What advantage does a horse have trained by parelli regime v traditional training
- Thread starter AdorableAlice
- Start date
NativePonyLover
Well-Known Member
I must admit. I’ve not read all 6 pages – but I do ‘do’ Parelli. I never wanted to, but it seems I do. One of my biggest bug bears is that because I’m a person that does Parelli, I must either be part of a cult and/or a mission to get everyone to swap to a NH style rope halter, buy a long rope and wiggle it about. Neither could be further from the truth – partly, because I’m very much a ‘live and let live’ person and partly, because in between the horse, a full time job and a life otuside horses I don’t actually have a great deal of time or energy to actually care what someone else does with their horse ... !
I got into it in a very round about way – it turns out my ‘green but good’ pony wasn’t quite as advertised. To cut a long story short, I found out he has been through a largely Monty Roberts/Kelly Marks based training system – but was sharp and complicated, so get sent away for further ‘IH’ re-backing. Somewhere along the way, he was placed with other ‘traditional’ (but kind) trainers and he put his previous owner and one trainer in hospital with fairly serious injuries.
I’m not blaming anyone here – I’ve learnt a lesson and I was niave buying him. Looking back, I should have picked up on a few things much sooner – but I didn’t and having had him a while, despite our difficulties I did adore him and wanted to work through his problems.
I myself have been through a few trainers – a BHSI, a Kelly Marks Reccomended Associate and two classically based dressage trainers. All are very good and would recommend to people if asked. However, all agreed that he had some ‘issues’ – he could be brilliant one day and seemingly go ten steps back the next for no rhyme or reason to the point of verging on dangerous. I’m not the bravest – but I had professinals ride him that were and they struggled. He seemed to ‘shut down’ mentally and seemed to resent doing anything – frequently being described as ‘stubborn’ and an ‘ASBO’. He had physical checks – teeth, saddle fitters, chiro’s, physio’s , magnotherapy, aromatherapy .... you name it, we tried it at great cost! But none of the cost would have mattered if it made a difference and helped my pony become happier.
Oddly enough, I actually bumped into one of the above instructors last weekend – who admitted in over 20 years of teaching, he was one of the few horses they at times had no idea what to do with. He’s not even a typical quirky type – he’s a native pony who was bought to just be a pleasure horse after the trauma of loosing my previous horse.
Out of desperation, I tried Parelli – figuring, I didn’t have much to lose. And I’m glad I did – it has literally changed my horse from being ‘stubborn’ , ‘difficult’, ‘willful’ ‘resentful’ to a horse that actually wants to work and we have fun together at the same time as finally making progress, that seems to so far, be solid. He has actually gone from seeing his tack and hiding at the back of his stable and kicking or refusing to be caught – to trying to put his head in his halter when he see’s it.
For me the ‘horsenality’ has opened my eyes to helping me read my horse. I am very much aware that you have to treat and react to what you have in front of you & this is something my instructor has drilled into me every lesson – but it has helped me to interpret the smallest things I’ve previously not been taught to pick up on and helped me understand why he might react or be prone to reacting like he does.
I have regular lessons and although given homework, we always progress to keep him occupied (we also do other stuff with it including some pole work, jumping etc) – eventually I’d love to do be in a position to do some dressage as well as happy hacking. But for now, I’m just glad my pony is happy – and other ‘non Parelli’ people have commented on the change in him, a few didn’t even realise I was trying Parelli and see me regularly!
I’m not really sure if I’ve changed, or if my pony has – or if it is a combination of both. But Parelli has been the tunring point. Like any method, it has it pitfalls I’m sure and is Parelli the be all and all? No. Is is it the only way? No, of course not. If people want to do other stuff, then of course they can and I wish them well – but I’m glad I took the chance on it. I’m not really bothered about the levels or anything – I just want to have fun with my pony. And so far, Parelli has allowed that to happen.
ETA: He is routinely handled by non-Parelli people and no one has experienced any problems with him. In fact, my YM thinks his manners have improved - to be fair, that wasn't necessarily difficult!
I got into it in a very round about way – it turns out my ‘green but good’ pony wasn’t quite as advertised. To cut a long story short, I found out he has been through a largely Monty Roberts/Kelly Marks based training system – but was sharp and complicated, so get sent away for further ‘IH’ re-backing. Somewhere along the way, he was placed with other ‘traditional’ (but kind) trainers and he put his previous owner and one trainer in hospital with fairly serious injuries.
