At seven years old, Monty Roberts already suspected there was a better way to train horses. Since he was a child, Roberts had watched cowboys train their animals with whips, punishment, and force. However, he also observed how horses communicated with each other in a specific language of postures and movements. So he imagined that if trainers learned to read their language, the horses would cooperate much more willingly and more easily. He was right.

Ahora el método Roberts, es conocido como Horse Whispering or whisper to the horse and famous for achieving in 30 minutes what traditional trainers take three weeks of brutal training. It is astonishing to see Roberts stand face to face with a rebellious and difficult horse, and coax it through whispers and caresses to enter an arena that the animal refuses, for example, and in minutes transform it into a docile and obedient steed; when eight men had already pulled and pushed by force, without any success. Or, in half an hour get a horse to accept a saddle, when it has never been put on.

How much we could learn from his technique! This method, so successfully applied to horses, can motivate or inspire us to apply it in different areas of our lives. Primarily with our children, our partners, and, why not, with ourselves.

“No one has the right to tell you, ‘You have to do this, or I’ll hurt you,’” Roberts says. And for 8,000 years, that’s precisely what the horse has been told, and unfortunately, many women, and minors as well. When someone is afraid of another person, whether it’s an animal or a person, it gives them enormous power. Deep down, we know it’s a matter of great personal insecurity. The oppressor thinks, “Since I don’t have any other, smarter resources, any other tools, I resort to fear and violence.”

Violence is never the way

I wish this phrase would be tattooed on our dads, teachers, bosses, leaders, corporate executives, sports coaches, and so on. How much more we would all achieve with gentler approaches and smarter alternatives.

La técnica Horse Whispering It's based on principles of communication, replacing fear with trust, and transmitting peace and tranquility to the animal. And the changes are astonishing. Roberts' philosophy boils down to the idea that violence is never the way. Will we ever be able to understand this? Can you imagine, dear reader, if no form of violence were ever used in the heart of every family? What example would our families see? How the environment would change in their schools, in society, and in the country! Changes that in the future would be reflected in a person's self-esteem, their productivity, and their relationships.

The central concept is the idea that humans and some animals, including horses, are social beings. We need people and enjoy being with others. When Monty confronts a rebellious horse, he seeks to reinforce positive behavior with a reward and negative behavior with negative consequences. This way, he modifies the horse's behavior. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we parents did the same with our teenagers?

Since childhood, we all desire to please, however, we can often receive contradictory messages and become resentful due to poor treatment. However, with praise, love, caresses, and whispers, we all flourish. Whisper, don't punish...