What do you think about Parelli?

[myamigo]

Parelli would say that he can help anybody along the road but it helps if they're going in the same direction.

Following the Parelli methods is a way of learning in a short space of time all that Pat has taken decades to learn from other amazing horsemen. He never declares to be any type of God, merely somebody who has a superb ability to put what he has learnt into a language that anybody willing to have an open mind can take on board.

Is the equipment expensive compared to any other hobby? Every day I use the equipment I purchased three years ago and it is as good as new.

Take a look at the yearly work schedule that Pat and Linda manage. There is no way that they are sitting back enjoying their profits. If any of us could manage what they fit in to a year with the sole aim of improving our understanding of horses then we would also merit the passion and loyalty that is their due.

 

[hayleyD]

I belong to the '' CULT'' as some call it, and very proud to admit it.
I believe that everyone can have their own opinion and would never try to preach to any person.
I do however get asked wow how do you get your horse to do that, my reply is ''because he wants to"
I regularly ride without a bridle or halter, have vertical and lateral flexion, perfect straight, fast back up, excellent flying changes, sideways (half pass) at all speeds and wonderfull transistions. I also do all of these with my horses on line and at liberty in the middle of my nine acre field, with no schooling area and giving the one i'm playing with the option to stay with me or leave. All you are then left with is the TRUTH. Does your horse really want to stay with you and trust your judgment?

 

[ThomasTank]

Blimey are you lot still going on......................

 

[jacnigdrinkwater]

Hi

I am new to the forum. I would like to say that its horses for courses, excuse the pun and if some people find comfort and guidance in Parelli, then thats great whilst others clearly feel its not for them.

I am working through the Parelli program with my beautiful coloured gelding - it was love on my part anyway at first sight. However, he clearly has many issues I have owned him for nearly a year now and the transformation in him is amazing and whilst I have plenty of common sense and have owned and ridden horse for the last 28 years - I just feel that the Parelli program gives us a structure to work with and goals (for want of a better word) to work towards.

The Parelli's truely love their horses and work only for their good and best interests. As I said earlier I appreciate it is not for everyone just as show jumping or dressage is not for everyone but until one has looked into it throughly it is not a fair comment to dismiss it - so just give it a look you might all be surprised - I was. I was a huge sceptic just as some of you whos posts I have read.

I cant wait for the new centre a Stoneleigh to be up and running I just hope I can save the pennies to take advantage of the courses. It would be truely amazing if Pat and Linda could be over hear and give us some of their amazing input - who knows!!!??

To sum up GO PARELLI!!!

 

[Heidi07]

Boy, some of you out there are a catty lot!!!

I posted my thread as there seemed to be so many against rather than for Parelli.

I don't intend to keep boosting the site ratings as I would rather spend the quality time with my horses and not stuck on the internet!

Whatever path of horsemanship you choose to follow, I sincerely hope that both you and your horse(s) are happy.

 

[Castlecourtdaisy]

Personally I think there are lot of offensive posts on here, from both traditional and parelli people.

Clearly we all love our horses to bits and many people here care for them enough to consider options and try to please them (and no, that's not at all a defense for PNHers, that goes for most people on here. I genuinely also believe some parelli people are misguided and slightly...demented, and that there are also some people on here, using all different methods, who are just rude and pig-headed and don't deserve to be taken seriously) so isn't that enough?

Funny that it's the people who are actually well-informed about the subject are the people who are being much more constructive and balanced in their arguments, isn't it?

 

[ThomasTank]

I wasnt meaning to be rude.

I am not for or against it. I was trying to make a funny comment ! . Over the last few days, I have been popping in here to have a look and the posts keep on going.

I am sitting on the fence here

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]
I am sitting on the fence here

[/ QUOTE ] You must have splinters in your bum by now

 

[Hanz]

I much prefer Monty Roberts techniques. Bonding with the horse by using his 'language' rather than playing with them.

 

[spotty_pony]

I have only just noticed this post because I haven't been in the New Lounge for quite a while and so I can't be bothered tp read all 19 pages of opinions and comments on the topic so I will just give my opinion (I apologise if any of this has already been said)

I think NH is a good idea and can be a helpful way for training certain horses, because each horse responds to different training methods. However, if it is done incorrectly, it can cause more harm than good and you can end up with a problem horse, either because you haven't been clear in what you have been training the horse to do or perhaps you have confused exercises and not achieved the required result. So although NH is now a recognisable sport, not anyone can have a go at it, they need proper training first.