I’m not blaming anyone here – I’ve learnt a lesson and I was niave buying him. Looking back, I should have picked up on a few things much sooner – but I didn’t and having had him a while, despite our difficulties I did adore him and wanted to work through his problems.
I myself have been through a few trainers – a BHSI, a Kelly Marks Reccomended Associate and two classically based dressage trainers. All are very good and would recommend to people if asked. However, all agreed that he had some ‘issues’ – he could be brilliant one day and seemingly go ten steps back the next for no rhyme or reason to the point of verging on dangerous. I’m not the bravest – but I had professinals ride him that were and they struggled. He seemed to ‘shut down’ mentally and seemed to resent doing anything – frequently being described as ‘stubborn’ and an ‘ASBO’. He had physical checks – teeth, saddle fitters, chiro’s, physio’s , magnotherapy, aromatherapy .... you name it, we tried it at great cost! But none of the cost would have mattered if it made a difference and helped my pony become happier.
Oddly enough, I actually bumped into one of the above instructors last weekend – who admitted in over 20 years of teaching, he was one of the few horses they at times had no idea what to do with. He’s not even a typical quirky type – he’s a native pony who was bought to just be a pleasure horse after the trauma of loosing my previous horse.
Out of desperation, I tried Parelli – figuring, I didn’t have much to lose. And I’m glad I did – it has literally changed my horse from being ‘stubborn’ , ‘difficult’, ‘willful’ ‘resentful’ to a horse that actually wants to work and we have fun together at the same time as finally making progress, that seems to so far, be solid. He has actually gone from seeing his tack and hiding at the back of his stable and kicking or refusing to be caught – to trying to put his head in his halter when he see’s it.
For me the ‘horsenality’ has opened my eyes to helping me read my horse. I am very much aware that you have to treat and react to what you have in front of you & this is something my instructor has drilled into me every lesson – but it has helped me to interpret the smallest things I’ve previously not been taught to pick up on and helped me understand why he might react or be prone to reacting like he does.
I have regular lessons and although given homework, we always progress to keep him occupied (we also do other stuff with it including some pole work, jumping etc) – eventually I’d love to do be in a position to do some dressage as well as happy hacking. But for now, I’m just glad my pony is happy – and other ‘non Parelli’ people have commented on the change in him, a few didn’t even realise I was trying Parelli and see me regularly!
I’m not really sure if I’ve changed, or if my pony has – or if it is a combination of both. But Parelli has been the tunring point. Like any method, it has it pitfalls I’m sure and is Parelli the be all and all? No. Is is it the only way? No, of course not. If people want to do other stuff, then of course they can and I wish them well – but I’m glad I took the chance on it. I’m not really bothered about the levels or anything – I just want to have fun with my pony. And so far, Parelli has allowed that to happen.
ETA: He is routinely handled by non-Parelli people and no one has experienced any problems with him. In fact, my YM thinks his manners have improved - to be fair, that wasn't necessarily difficult!
Last edited:
marvie
Well-Known Member
What i have always been curious about is if a youngster is brought up with Parelli methods, if then foreced to be sold does what will it do to that horse going to a home that perhaps doesn't do parelli methods ?
* Not after an argument simply curious*
I have had the pleasure of trying to retrain one for the past 8 months. Funnily enough he was gifted to us. We don't own a carrot stick and i prefer not to have to poke a horse with a schooling whip to get him to move for me, stand for the farrier, be groomed, back off the stable door etc etc. Finally 8 months on he responds to voice and a guiding hand, doesnt try to bully and is eager to please, next will be the rebacking (gulp). It has been a long frustrating process to get him to the point that i would like to see a 6 month old weanling at. I would never ever buy a youngster who had been brought up using parelli methods.
Zargon_91
Well-Known Member
This. Mine was 'professionally' backed and broken using pirelli and it has ruined him. He is only just coming right after over a year of owning him. He was over sensitive, massively headshy and useless off all ridden aids.
FinnishLapphund
There's no cow on the ice
Glad to hear that you've found something that works for you and your horse, sounds like you're doing a good job at keeping you and your horse on the golden mean.
