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Rating: 
Summary: Really wonderful proof of kind training methods
Review: "Shy Boy" is both a heart warming story and an entertaining look at the newer methods of horse training work. Mustangs have been legendary for their iron wills and intelligence and the difficulty many people experience when they try to "break" them. This story is especially interesting because instead of fighting against the animal, the training process partners with him, letting him stay in his own comfort level; the horse has the choice to learn or leave. You can almost see the gears grinding inside Shy boy's head as he makes decisions about what to do. I really enjoyed this book both as a story and as a tool; I'll remember Monty Roberts and Shy Boy the next time I come across a wild or difficult animal. Very recommended for the equine-minded.
Rating: 
Summary: A compelling story with beautiful pictures
Review: Although I knew a bit about Roberts, I had not read his previous book. I bought this book because of the photography and my own admiration for horses. I had seen the PBS documentary that is the setting for much of the book and found it fascinating; thought it might be interesting to learn more details of the "gentling" of Shy Boy. I didn't know what I was about to experience.I have never read a book more quickly. I couldn't put it down and finished it in about 24 hours (managing to show up for my job and get a few hours sleep during that time). It's not a long book, and it's half photos. Nevertheless, I think it's amazing that a slow reader such as myself would plow ahead. It was fascinating to discover how Roberts learned the body language that has helped him relate well to horses, the details of the documentary (not all exactly as they seemed on TV), and how the horse fared in "captivity." (I put captivity in quotes, because anyone who has read the book and paid attention should question if this horse felt held against his will once he got through his initial difficulties and fears related to humans.) I admire that Roberts gave those who questioned his decision to take Shy Boy in from the wild the answer to the question "What would be this horse's choice if offered life on the farm or 'freedom'?" (By the way, a freedom that stunted his growth, gave him parasites, and made him vulnerable to predators. I'll take a meal I don't have to hunt for and a warm bed any day!) For those who like a good tear-jerker, this can't be beat. Animal lovers will be in heaven. Those who don't know a thing about horses will love learning. Even those who abhore melodrama will have to admire Roberts's efforts to eliminate violence from the training and "breaking" of horses (and his recommendations for communication and non-violence in other life arenas). Only a heartless cynic with an axe to grind could deplore this book. And even if you are one, the pictures can't be beat! Epilogue: I went out and bought the first book and read it in 48 hours - and it doesn't have nearly as many pictures! (And in spite of the rumors about much of it being untrue, I've yet to find a reputable publication give hard evidence that adequately supports these rumors or one that paints Monty Roberts as a selfish man out for his own glory. How could a man who's helped 47 foster children possibly be?)
Rating:
Summary: Mustang Adoption Program Is Great
Review: I cannot believe the comments in the review titled "reader from Back from a visit to Monty's farm, May 18, 1999". The wild horse adoption program conducted here in Nevada is probably the best thing the Bureau of Land Management has ever accompolished. It makes homes rather than "chicken Feed" for those horses who are adopted. Thinning the herd also provides adequate feed and living conditions for those remaining in the wild. I enjoyed Monty's book and appreciate his method of "joining-up" with a horse. Anyone familiar with the traditional method of "breaking" a horse has to be impressed that there is a better way. Our family has had an adopted mustang (Shadow) for 25 years. He's retired now but still a member of the family. I have to believe that he has had a more enjoyable life with us than with the coyotes, mountain lions, hunters and overgrazing during the drought years. I know the mustang program intimately--I live here in Nevada. Obviously the person referenced doesn't. It frustrates me that someone good like Monty is fighting for mustangs and trying to change training methods so these horses can be treated well. "Shy Boy" is a "great read" for everyone. It is inspiring to learn of a method of training horses without violence and about eliminating violence in our lives.
Rating:
Summary: Touching story about the freedom to choose!
Review: I read Robert's first book and loved it so much. I had the copy of "The Man Who Listens To Horses" that included an extra chapter in the end talking about his experience with Shy BoY. Immediately I decided to read the latter.
The story in the book is very touching. I liked the idea to begin with. In the round pen, the horse has no where to go. But in the wild, the horse has a choice! Can you get a wild horse to trust you? It will take longer, it will be more difficult, and it would seem impossible. In the end.. it happened. That moment when a wild horse decides that you are worthy of his trust is so captivating.
