänkel davor und Erzählungen über andere Pferde, wie Blushing ET, lenken irgendwie vom eigentlichen Thema ab und wirken fehl am Platz.

[Samara · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

An amazing true story about one man who spends three days taming a mustang in the wild. Shows a beautiful side of horse training where both man and beast are working together. It's a relationship built on mutual trust and respect, not one forged through domination and fear. I love how photos of the events are included. Monty Roberts is a legend.

[Mollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mich haben die Geschichten zu häuslicher Gewalt bewegt, die Monty Roberts widerfahren sind, sowie den Menschen, die seine Vorstellungen besuchten. Monty’s Methoden scheinen eine starke Verbesserung zu dem zu sein, was Pferden früher angetan wurde.

Meine gebundene Ausgabe von 1998 ist sogar mit Fäden gebunden und nicht geklebt. So etwas habe ich schon länger nicht mehr gesehen.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect approach for training horses. Monte Roberts reveals how through observation he has discovered a way to communicate with horses. He gentles them rather than using brutality. This is a story about how he gets a wild mustang to accept being ridden in less than 3 days.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story....beautiful horse and tender man

[James Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a mustang's join-up & training - strong section on dealing with abuse.

[Atacama9006 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Shy Boy story!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two words: horses & photography!

[Tamra Oscroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it proves Monty Roberts' point that Shy Boy, the mustang that he tamed, is with him by choice! Be ready with a box of tissues for the ending though!!!

[Isabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich kenne mich nicht wirklich mit Pferden aus, aber fand das Buch wirklich ermüdend. Seine Methode wilde Pferde zu zähmen, wäre für mich besser in einem Film dargestellt.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horseman Monty Roberts sets out to tame a horse in the wild, befriending and training him without force. Powerful read on the connection between people and animals.