[MeNecie]

Hi,
I was thinking about attending his Join Up clinic or some of the starter clinics and was wondering if anyone has attended one before.
I have used his method a few times and have enjoyed reading his books, but other then that, I have never started a fresh horse like that.
Anyone with an opinion on his training?

[Haas Horse Farm]

Yep regardless of the trainer or the method it is only useful if you can actually use it. Have you determined the issues between you and your horse? Unless you know what needs fixed how can you know how to fix it?

Instead of spending the money on a clinic would that same money not be better spent on a one on one session with someone local who can help both you and your horse?

[MeNecie]

oh... no... I'm not just talking about one issue. I'm actually doing pretty well with any little snag I've faced.
I've been impressed with his method for a while now. And I'm looking into becoming a certified trainer. So I was really looking at more of the certified aspect of it.
and wondering if anyone had any experience in his clinics.

[Blistering Winds]

Do you want just Good opinions or do you want all opinions?

[MeNecie]

all opinions please.
But im not really interested in second hand knowledge.
CLEAR CUT FACTS!!!
but I'm open to pro or con

[Bella]

I've never been to one of his clinics, but I've watched video's and read books done by him, and I love his methods. He's one of my favorite trainers, hands down. I would give anything to attend one of his clinics.

Originally Posted by Haas Horse Farm

Yep regardless of the trainer or the method it is only useful if you can actually use it. Have you determined the issues between you and your horse? Unless you know what needs fixed how can you know how to fix it?

The methods of any trainer, Monty Roberts or other, aren't just for fixing issues. They are for preventing them and for creating a well established bond and firm training foundations within your horse. Yes, they are very useful for fixing things that have gone wrong. In all honesty, I think basic work such as join-up is useful on any horse, whether there is already an issue or not.

-Bella

[Amber.Molly]

I went to a monty robert's clinic when I was probably 12 or 13... it was good. Not amazing. but good I used his 'join up' on my mare and I absolutely loved it, made a world of difference... however, a lot of the big name trainers use the same method, so I don't think it was HIS method that worked, but THE method that worked They're interesting to watch regardless of who is doing them, and then you can take what you want from them.

[HUS_WP_lovr]

I have never been to one but my older gelding was his demonstrating horse back in 02" and he was actually the first one to back him.(this was before I bought him)

[hjackma51982]

I went to a clinic some years ago (like about 10 I think). I was not particularly impressed. Just a couple of the comments that he made really turned me off.

Like the single worst piece of horsemanship he has ever seen is single line lunging as it does not put a horse on a correct bend. Well, free lunging does not guarantee a correct bend either and after watching both of the horses he worked on an incorrect bend. Not impressed.

The other thing that struck me is his belief that one should never under any circumstances strike a horse. I am of the personal belief that there are certain behaviors in horses that are strictly aggressive behaviors and should be reprimanded as such.

Over all, while the clinic was interesting, I was not particularly impressed. To me it came across as a fair bit of "Buy my product so you can do this too". Again this has been some years ago, so there may have been changes since then, theses are just my impressions.

[kellidahorsegirl]

I went to his clinic when I was in high school. This was before everyone started hating on him
I thought he did a good job...but essentially was like all the other horse trainers out there.

The thing is...I took home what knowledge I could use on my own horses and threw the rest away Thats the joy of being free-willed.