 

[Castlecourtdaisy]

Gosh sorry I didn't mean you there! I was talking about the general comments, and at the time I started my post yours was the last post, so it just automatically said it was replying to you, if that makes sense?

Sorry if I offended you, really wasn't aimed at you at all!!

 

[cvb]

It occured to me the other day that the people who "just get on with it" are the ones that won't be noticeabley "NH" (or PNH).

I was watching two people lunging (and yes I DO mean lunging, not Circle Game). One was using a rope halter and line. Do I know what NH approach she uses, if any ? No.

So if I see a competitor at a dressage competition or event, how will I know they train using NH ? (For example, Charlotte Dennis events). I may run-of-the-mill people here, not celebrities who will be interviewed etc.

Answer is that I probably won't know. People seeing me at local dressage event won't know I also ride western, also use NH etc. They will just see a perfectly normal riding club person and horse.

 

[Castlecourtdaisy]

[ QUOTE ]

Answer is that I probably won't know. People seeing me at local dressage event won't know I also ride western, also use NH etc. They will just see a perfectly normal riding club person and horse.

[/ QUOTE ]

^and that should really be the aim of all NH people shouldn't it? If someone has to have everything "just so" and use special equipment to have any sort of success with their horse, then they've got problems! This goes for everything from Parelli halters, to martingales, and carrot sticks to those strange expensive bits people are inventing all the time.

People who actually get on with it and get results are the people we should all strive to be, whatever method we use.

 

[ThomasTank]

Phew !!

 

[Lottiedude]

<font color="purple"> </font> It's no wonder that the British horse owning public often find Parelli to be 'not to their taste'. After all, here is a man who is actually making money out of horses, who wears a smile! I admit that I find the financial input required to commit to Parelli training is a little off putting, but having spent a lifetime spending lots of money on training for BHS examinations and an equine science degree in Agricultural college, with accredited trainers (of a more traditional ilk), tack and gadgets galore, I am willing to put my proffesional neck on the line and admit that there is so much more that I could learn about horses, using much more simple techniques (as offered by Parelli). I've worked in the horse industry all my life, and considered myself to be well informed and professional, however, since starting Parelli recently I can admit to being a total novice in regards to REALLY understanding how horses work. I am really enjoying being a novice again, I'm learning so much and so fast.
Because finances are tight, I have not joined the Parelli savvy club, I have bought most of my stuff second hand from eBay and all my ropes and halters are from Germany (from a great company called Quarter 91). I keep my horses on a tight budget, with little to spare on expensive training or equipment, so I do struggle to forge ahead with Parelli. Indeed, I think Parelli would be viewed with much less cynicism if it were less expensive.
Even the Birmingham conference seems to be vastly overpriced, which is a real shame.
The Parelli's have a very valid technique that is not available to all who may be interested...

 

[Castlecourtdaisy]

^ that's a point actually...BHS training for exams costs hundreds! And that's for like, a 10 week course (one 3 hour session per week) - with someone who (speaking from experience here) could possibly be teaching you very little and also incorrectly for the syllabus...! I know Stage One is simple, but when a supposedly qualified instructor convinces you of something, it's extremely annoying to find out two days before when you get to see the syllabus that all these little things are actually complete rubbish, and you've spent bucket loads of money to make you LESS prepared. Following the course, there was a scheduled exam, and funnily enough, I was the only one to take it. The rest all pulled out!

Ahem, bad experience there! =P I could go on...!

 

[burtie]

QR - I don't see how anyone can compare the BHS way to other ways, the BHS is not about 'a way', certainly for stages 1 and 2 they are just about handling any horse safely and looking after it with understanding of it's needs. You don't even begin to cover schooling and teaching the horse until Stage 3 and even then it is more about how you would approach it, to show you have some understanding of what you are doing. Yes there are some things that are consistent about how you must make the horse go and the aids but this is again a practical thing as the BHS is there to help the masses learn to ride so horses do need to be trained in roughly the same way otherwise it could get rather messy on exam day!!