Personally I'm not saying that all Parelli followers have to be barking up the wrong tree, however, the majority of the Parelli followers that I know of acts as if they're barking up the wrong tree, and I feel that the way the Parellis is running their business, encourages/attracts people likely to display such behaviour.
tallyho!
Following a strict mediterranean diet...
Skib
Well-Known Member
I dont adhere to it either -but I love your mule.
And it isnt just about the animals. A few Parelli influenced lessons can work wonders, making children safer and more competent handling ponies from the ground. I was gob smacked to see grand daughter riding like you jinglejoys -single rope, rope headcollar and bareback with it.
Kids from horsey families may be taught all this in the conventional manner but her BHS style lessons on the yard never produced such radiant happiness. And I doubt it did the pony any harm.
cptrayes
Well-Known Member
This was standard when I was a child, long before the Parelli marketing machine came on the scene.
MotherOfChickens
MotherDucker
well quite, how else were you supposed to get them in from the field lol!
unicorndreams
Well-Known Member
.....
Have you noticed the words they use to categorise their different horsenalities? Horsenalitychart. Is it just me that thinks that there is only a few positive words here and there, but the majority is quite negative?
.....
Yep - I really struggled with assessing my mare when I first got her because she wasn't negative! However I did have a trainer to help me who described the positive alternatives to the 'characteristics' which helped. So it struck me that the horsenalities start from the point of assuming you have a problem horse - and lets face it many people turn to Parelli for exactly that reason (or I should more rightly say because they are having problems with their horse - it could be the rider/handler, the horse or a combination of!)
It seems that too many people are following the methods are not really developing an understanding and feel then using it as an excuse for poor manners/behaviour. That is not what Parelli teaches - its supposed to be about mutual respect but I think the message has become lost in all the games and patterns they promote now.
Lets face it, no matter how good we try to be, we will never fool a horse into thinking we are one of them by the way we handle and ride them - that doesn't excuse us from trying to be better, more understanding owners but neither does it excuse a horse biting, kicking or barging us. Respect is a two way thing and must be earned
Footprint
Well-Known Member
I always use a rope halter on my girl. It's great taking inspiration from different horsemen, I've read a lot on buck, max and Kelly, monty, even rick Gore's website 'thinklikeahorse has opened my eyes to somethings, but I wouldn't expect to follow every method with no flexibility, the horse of course is by far the best teacher. Great to discover something that works but relying on one method and as well as misunderstanding it as we know can easily ruin a horse if done by someone inexperienced but 'buying' into the notion that they can become a horse trainer as they have the 'secrets' in the DVDs etc. it takes dedication and insight to be able to 'read' horses, they are all v different. I'm on my own journey with my youngster, I've made some mistakes but I've learnt how to correct them by listening to my horse and being flexible.
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
This is an inspirational statement and very wise words.
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
If riding bareback or in headcollars is a parelli thing, I must secretly be into parelli. My daughter must have taken a course without me knowing, given she plays games with her pony all the time. That's the only explanation, I'm sure only a parelli trained kid would put dolls on their ponys back, or play football with/near it, or play tig, or get the pony to follow them into playhouses, doorways, go for picnics, take them round bizarre child made obstacle courses, do silly stuff bareback in just a headcollar etc. It's not like kids with ponies have done that type of stuff for donkeys years before parelli came along. Oh wait, they have.
YasandCrystal
Well-Known Member
Ditto
Footprint
Well-Known Member
Thanks AA, it read a bit more jumbled than in my head but glad you understood it! x
StoptheCavalry
Well-Known Member
I too now use a rope halter on my boy but mainly because occasionally he gets distracted and goes wandering and if this occurs in the rope halter I have more control. Strangely he hasn't actually tried to go "wandering" since the rope halter has been on
Nitro mouse
Well-Known Member
Once upon a time, a rope halter was all you had to work with.....
My problem with Parelli is its a money marketing machine, making money from people who in reality want to do the best for their horse. But all I have seen is a lot of confused bad mannered horses and scared owners, with very empty pockets.
My P experience was about two years after they became famous. A friend of mine told me about it and how a few on her yard had got into it and she was interested in learning more. She and her horse had had a terrible accident which had totally shattered both their confidence and she was looking for something to help them both. I agreed to go out of curiosity, we paid a small fortune (60 70 quid about nine ish years ago.). For a one day clinic.
