The equestrian world has paid tribute to legendary horseman Monty Roberts, who has passed away aged 91.The revolutionary natural horsemanship advocate influenced countless equestrians and changed the way horses are backed and trained across the globe.Monty died on Friday (31 July) surrounded by his family. He had been married to his wife Pat for 70 years and they had three children, Debbie, Marty and Laurel. In addition to their own children, Monty and Pat also fostered 47 children at their California farm over the years.His daughter Debbie paid tribute to her father.For the world, he was known as the man who listens to horses, she said. To me, he was simply Dad, a man of extraordinary kindness, unwavering integrity, and an unshakable belief that trust could accomplish what force never could.For more than eight decades, he dedicated his life to changing the way people understand and work with horses. His mission reached far beyond horsemanship. He believed that true leadership is built on communication, patience, empathy, and respect; lessons that have touched the lives of countless people around the world.Debbie thanked all those who have supported Monty and their family.We are deeply grateful for the love, friendship, and support you have shown him throughout his remarkable life, she continued. Together, you became part of a worldwide community united by a common belief that both horses and people thrive when they are treated with kindness and understanding.While our hearts are broken, we also find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on every time someone chooses compassion over force, listens before asking, and seeks a better partnership with their horse.Debbie vowed to continue Montys work in his memory.That responsibility is one I accept with humility, gratitude, and determination, she added. Together with our family and our dedicated team, we remain committed to preserving and sharing the philosophy that meant everything to him.One of the most meaningful ways to honour and continue Montys legacy is to learn the gentle methods he devoted his life to teaching.He touched so manyKelly Marks, who brought Montys horsemanship methods to the UK and founded Intelligent Horsemanship, paid tribute to her her extraordinary friend.Deepest condolences to Pat and Debbie and all his family and those around him in California, she said. Love and sympathy to those of you in the UK and around the world whose lives he touched. I know there are many of you.Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) also paid their respects to Monty, who helped shape the show into what it is today. Montys legacy will live on through the countless people he inspired and the horses whose lives were changed through his work, they said. We are honoured that he was part of the Horse of the Year Show story, and we will always treasure his friendship and support.Equine trainer Jason Webb said Monty revolutionised the industry and became a household name.When I first came to the UK, I managed to catch a couple of his demos, and then met him on a panel at Your Horse Live, he said. He was very generous with his time and knowledge, and was an incredibly engaging speaker who seemed to get humans just as much as he understood horses.Montys Join-Up methodWhen Monty was a teenager in the early 1950s, he grew up studying the behaviour of the wild Mustangs he lived alongside in the USA. This led to the development of his world-famous Join-Up method as an alternative to the violence that was traditionally associated with the breaking-in process.Join-Up creates a safe, co-operative environment in which a horse can progress and develop. It works on the premise that horses learn not through fear and intimidation, but through mutual respect and body language.Working in a round pen, Join-Up starts with the natural horsemanship trainer making large movements and noise, as a predator would, driving the horse to run away.They then adopt a more passive body language, turning their back on the horse with no eye contact. This invites the horse to come close and Join-Up, with them willingly choosing to be with the handler.As Monty explained, his methods focus on communion with the horse, rather than domination.For centuries, humans have said to horses, You do what I tell you or Ill hurt you. Im saying that no one has the right to say you must to an animal or to another human, he said.Lead image by ShutterstockRelated contentLearn to listen and understand horse behaviour6 things you need to know about horse communicationWhat is liberty training?Age-appropriate training: when do horses physically mature?Groundwork for horses: build trust in each other and grow in confidenceThe post The Man Who Listened to Horses: Tributes paid to extraordinary Monty Roberts, who has died aged 91 appeared first on Your Horse.