Monty Roberts, the American horse trainer renowned for his non-violent approach to working with horses, has died at the age of 91. Known as the “Real Horse Whisperer,” he is said to have inspired the Robert Redford movie and book of the same name.
His daughter Debbie announced his passing on Instagram, writing that he died on July 31, 2026, and paying an emotional tribute to her father.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my father, Monty Roberts, on July 31, 2026.”
“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.”
“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.”
A friendship with the Queen
Roberts first connected with Elizabeth II in 1989, when she had read with interest about his horse training approach. He was later invited to Windsor Castle to meet her, the late Queen Mother and Prince Philip.
What followed was a friendship that spanned until the late Queen’s death in September 2022. In an interview with the Mirror after her death, Roberts recalled long lunches with the monarch and said: “Our lunches together in her palaces were no longer pinch-me moments. I was part of her life, she was part of mine and I don’t think any one of us thought it was strange. My wife Pat and I stayed with her at Buckingham Palace for weeks at a time and she treated us like family.”
Book and royal honour
In 1996, Roberts said he followed royal orders when the Queen told him: “There must be a book – you have to take your work to the world.” His autobiography, The Man Who Listens to Horses, sold in 41 countries and was a best seller for 58 weeks.
The Queen clearly appreciated his work, making him a member of the Royal Victorian Order for his services in 2011. But Roberts told the Mirror the small gestures of friendship meant more to him than medals or gifts such as corkscrews saved from the Windsor Castle fire and a lead plaque stamped with the royal crest.
“Can you believe the Queen always took my phone calls? Only once I was told she couldn’t speak to me because she was with Northern Ireland’s politicians. Right then I heard, ‘Monty! What are you doing? I’m out of my meeting to talk to you’. I just about fell off my chair.”
Hearing the news of her death
Roberts also recalled how he was in a pen with horses on his Santa Ynez Valley farm when he was told of the late Queen’s death.
He said: “I was working with a very difficult horse. And I watched Pat and my daughter Debbie come together at the top of the fence looking sombre. I’d already heard the Queen was under constant care but said to myself, it’ll be OK – she’s gonna come through and she’ll be bouncing around again. But when I finished working with that horse, they said, ‘Brace yourself. The Queen has died’.”
“That moment will never be forgotten by this cowboy. A lot of important people are saying we have to let the Queen go. But I can’t let go.”
He added: “British people might find it hard to believe their Queen enjoyed being with a cowboy. But she did.”