Part one, lasted half an hour of six riders doing advanced dressage moves on horses without bridles and saddles. Yup that was impressive I was intrigued. They finished and we were told over the tannoy that there would be a break for an hour....
One of the P's appeared after the hour break and for 30 mins did western style stuff on a head collar, plus a few other tricks.... Not one word of mention of how such feats were achieved. I was starting to get a wee bit annoyed, then the announcement over the tannoy was two hour break for lunch. Then a top name dressage rider was going to do a demo. (getting that seriously ripped off feeling at this point). Yet more time to wander around the shops. Basic starting kit 500 quid......you gotta be kidding me!!
Afternoon session was two hours of traditional German dressage riding. Then that was it. Home time... I was FURIOUS..
Oh and btw, until he gets bored. I can ride J bitless, I can ride J without reins and saddle..... All it took was a bit of common sense and a leap of faith in my horse. Not expensive rocket science....but I know my horse, yes he can do it, he enjoyed the learning process too. BUT, he is bright and when he reaches his boredom threshold. Off he toddles to the school doors and plants his feet....
My problem with Parelli is its a money marketing machine, making money from people who in reality want to do the best for their horse. But all I have seen is a lot of confused bad mannered horses and scared owners, with very empty pockets.
My P experience was about two years after they became famous. A friend of mine told me about it and how a few on her yard had got into it and she was interested in learning more. She and her horse had had a terrible accident which had totally shattered both their confidence and she was looking for something to help them both. I agreed to go out of curiosity, we paid a small fortune (60 70 quid about nine ish years ago.). For a one day clinic.
Part one, lasted half an hour of six riders doing advanced dressage moves on horses without bridles and saddles. Yup that was impressive I was intrigued. They finished and we were told over the tannoy that there would be a break for an hour....
One of the P's appeared after the hour break and for 30 mins did western style stuff on a head collar, plus a few other tricks.... Not one word of mention of how such feats were achieved. I was starting to get a wee bit annoyed, then the announcement over the tannoy was two hour break for lunch. Then a top name dressage rider was going to do a demo. (getting that seriously ripped off feeling at this point). Yet more time to wander around the shops. Basic starting kit 500 quid......you gotta be kidding me!!
Afternoon session was two hours of traditional German dressage riding. Then that was it. Home time... I was FURIOUS..
Oh and btw, until he gets bored. I can ride J bitless, I can ride J without reins and saddle..... All it took was a bit of common sense and a leap of faith in my horse. Not expensive rocket science....but I know my horse, yes he can do it, he enjoyed the learning process too. BUT, he is bright and when he reaches his boredom threshold. Off he toddles to the school doors and plants his feet....
Aarrghimpossiblepony
Well-Known Member
OK, this might sound dumb, but what's a Parelli "carrot stick"?
Looked it up (lots of sites)and it just looks like a whip, where does the carrot go?
Thought this thread might be the best place to get an answer.
Looked it up (lots of sites)and it just looks like a whip, where does the carrot go?
Thought this thread might be the best place to get an answer.
Footprint
Well-Known Member
I've always used a rope halter since my filly was 11 months, as I taught her to give to pressure v early on I've never had to apply much pressure at all, if i did she'd need more basic training! I've found it v effective when she's been on her toes and getting a bit too forward, she'll soon relax, nothing worse than hanging onto a horses head that has learnt to pull ahead.
sandi_84
Well-Known Member
D'ya know I say each to their own an all that BUT my aunt does parelli with her youngster and he's desensitised to a lot of weird and wonderful things BUT I do think they take the utter p**s by charging the prices they do for their magic stick and ball type things! My aunt bought the ball and it cost a fortune, it's one of those exercise ball thingmajigs... you can get them in Aldi/Lidl/Tesco for less than a tenner so you are just paying for a brand I think
I've heard some not particularly nice things about the Parelli's and how they treat or have treated horses in the past and some of their dogma sounds a bit self-contradictory for eg. the thread that was posted a while back about Parelli looking down on people who wore hard hats because it showed a lack of trust in their horse etc etc (or some such duff to that effect anyway) and then went on to try selling their own branded hard hat! Cheeky methinks!
However I have also heard of people who do Parelli with their horses (although admittidly not by always following to the letter the Parelli prescribed course of action) who have turned out with some lovely horses....
