For centuries, humans have said to horses, 'You do what I tell you or I'll hurt you.' Humans still say that to each other -- still threaten, force and intimidate. I'm convinced that my discoveries with horses have value in the workplace, in the educational and penal systems, and in the raising of children. At heart, I'm saying that no one else has the right to say 'you must' to an animal -- or to another human.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of respect and understanding in relationships, rejecting intimidation and force as means of control.
Monty Roberts highlights the parallels between human-animal and human-human interactions, criticizing the use of threats and coercion to gain compliance. He advocates for a more compassionate approach, suggesting that true leadership and teaching should be rooted in mutual respect rather than fear, and acknowledges the broader implications of these ideas in various societal contexts.
In practice
During a team-building seminar, this quote can serve as a reminder to leaders about the importance of fostering a supportive and cooperative environment.
I had been riding horses before my memory kicked in, so my life with horses had no beginning. It simply appeared from the fog of infancy. I survived a difficult childhood by traveling on the backs of horses, and in adulthood the pattern didn't change.
A good trainer can hear a horse speak to him. A great trainer can hear him whisper.
You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.
Your word is the power that you have to create
Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.
There's something about taking the path of least resistance that makes a lot of sense. But at the same time, we have to figure out which things in life are worth struggling through.
The wise man looks back into the past, and does not grieve over what is far off, nor rejoice over what is near; for he knows that time is without end.
I'm at peace with myself. The main thing is not letting people dictate what I do or what I am.
It is much more difficult to measure non-performance than performance. Performance stands out like a ton of diamonds. Non-performance can almost always be explained away
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