Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
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37(37%)
3 stars
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100 reviews
April 26,2025
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I just listened to this book, and several times, I didn't want to get out of the car. It was interesting. I want to learn more about how Monty interacts with the horses to get them trusting them because he says it's a similar concept for humans. Hmmm. . . His approach and methods have been very, very successful consistently. I was sad to learn that his dad was abusive.
April 26,2025
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Interesting story. I don’t have much experience with horses but enjoyed the story and admire people that think of animals as more than a pet or working tool. I’ve seen that animals learn and respond to people. I enjoyed the book even though I will probably never train or own a horse.
April 26,2025
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There are many reports that Monty Roberts is a fake. Although he may have good training principles, many people have stated that alot of the events he wrote about in this book were made up.
April 26,2025
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I enjoyed Monty's book very much and I chose to disregard the rebuttal of his story by his own family. I simply think his story should be taken at face value and hopefully his approach to breaking horses softy has deterred harsh treatment and has made the public aware of the abusive treatment of horses. That fact alone makes this book worthwhile.
April 26,2025
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This was so entertaining! While I was growing up, my family had horses for a little while. I wish I had read this back then. His relationships with horses made me want a horse all over again, but so that I could have a better relationship with them. It's fascinating to learn about all of the things he learned from watching wild horses. It's also fascinating to hear about his childhood and all of the crazy experiences he has had throughout his life. Whether you are a horse lover or not, this book is completely enthralling.
April 26,2025
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This is an autobiography from a horse trainer who obviously has a way with horses. The early years are endearing. As a teenager in Salinas he goes to Nevada each year with his brother to get 150 wild mustangs for riding contests at the county fair. He spends long hours watching horses in groups on the desert. He learns a horse "language" and is able to train them for saddle in 30 minutes. He grows, he fights various injustices with his parents and then in a lucky time, goes to England to show his skills to the Queen and various UK trainers. His fame grows. Later chapters detail the crookedness of some of the horse races and their owners. He almost loses his life and his home, a ranch outside Solvang, California. Today at 84 years, Roberts and his family continue the ranch, with teaching and events. Quite a story.
April 26,2025
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When I read this book 10 or so years ago, I had never heard of Monty Roberts before, or at least, I couldn't remember ever having read of him before even though I had been a subscriber to popular horse magazines such as Western Horseman from the time I was a kid.

I took the book at face value, until it was proven to my satisfaction by several various other sources that much of the autobiographical information in it disqualifies the book from 'nonfiction' status. Marvin Roberts did not beat his son and was not a murdering racist.

You can read more about Marvin Roberts Sr and Marguerite Roberts at HorseWhispersAndLies.com.

In Jonathon Turley's article, 'A Peddler of Court Gossip May Pay the Piper,' he quotes Gary Condit's lawyers, 'The horse whisperer is identified by Condit's lawyers as Monty Roberts, a man with "a long and notorious history of lying."'

In 'The Man Who Listens To Horses,' Roberts wrote of his horse Dually, "Dually was a cull from the Greg Ward Ranch, a throw-away horse whom no one would buy."

I looked up Dually's AQHA show and ownership records:

Dually (PEPINICS DUALLY),
AQHA ownership records show as dates of sale:
CURRENT OWNER : MONTY AND PAT ROBERTS SOLVANG, CA 01/09/1995
2ND PREV OWNER : GREG AND/OR LAURA WARD TULARE, CA 03/01/1994
It should be noted that Greg Ward (deceased) is known as one of the greatest Reined Cowhorse trainers of all time.

AQHA performance records for Dually show:
NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 6,295.51 Earned thru 01/01/1994
NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 5,404.18 Earned thru 11/02/1995

Apparently, this unwanted, undesirable horse had earned over $6000 before acquired by Monty.

Dually was a product not only of Greg Ward's training but also of his breeding program that has produced many world class money earners in NCHA, NRHA, NRCHA, and AQHA, descended from Greg Ward's great mare Fillinic.

Greg's taming and training of the hypersensitive Fillinic has become legendary. I think that Greg Ward (deceased, from cancer), was truly the kind of horseman that we all dream of becoming!
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What is indisputable, however, is that Roberts is a talented horseman who has helped many people with their horse handling problems and that he is a man who uses his celebrity status in service of humane causes.
April 26,2025
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I wanted to read this book because I saw the movie with Robert Redford. I read this book in 48 hours because I could NOT put it down - even though I was on vacation!
Monty Roberts' methods can be used with other creatures - humans as well. His awful childhood and unique handicap prepare him well to become one of the world's best horse trainers - even Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom this so!
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horses!
April 26,2025
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I just remembered this book. I got it for Christmas a long time ago and loved it. I might read it again sometime.
April 26,2025
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I read this years ago... can't remember when. It started the change in the way I communicated with my horses.

Monty Roberts' story - his life - is devoted to the horse.

For non-horse people, it's an interesting read.

For horse people... it could be the turning point in your equine relationships.

April 26,2025
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This is a fascinating read by a masterful storyteller of real life events. Roberts excells in the art of interesting communication!
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