The Man Who Hears Horses presents Monty Roberts' pioneering method of communicating with animals. Considered the world's greatest equine trainer and known as a horse whisperer, Monty Roberts uses sensitivity and trust, without resorting to violence.
Monty Roberts had a troubled childhood and a strained relationship with his father, a traditional horse trainer who used violent methods to tame the animals, believing that if he hurt them, he wouldn't be hurt. Despite the disapproval he received for expressing discomfort with his father's treatment of the animals, Monty fought against it and recounts in The Man Who Listens to Horses how he developed a special connection with equines and his concern for finding a gentler, more respectful way to train them.
Through his time with horses, Monty Roberts learned the importance of balance, empathy, and mutual trust in developing a harmonious relationship between man and animal. In this book, Monty describes his training techniques, based on attentiveness and observation of equine behavior and silent communication, which have enabled him to overcome challenges and establish a deep connection with horses.
The idea to turn his experience with animal communication methods into a book came from another horse enthusiast, Queen Elizabeth II, from whom he received the decoration as a Member of the Victorian Order. Monty Roberts's life story also served as inspiration for the 1998 film "The Horse Whisperer," starring Robert Redford.
The Man Who Listens to Horses doesn't just offer a method for initiating and training horses; it transcends the subject, also presenting lessons learned from them. The book remained on the top ten bestseller lists in the US and UK for over a year, according to Publishers Weekly .
"For anyone who cares about animals, not just horses, this book is a must read." - John Oaksey, Daily Telegraph
"The book is, on the one hand, an apology to horses for forcing them to endure our lack of understanding, and, on the other, an attempt to provide the missing link. No one has done more to achieve these aims than Monty Roberts." - Spectator
"Extraordinary... As Roberts speaks, wisdom born of an immensely varied life floats out of him. Surprising, multifaceted, and definitely enriching." - Sporting Life