Now I did my exams 18 years ago so things may well of changed, but back then we were actively encouraged to explain our approach and ideas once we got to stage 3. At that level showing understanding of what and why was the most important element once they agreed we could basically ride.

 

[Tinypony]

I feel that a lot of the animosity towards the term natural horsemanship in this country stems from the attitude of Parelli followers. In other countries NH just gives you an indication of the sort of trainer you would find, and it doesn't seem to be such a big issue.
Ages ago someone said "I often wonder if Pat is living his dream."
I would say last time I saw him he was. He seems to revel in his fame and image and I feel is believing his own legend. I don't base this opinion on seeing him in public, I have spent time with him away from all that.
As for Monty Roberts, well, he's done a lot for helping people to think differently, but I find it very hard to believe he invented anything (I've read Horse Whispers and Lies). And I find his techniques to be quite crude. He doesn't quite fit into the NH category to me, uses too many gadgets.

 

[gemmah]

Wow just got back from work! This is gettin' nearly as good as the hunting debate! LMFAO!

 

[Enfys]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think it matters that the horse in the video is strange the point is - being as firm as necessary. You need to find a way of being effective otherwise the horse will ignore you. Pat has his way and no doubt you have yours. But always use politeness first.



[/ QUOTE ]

If I saw any horse of mine treated like the display in the video then, audience or no audience, I would be in there, demanding who ever it was, get off, immediately.

That is not an inspiring video to watch at all, the horse looked upset and confused, and the overall impression was of clumsy showmanship not horsemanship.

 

[RuthR]

I was at the event that you talk about - and I'm not ashamed to say that I was there primarily to see Pat and Linda. I sat through Ferdi's demonstration and liked *most* of what I saw. Interesting that, apart from working with his own son and daughter, he was working with was a former Parelli instructor on a very young horse (and this was his first time in front of such a large crowd) who Ferdi described as well prepared and completely relaxed. How interesting?!

But there was a reason for the intense reaction to Pat and Linda (which I won't go into here) - but to say that things had been building up for a number of months is an understatement. I enjoyed watching them give their demonstrations and I remember Pat making jokes about 'traditional' methods (he always does) but they are based on what he has seen the whole world over for 25 years+ (and they are *jokes*). And he doesn't hate dressage - he just hates it when it is done at the expensive of the horses digintiy (which does happen - I have seen it happen).

I'll try clarify to my previous post about displaced behaviours in competition horses. I was trying to say that perhaps these displaced behaviours come from an crack in the relationship or something that hasn't been properly adressed in that horse's foundation training. It is in these circumstances that perhaps Parelli could help find the cause of these behaviours and help solve the problem. I hope that makes more sence. I was not trying to compare Parelli to competition training - just saying that perhaps Parelli methods could help form a better foundation for higher level persuits.

 

[hatters]

[ QUOTE ]
Time, respect and patience are all you need to build a bond with a horse, and luckily, they're all free.

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree!

 

[Panther]

over priced and over here!!! ohhh god!!!

(used to be oversexed and over here years ago!)

dangerous in some hands!!!

I have known many a novice owner, we probably all know one who just owns a horse... doesn't do anything with it... firstly buys one completely unsuitable for them... doesn't know how to look after it, train it blah... blah..

thinks a book or video will teach them all they need to know! it takes years, time and effort, many frightened of their horses , unable to cope with behaviour....

start waving sticks about... madness...

a carrot stick IS over-priced schooling whip... some people on here have really brought it, lock stock and all bloody equipment!!! my god!!

if it rocks your boat great... good for you..... but there is nothing that time, patience, attention and life-long learning from experienced horsemen to be read in a manual or watched on a video! And it is nothing new!!!! People having been doing alot of it for years!! Absolutely years!!!! and not paid an absolute fortune for it!!!!!

oh and by the way two of my "crack pot" friends went down that road to a high level and then got to a stage where they said no this is wrong... didn't agree with alot of it and gave up much the wiser!! and would never consider promoting it!!! hummmmmm me thinks!!!

You would be better off going to Pony Club... much better start!

 

[jnb]

One phrase: "All the gear, no idea" comes to mind (in certain cases).

Parelli canot take the place of genuine, old fashioned common horse sense.

