Prodney’s Blog: Last week I received a letter from California
Marcel is Park Lane’s very own ‘horse-whisperer’, often uncannily accurate at reading what’s in my mind, even when I’m in a complex cognitive mood…
He’s a student of the famous Monty Roberts, who invented ‘Join Up’ to describe the connection between human and horse, and is known worldwide for techniques widely referred to as natural horsemanship. Monty is based in California, and Marcel recently visited to continue his studies and bring more skills right back to us here at Park Lane Stables.
Here is the letter Marcel sent me, which I thought you’d like to read too.
Hi Prodney,
Here’s one of Shy Boy’s friends whispering in my ear
Do you remember that last Sunday in April when I gave you your breakfast and asked you to wish me good luck because I was going to Monty Roberts’ farm in California to take the advanced exams? Well, I did it! I’m back and with homework to do. OMG, the best homework of my life! Now, I have to help young and ‘difficult’ (to us humans) horses in the UK as part of my learning development.
It was a very challenging week with two daily practical assessments, plus a final 4 hours of written exam and a project presentation. Luckily, the exams are over, and now I can just focus on preparing myself for a possible return to California. I’d love to be offered an internship to become an instructor. What a dream that would be!
My skills were tested by starting work with this gorgeous mustang
This was my third time there. Back in 2012 I went for the first two Introductory Courses, ‘Long lining’ and ‘Join up’. And I was hooked. Did I ever explain how I got into this? Well here’s how. When I started working with horses I was guilty of being a bossy human, demanding what I wanted, without pausing to understand you guys.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I realised there was a better way. I’d just been following the wrong advice, such as: ‘if the horse does not do it, correct them with the whip’, and ‘show the horse who’s boss’. But I loved horses, and didn’t enjoy being bossy. When I did a bit of research, I found something called natural horsemanship (yes, I know, nothing we ask of you horses is really natural for you). It taught me a lot. With a bit more understanding of how horses think, I found I could persuade rather than dominate to get what I wanted.
Obviously some horses are especially sophisticated. I wouldn’t claim to be able to read your fine mind, Prodney, but I am proud of our friendship.
Then I discovered a book written by some cowboy from the United States (Monty Roberts) showing that, YES IT IS POSSIBLE to have a fair partnership with horses. We can do a lot of things together without having to be bossy humans. Yes, we can teach you those cool things we like, but IN A WAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO IT TOO, without us forcing you to do it and, obviously, without violence. That is a million times better!
I can hear you, Prodney, at your wise age of 42, saying to me: ‘Come on, was that really hard to understand? We just need you paying attention and listening to us. We are always telling you things, and we’re willing to do things with you, but you people do not listen!’.
As always, you’re right. It just takes us humans a while to realise what’s under our noses. Once the penny dropped, I just wanted to learn more and more, listening to you and your friends and learning from you. With a lot of fabulous guidance from the amazing human that is Monty Roberts.
Marcel Olivé
Prodney is Chief Equine Officer (CEO) at Park Lane Stables, and achieved celebrity status following the TV coverage in 2021.
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