Monty Roberts Join-Up Questions...

OK... I'm a ginourmous fan of Monty Roberts. I love what he does, and how he does it. I was watching a couple videos of him doing his join-up, and I was wondering... if I could try it out. There are a few horses (ponies) at the stables that nobody ever messes with, so I think if I can gather up enough courage, I could get one of them out into a ring, and try out a bit of join-up myself. But here are a couple questions:

1. Since all of the rings are square, would I need to put something in the corners?

2. How much supervision would I need? The rings are right next to the "cafe" thing, so adults would be watching...

3. This still works fine with already trained horses... right? Not just problem ones and young, untrained horses?

4. What are your opinions on all of this?

1. Since all of the rings are square, would I need to put something in the corners? --- You don't HAVE to. I've joined up with alot of horses, some in square arenas. I guess its just a safety thing so they can't turn their butt to you as easily? But if you keep them going and really show em who is boss, they wont stop in the corners.



2. How much supervision would I need? The rings are right next to the "cafe" thing, so adults would be watching... --- You will want someone there, just in case. Mild-mannered horses wont try that much charging, excpecially with a lead/lunge whip in your hand.



3. This still works fine with already trained horses... right? Not just problem ones and young, untrained horses? --- It works with every horse if you do it right. I use it to solve horse's respect problems. And if they wont let me pick up their feet, I join up then try again. If they wont let me again, I join up again. So on. This works for other things also, not just feet.




4. What are your opinions on all of this? --- As long as you have a good understanding of the join up and how it works and how to do it, I'd say go for it. But I would advise getting a book or DVD or reading instructions before you just hop in the arena. You could confuse the horse and maybe even mess up its training if you do it wrong.



Message me for other questions; id be glad to help. I love the join up and use it all the time!

I can't get a DVD... I have Monty Robert's books... and I'm also researching a lot on youtube and other sites about it... so I hope that's enough. I WILL be asking my Grandma to bring me some... (she'll have a field day at Half-Price books... heheh)

Monty's family wrote a book about his alleged lies... it's called Horse Whispers and Lies.
Now, I admit, I don't know everything about it, and I certainly can't comment on his practises, because I don't know him or what he does.. I do really like the join-up technique he uses though.

As long as you have the knowledge and courage... GO FOR IT!!

Now, I hope people don't jump on me for my above post,
I will admit though, I do really love his Join-Up technique, and I have always wanted to try it

Its an amazing feeling to join up with your horse. When I first started it, I wasnt very good, so some horses had to be calmed of their fear of whips, [heheeee]

Buts its great. :)

I can imagine the feeling! It would be fantastic, and I think it would bring us closer together..
I really want to try it one of these days, but I don't know exactly how to do it and stuff.

I've heard that join-up isn't for all horses. Some horses just won't join up. I tried it with my horse and it didn't work. Of course, I'm pretty inexperienced with joining-up... but I asked about join-up on another forum and was told that it can't be done with all horses.