Outside the Box

[Caol Ila]

Monty didn't develop the technique - he just boxed it up and sold it to the wider horse-owning public (along with the Parellis, John Lyons, and a few other people). It has been around for a lot longer than Monty. You're right in that it came from breaking in mustangs, and Monty et. al were right in that it was indeed more humane than other methods - if you were taming rank horses. Join-up was marketed as a gentle, natural way to work with any horse, which it isn't. But if you need to gentle a wild horse relatively quickly, it's better than tressing them up and letting then buck until they are too exhausted to fight.

 

[ihatework]

Quick thoughts as haven’t had time to really read through.

1. you are seeing some holes appear when he is in a situation out of his comfort zone. The holes need to be filled. These are essentially his responses to your ridden aids. I’d go back a couple of steps and make sure these are clearly reinforced. BUT not in the indoor school (yet).

2. don’t avoid the indoor school but equally take the pressure off in there for the short term. In hand work only. Build him up to being comfortable in all areas.