Think it's a bit marmite really but I have read a lot of comments on here about people who wouldn't touch a Parelli "trained" horse with an 18 foot carrot stick 
I've heard some not particularly nice things about the Parelli's and how they treat or have treated horses in the past and some of their dogma sounds a bit self-contradictory for eg. the thread that was posted a while back about Parelli looking down on people who wore hard hats because it showed a lack of trust in their horse etc etc (or some such duff to that effect anyway) and then went on to try selling their own branded hard hat! Cheeky methinks!
However I have also heard of people who do Parelli with their horses (although admittidly not by always following to the letter the Parelli prescribed course of action) who have turned out with some lovely horses....
Think it's a bit marmite really
but I have read a lot of comments on here about people who wouldn't touch a Parelli "trained" horse with an 18 foot carrot stick
sandi_84
Well-Known Member
OK, this might sound dumb, but what's a Parelli "carrot stick"?
Looked it up (lots of sites)and it just looks like a whip, where does the carrot go?
Thought this thread might be the best place to get an answer.
Yup that's basically what it is only they've painted it orange and charge you an arm and a leg for the pleasure of owning it
unbalanced
Well-Known Member
Can't quote because I'm on my phone but a carrot stick is like a Parelli version of a schooling whip - for communication. It is stiff and inflexible though not bendy like a whip as you use them differently eg you might push your horse with the end of your stick to get it to move away so you need to have the same feel in both ends. It used to be only made in orange so they called it a carrot stick - neither to be used for reward or punishment, not the carrot or the stick, but for communication, about being middle of the road. However now you can get them in loads of colours.
lastchancer
Well-Known Member
That is a very well reasoned, and carefully thought out response PaleRider.
Now, how about you take your condescending, sexist opinions and your poor language - and go back to the cave you crawled out of. Try not to scrape your knuckles on the floor as you go.
sandi_84
Well-Known Member
Well I never!
P.s you might find that the OP was just asking for info as she didn't really know about it. On a forum you get differences of opinion dont'cher know?!
This ^ made me LOL!
ellie11987
Well-Known Member
Ahhh, I was waiting for you to chime in with your tosh.
ellie11987
Well-Known Member
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Classic, I was wondering how long it would take.
Contructive, intelligent, well balanced criticism from highly experienced and well trained (in whatever field), educated people should be and is always appreciated.
Your comments confirm that you fit none of the above descriptions and I sincerely hope you can dislodge your carrot stick which is evidently stuck, sideways, where the monkey puts his nuts and the sun does not shine.
Arizahn
Well-Known Member
My husband swears by talking to them: animals I mean, not the Parellis. As far as I know he has never heard of Parelli. What annoys me is that it always works for him!* I really don't know how he does it, it's presumably a mutant ability. Jammy so and so was happily cantering on his second ever lesson, and was the person all the other liveries went to whenever their horse was acting up, as he just seems to have a naturally calming effect on animals. This was first discovered when the 17hh yard thug was refusing to stand to be clipped and my husband "felt sorry for him". So he stood there and started chatting to this huge, very agitated horse, telling it that the clippers were harmless, etc. And the horse just stared down at him. And then it put its head down and rested it against his chest and just sighed, and that was that: problem solved! And so it went on, husband merrily chatting away to random horses, horses (probably bemused by it) settling down immediately. It even worked on the Shetland pony and its habit of biting anyone within reach.
I should really market him, come to think of it...he's rather useful!
*Disclaimer: husband's soothing voice fails to operate on Lhasa Apsos, which he lives in terror of encountering! All Lhasa Apsos hate him on sight, as in want to eat him alive level of hatred
I should really market him, come to think of it...he's rather useful!
*Disclaimer: husband's soothing voice fails to operate on Lhasa Apsos, which he lives in terror of encountering! All Lhasa Apsos hate him on sight, as in want to eat him alive level of hatred
Aarrghimpossiblepony
Well-Known Member
Yup that's basically what it is only they've painted it orange and charge you an arm and a leg for the pleasure of owning it
Thank You.
I initially thought it was a modern version of one of those sticks you hang a carrot off in front of the horse/donkey.
That would make more sense TBH.
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
Pale Rider - just can't help himself can he!?
Has he been given a holiday?
Has he been given a holiday?