08/05/2026
MONTY ROBERTS - 1935 - 2026
Monty Roberts, the horseman who taught the world to listen, dies aged 91
Monty Roberts, the American horseman whose gentle, trust-based methods changed how riders around the world think about working with horses, has died at the age of 91.
Born Marvin Earl Roberts in Salinas, California, on 14 May 1935, Roberts grew up the son of a horse trainer who followed traditional, often forceful methods. As a teenager sent to round up wild mustangs, he began watching how horses communicated with one another, and set about building an approach based on trust rather than force. He called it Join-Up, a process in which the handler earns a horse's willingness to follow rather than demanding submission.
His best-selling memoir, The Man Who Listens to Horses, carried that idea to millions of readers and made him an international figure. His methods drew the attention of Queen Elizabeth II, who learned of his work in 1989 and became a prominent supporter, and he was later honoured with appointment to the Royal Victorian Order. He was also frequently associated with the wider 'horse whisperer' phenomenon popularised by Nicholas Evans' novel and the Robert Redford film.
His long-time mustang companion Shy Boy, with whom he demonstrated Join-Up in public, died only a few months before him at around 33 years old.
For a generation of riders and trainers, Roberts helped move the conversation toward lower-force, welfare-led handling. His learning centre and the instructors he certified continue this vital work internationally.
We remember Monty Roberts with gratitude after meeting him in South Africa several years ago. Thank you, , for everything you did for horses and for the horse community at large.