I am not "anti-Parelli" per se - but I AM anti rip off.
It seems to me from my perspective, that the Parelli disciples are all reading from the same hymn sheet.

I do wish them all the luck in the world, I would not discount it out of hand, but nor should they discount "old-fashioned", "BHS" methods or suggest that anyone who doesn't follow "Jesus's" methods has an unhappy horse that hates them!

 

[jnb]

Oh, and PS, I could only watch about 20 seconds of that video - it made me feel physically sick.

 

[spaniel]

Not just me then jnb......

 

[gemmah]

ruth did u get my pm? dnt know if i did it right? lol

 

[RuthR]

Yes I got it thanks gemmah.

 

[IrishCobsRule]

RuthR - it was quite clear that there was 'other' things going on at that demonstration - the whole Equine Ethology / Parelli thing was intersting to observe to be honest.
Are you certain that the Parelli instructor's horse was as young as you make out? I seem to remember that horse being introduced as having evented or certainly soon to be out eventing.
The intake of breath and hissing and muttering from the crowd when Ferdi tightened her horses noseband - was interesting to say the least. Despite the obvious resistance (and somewhat sulkiness) from the rider Ferdi's advice definitely improved the horse's way of going.
Whatever undercurrents were going on with the Ethology / pure Parelli thing left myself and my trainer wondering did Ferdi feel that he had been brought into the lions den.
We were led to believe that Ethology movement was about broadening the horizons of using 'NH' methods and getting the message out to a wider audience, promoting kinder training methods and having recognised qualifications - laudable intentions if that was what they were really tring to achieve - although it now appears that they had other motives on their agenda.
I for one felt privilidged to observe Ferdi himself ride his fabulous bay horse - to see horse and rider in such harmony was simply breathtaking - the horse's floppy relaxed ears and willingness to perform was a pleasure to watch and my problem was that alot of the audience appeared to be pre-programmed into a Dressage=Evil mindset. And if you remember Pat himself several times mentioned dressage training methods and said that dressage training was all about 'we have ways and means of making you do things'. Im not saying that this is not the case in some training methods but as with anything else it is very wrong of him to imply that is the case overall.
What was also very interesting was when Linda worked with the chestnut horse belonging to a Parelli approved instructor and basically criticised the way the horse looked and moved - the lack of engagement and roundness over its back - to me this emphasised one of the major problems - Pat and Linda obviously have higher end goals than most people dabbling in their methods.
While I wont be attending any further Parelli demonstrations I believe that their followers will see something very different at the next one - I think that now that they are away from the old British group may be a good thing. I dont necessarily think that all of their fans will keep up - as has been mentioned in this thread several times already it appears that some of the more enthusiastic fans (Parelli = Right / anything else = wrong) are quite happy remaining at around Level 1 or 2.
As I said in my last post it is not for me but as with everything else relating to my horse experience so far I hope I have added to my knowledge of horses. It is my belief that on the whole (excluding cruelty obviously) there are no right or wrong methods only the right or the wrong way to put them into practice.

 

[gemmah]

I was at the demo Ferdi did aswell and I must confess I didn't really like it. Personally I felt him to be too demanding and forcefull (with his children aswell!) There was a silly undercurrent of opposition in the audience and I think it has been shown on this board aswell by the more 'potty' pnh'ers. I felt that the horses (and don't get me wrong I'm no GP dresg rider!) were tight (in thier mouths and in their minds) and were very reactive to the atmosphere. Not wrong, just something I felt. B4 any1 jumps in, I am not anti-dressage AT ALL!
I (not being 1 of the silly 1's who staged some sort of bizarre boycott

) attended the EE conference the following year and aswell as seeing demos from various EE instructors, Ray Hunt and his grandson and equine postural trainer and regd osteopath Gavin Scofield, I watched some fantastic sessions with Carl Hester. Now while he doesn't use parelli or EE specifically, he had a very natural appoach with his horses, he used 'natural' (for want of a better word, sorry) principles, ie release and reward the slightest try, let the horses express themselves, and was not critical or demanding if they made a mistake. The difference in his horses when compared to Fedi and Maria's was obvious, and it would seem that with his past record and current results the world over, many dressage judges would agree!