The Santa Ynez Valley man known around the world as a horse whisperer for his gentle training techniques has died, leading to multiple remembrances about the huge impact Monty Roberts made across the equine community.  

Roberts, 91, died Friday, his daughter said on Sunday afternoon.

As word of his death spread around the world, people posted poignant and powerful messages on social media about the incredible impact Roberts made on their lives. 

Roberts touted a non-violent approach to training horses, teaching the techniques at his Flag is Up Farms off Highway 246 between Solvang and Buellton and carrying the lessons around the globe.

“For the world, he was known as the man who listens to horses. 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,” his daughter Debbie Roberts Loucks said in a social media post. 

“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.”

His death occurred weeks after he and his wife, Pat, plus daughter and son-in-law Tom Loucks attended the Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo in late June.

After growing up in Salinas, Roberts attended Cal Poly where he participated in the rodeo team, earning two national championships.

In 1966, Roberts founded Flag is Up Farms (now California Horse Center), with the property serving as the home for his efforts to convert others to his gentler way of training horses.

His statement “I believe violence isn’t the answer” sits at the heart of his life’s work to end forceful training and keep kindness at the core.

Along with his best-seller memoir, “The Man Who Listens to Horses,” he and his training techniques have been the focus of multiple documentaries including “The Cowboy and The Queen.” The film shares the story of Roberts’ decades-long friendship with Queen Elizabeth II, who became a quiet but powerful supporter of his humane training methods.

Even as he hit 90 years old last year, Roberts still traveled internationally to demonstrate his methods to a sold-out audience.

“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,” his daughter added. 

Over the years, the family created Monty Roberts International Learning Center at the Santa Ynez Valley property with other lessons offered overseas and even online via Monty Roberts Equus Online University. That has led to multiple instructors certified in his method of training horses.  

Roberts’ methods also have led to programs using horses to help humans healing from trauma.

The Horse Sense & Healing program is geared toward veterans and first responders dealing with post-traumatic stress. Launched in 2010, the three-day equine-assisted workshop employs Roberts’ Join-Up process and other ground-based horsemanship activities to help with healing.

“One of the most meaningful ways to honor and continue Monty’s legacy is to learn the gentle methods he devoted his life to teaching,” his daughter added.

Roberts is survived by his wife, Pat, whose sculptures typically featured horses, plus three children and three grandchildren.