What I loved the most is the fact that the horse was given a choice. "We'd love it if you stayed but we won't force you to do it". YOU ARE FREE.. The sense of freedom is what you feel when you see a wild horse galloping in the open land. And freedom was given to Shy Boy. We always think about it this way: Our horses love us, they want to stay, they enjoy life with us, and so on. But never before has anyone proved this. Not until Shy Boy chose to come back.
Shy Boy was Free in the wild and stayed free. A different form of freedom but nonetheless, FREE.
Still, looking at the book as a "book", there are some parts that did not completely interest me. There are parts, however few they where, where I thought: "next, please!". I kept in mind that Monty Roberts is, after all, a horse trainer, not a writer. The story is amazing, so when it is told, you are amazed. Other parts... well, think about them as if you were talking to a friend.
So in the end, if you just love horses, want to read anything about them, enjoy looking at their pictures, or love the concept of being free, Get the book. But if you want to know information about horses, how to ride or handle horses, and so on... The book is not the best for you, just stick to the first and other horse books.
Rating: 
Summary: SHOW OFF!
Review: In this book, noted California "horse whisperer" Monty Roberts chronicles how he uses his "Join Up" method of horse gentling on a mustang in the wild. Roberts relates how he began studying communication among horses as a young boy and eventually used that information to begin working with the animals. Roberts, along with photographer Christopher Dydyk, creates a beautiful chronicle of how the horse he calls Shy Boy comes to trust people and become a valuable part of ranch life. The climax of the story is when Roberts releases Shy Boy to the free-range herd where the horse had been living, to see how well the "Join Up" method has worked ... and Shy Boy comes home. This is a beautiful book for anyone who loves horses and believes that gentleness and understanding are the key to relating to both animals and humans.
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Summary: A TOUCHING READING
Review: The author of bestselling "The Man Who Listens To Horses"reprises his relationship with "Shy Boy," a wild mustang he acclimated.
In succinct yet powerful prose the author relates his first encounter with the horse during an exciting ride through the rugged Nevada desert. Well documented in a PBS series several years ago, Roberts' unique approach to gentling horses is a decidedly humane approach involving the imitation of an equine body language.
Eventually, Roberts offers his mustang a choice - does he want to be free again and run back to the wilderness? The answer to that questions will bring a tear to even the most jaundiced eye.
Rating:
Summary: Shy boy is worth every minute I spent reading it.
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's even better than Mr. Roberts's first book. I was incredibly moved by the story of Shy Boy, and I was inspired by Monty Roberts's overall message. What a great book! I couldn't wait to bring this book home and read it. I read it in one sitting and cried at the ending and then I thought about it all day. Monty Roberts is amazing--the story of Shy Boy is unforgettable. Read it! You won't be sorry! Animal lovers everywhere--not just horse lovers--will fall in love with this book. I didn't want it to end. What Monty Roberts can teach us is priceless. I loved this book.
Rating:
Summary: Found A Better Way
Review: Wow, I love this story. Anyone that saw the movie, the horse whisperer knows what it is all about. It is the real story about how this guy, Monty Roberts, learned to quiet a horse. The man was abused by his father when growing up and saw his father abuse his horses as well. This really bothered him and that was the start of him learning this special way of training a horse instead of doing it in an abusive way the way it had always been done. The man told his story to audiences and afterward people would open up to him about abuse in their own lives. He heard a lot of stories but one stood out in his mind. One man decided to stop abusing his family and he did just that.Diane
Rating:
Summary: Found A Better Way
Review: Wow, I love this story. Anyone that saw the movie, the horse whisperer knows what it is all about. It is the real story about how this guy, Monty Roberts, learned to quiet a horse. The man was abused by his father when growing up and saw his father abuse his horses as well. This really bothered him and that was the start of him learning this special way of training a horse instead of doing it in an abusive way the way it had always been done. The man told his story to audiences and afterward people would open up to him about abuse in their own lives. He heard a lot of stories but one stood out in his mind. One man decided to stop abusing his family and he did just that.Diane
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