Legendary “Horse Whisperer” Monty Roberts has been honoured privately by Queen Elizabeth II for his service to the Royal Family and to the racing establishment.

The American trainer, whose gentle techniques are based on the silent language of horses, was made an honorary Member of the Royal Victorian Order.

The Royal Victorian Order is given by the Queen to people who have served her or the monarchy in a personal way.  In 1989, the Queen Mother was reduced to tears after Roberts managed to tame her wildest horse.  Roberts has been involved with some aspects of the monarchy’s horses ever since.

Responding to the experience, Roberts said: “The ball is in my court now and it is my obligation to continue to earn the respect that my supporters have given me over this past 22 years since first meeting Her Majesty.”

In the early 1990s, Roberts toured England at the behest of the Queen to demonstrate his methods.  The novel The Horse Whisperer was published simultaneously with Monty’s autobiography The Man Who Listens to Horses and both became bestsellers.

Monty first learned to listen to horses while observing wild mustangs in Nevada at the age of 13.  Sent there to round up horses for the Salinas Rodeo Association’s Wild Horse Race, he spent hours silently watching the feral horses interact with each other.

Soon he realized that they used a discernable, effective and predictable body language to communicate, set boundaries, show fear and express annoyance, relaxation or affection.

In a moment that would change his life and the lives of horses and people forever, Roberts understood that utilizing this silent language would allow training to commence in a much more effective and humane manner, encouraging true partnership between horses and humans.

Later, he would name this moment of partnership “Join~Up” and it would become the foundation of all his work with horses and people.