It seems that many of Monty Roberts' claims about his experiences are flights of fancy. See the following sources for more information:

The book 'Horse Whispers & Lies' online at www.horsewhispersandlies.com; the Feb. 1999 issue of Horse & Rider magazine's article, 'Horse Whispers or Horse Feathers?'; San Francisco Examiner Article: 'BIOGRAPHY CALLED UNBRIDLED FICTION' January 11, 1997; "Horse of a Different Color" by John Skow & James Willwerth, Time Magazine Dec. 14, 1998; "Now! Read the True (More or Less) Story!" Tuesday, February 24, 1998 The New York Times; and "A Peddler of Court Gossip May Pay the Piper" by Jonathon Turley.

In Monty's autobiography, he of his horse Dually, "Dually was a cull from the Greg Ward Ranch, a throw-away horse whom no one would buy."

I looked up Dually's AQHA show and ownership records:

Dually (PEPINICS DUALLY),
AQHA ownership records show as dates of sale:
CURRENT OWNER : MONTY AND PAT ROBERTS SOLVANG, CA 01/09/1995
2ND PREV OWNER : GREG AND/OR LAURA WARD TULARE, CA 03/01/1994
It should be noted that Greg Ward (deceased) is known as one of the greatest Reined Cowhorse trainers of all time.

AQHA performance records for Dually show:
NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 6,295.51 Earned thru 01/01/1994
NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION $ 5,404.18 Earned thru 11/02/1995
Apparently, this unwanted, undesirable horse had earned over $6000 before acquired by Monty.

Dually was a product not only of Greg Ward's training but also of his breeding program that has produced many world class money earners in NCHA, NRHA, NRCHA, and AQHA, descended from Greg Ward's great mare Fillinic.

Greg's taming and training of the hypersensitive Fillinic has become legendary.

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What is indisputable, however, is that Roberts is a talented horseman who has helped many people with their horse handling problems.

Monty Roberts is known to be a very competent horse trainer.

Unfortunately, it seems that many of his more grandiose claims and allegations in this 'autobiography' may be fabrications.

Horse & Rider magazine (Feb. 1999) and Time magazine and the San Francisco Examiner, and a book by his aunt and cousin (Horse Whispers & Lies) all offer opposing views with regard to Monty Roberts's autobiography.

Most important to note is that Monty Roberts's father, Marvin Roberts, was actually a very kind and humane man, and that rather than having been battered, it appears possible that Monty Roberts may have been spoiled and indulged.

Nowadays, in addition to giving round penning demonstrations and selling videos and halters, Monty Roberts is also globe-trotting as a motivational speaker and a child education expert.

It seems that the questions regarding his truthfulness have not been an obstacle to fame and fortune.

Look up a copy of Horse Whispers & Lies and have a librarian help you find the articles mentioned above and decide for yourself if you think Monty Roberts has led a life that is unquestioning worthy of emulation.