The Queen of England Is an Incredible Corgi Whisperer, Says Royal Cowboy

A Stetson-wearing cowboy from California and an animal-loving queen cross paths in the late 80s thanks to his prodigious reputation as a full-on horse whisperer, a guy with the ability to tame wild horses with words and gestures. It sounds like an a movie because, yeah, it is, but it also happens to be one of those flicks based on real life.

Monty Roberts — could he have any other name? — was first invited to Windsor Palace by the Queen of England in 1989 after she heard about his talents with horses. He’s remained at her behest ever since, taking care of the Royal horses, ponies, and (yes!) corgis.

The Daily Mail published an excellent profile of Roberts over the weekend. Roberts’ skills with horses are phenomenal, and it’s admirable how he parlayed his influence and advocacy of non-violent horse training techniques into a wealth of charity work in prisons.

But the most interesting tidbit from the profile is Roberts’ explanation of the Queen’s way with her famous corgis:

Monty says that the Queen keeps a sack of carrots in the tack room, but it seems they're not only for the horses. 'I sometimes help with the corgis but, let me tell you, she can do phenomenal things with those dogs. When she comes in from a ride, they line up for her in the Royal Mews and she feeds them carrots. They actually line up, even though some of them belong to other people – they're not all hers. 'I said, "Your Majesty, you must be soaking them in bacon grease – dogs don't eat carrots." And she said, "Watch this," and then she names them, Fred, Joe whatever. And they line up, bam, bam, bam, bam, and she says, "Now, don't be rude now. Are you ready?" Then she feeds them in a line. One day, it might be four or six – one day my wife Pat saw ten.'

It’s truly a wonderful read for one of those afternoons when you need a smile. Sure, it’s obviously a glossy bit of puff, but it’s still fascinating to learn about the close relationship Roberts has with the Queen. And there’s nothing cooler than the revelation that the Queen’s corgi whispering abilities are giving the Horse Whisperer himself a run for his money.

Follow Derek Mead on Twitter: @drderekmead.

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