COMPUTER SPEAK, OR "HORSE" SPEAK?

I've learned that wild mustang horses herd together for protection from predators. Since they are flight animals,it’s threatening for them to be alone. They're vulnerable when separated from the herd.

Years ago I saw Robert Redford’s movie, “The Horse Whisperer.” And about ten years ago the focus of that movie, horse gentler Monty Roberts, came to Elko to demonstrate his gentling technique.

He doesn’t “break” horses as cowboys used to; he communicates with them using their language and the young horse willingly accepts his dominance. At his demonstration, within 20-30 minutes each horse was gentle enough to accept a saddle and rider. It seemed miraculous.

A young man in the 50s, Roberts studied wild horse herds in the Nevada desert near Battle Mountain for days and gradually deciphered elements of language. Using the same movements he convinces the horse he, Roberts, is the Alpha head of the herd. Roberts calls this process “joining up,” since the horse comes to him of its free will to join up.

On the desert he saw dominant mares punish boisterous young stallions by forcing them out of the herd. The banished horses after a time asked the dominant mare if they could join the herd again. Roberts noticed specific motions of the horses when they asked. The dominant mare allowed them only when she determined they would behave.

Roberts talked about his gentling philosophy in the book, “The Man Who Listens To Horses,” from which the movie was taken. (By the way, Roberts didn't completely endorse Robert Redford's movie, "The Horse Whisperer." If you're interested, ask me why.)

I just found, though, at Powells Books another book Roberts has written about the wild horse he named Shy Boy!

He gentled the mustang (again from the Nevada desert), and Shy Boy became a fixture around his California ranch. The book has remarkable photographs and an uplifting story about Roberts’ dilemma: to keep Shy Boy on the ranch or return him to the wild.

I stumbled on this book and wanted to share it with readers. If you're fascinated with wild mustang horses as I am you'll want this book. It’s a gem!

P.S. It would make a great holiday gift! The link is with the other four books, already mentioned, from Powells Books. I'm always looking for great books and this one is special.

For books at Powell click here: http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/partner?partner_id=28913&html=ppbs/28913.html