What do you think about Parelli?

[sleepingdragon10]

[ QUOTE ]
So the concept is that poking a horse with a stick is kinder then flicking them with a whip? To be honest, I think they're about the same on the pain threshold, which is very low. I haven't had to smack any of mine with my schooling whip for ages! I literally just tickle them, to remind them that I'm (pretty much) in control

[/ QUOTE ]

Looks that way!

I use a good old schooling whip when working SWUO inhand and I doubt she notices anything I do with it in a painful sense. A really don't think a slight tap on the hock to encourage her over is going to inflict any serious wounds......or that I'd need to pay an extortionate amount of money for a carrot stick to do exactly the same job!

 

[Mid]

Forgot to add, in general, horses think that you're bigger then they are. And this is without a carrot stick. If they did know their size and strength, that would be the last of a LOT of people

 

[shandy133]

ive used the methods of it, but dont agree with most. my trainer, jayne trained with parelli and left as she thought some of his methods were not to her liking - to put it that way. she then went on to train with Ken Faulkner, she does over charge extremely, but with her methods, i have "broken" into my mare, and now can use other tainers. without jayne and parelli methods i do not know how long it would have tuner out. but i do agree, parelli is over priced, and a lunger whip wokrs the same as a carrot stick - i have a carrot stick and other whips -when a hrose is not scared of one type of whip, does it matter what it is? sam. xxx

 

[Mid]

Sorry, I'm on a role here!

Wouldn't Parelli do more 'good for horsekind' by opening a rescue centre or shelter? Think of the thousands of meat ponies and abandoned foals that the money they make with selling those gadgits would save! But instead, they open another Parelli Base.

 

[shandy133]

very well said there!!!
i wonder just how rich the parelli's are now!

 

[ChristineW]

I have followed theh Parelli training method with great success. So I am pleased to hear they will have a presence in the UK.

Anyone interested in having a better understanding and relationship with horses - whatever type of horse/discipline can learn a lot from the programme. It all depends on what you want/need.

My take is that I have had good value for money!
Each to their own

 

[0ldmare]

Agree with Deadpan!

 

[appyjude]

Been there, done that, got the teeshirt (and the different coloured savvy string) - would have been much broker for the pleasure but I wised up after level 1 and got the kit from ebay and studied for myself - I was interested and wanted to learn and, guess what - it is common sense and there was no 'magic' answer. I then sold all my kit to the next person who, I assume, found the same thing I did. Only years of experience and hours in the saddle and around horses "cured" my issues and reasons for taking on the "system" in the first place.

There is no substitute for experience and common sense - it's just a pity the Parelli Machine make so much money into the bargain.

 

[SavvyHorse]

I have studied the Parelli Horsemanship system for 4 years now and I have nothing but great things to say about it. It's not about training the horse, it's about training the human to be able to communicate to the horse better. Through this system I have been able to understand Horse Psychology, how the horse moves, why it does what it does and how to respond rather than react to those moves. I have also learned lots about the horses body, saddling and a lot of other aspects of horse ownership which I had not learned before even though I've been around horses a long time.

The carrot stick is so unlike a whip it's untrue, it has a good feel and you can STOP it instantly whereas a whip wiggles more when you try to stop a movement. A whip also WHIPS sharply when used with quick movement whereas a carrot stick when used properly bounces without any hurt in it.

I can also say honestly that after my first purchases of the equipment (which in my opinion are not that expensive compared to what you can spend in a tack shop on normal things every week) I have not spent much in the last 3 years at all.

Lastly I can honestly say that anyone who truly takes up this method and truly learns how to control themselves and learn how to get really under the skin of their horse will find out how well it works so anyone boo hooing it really hasn't in my opinon studied or learned the principles behind the system and although everyone's opinion is valid it is only valid if it has truly been studied and UNDERSTOOD.

I cannot wait to see more happening at Stoneleigh Park with PNH and also for the Parelli International Conference at the NEC on August 4-5....YEEHHAAAA!!

I've never had so much fun with my horses, never had such calm horses and never had such great comments from everyone who meets my horses on how well behaved they are and how much they love ME.

Shelley

 

[viola]

Qr
I am not familiar enough with Parelli methods to go into deep analysis but anything that helps horses to be understood better and ridden better and treated better have my full approval. I only have some knowledge of their ideas (which yes, are common sense) and a superfitial knowledge of 'the games' used in Parelli but saw people getting on really well with their horses using them so each to their own.
Personally I prefer to use own experiences and study horses psychology and physiology and use it in my work with horses.
When it comes to any Natural Horsemanship I do use join-up with some horses and found Monty Roberts' books very interesting and affordable enough to go for them.
Re costs of Parelli's courses - I saw them at Olympia last year and prices shocked me. However, if you think about people who mistreat horses due to lack of that great common sense so many horsey people claim they have, I reckon it is better they spend the money and get it right.
It might be that if Parelli charged similar money to a 'normal' riding instructor they would be glorified for sharing their knowledge among less experienced horse owners.

 

[jadebarrett]

its just normal horsemanship wrapped up in a dvd and VERY VERY overpriced

 

[NaturalTwo]

Why is it a 'pity' that Parelli makes money? I don't see Pat and Linda Parelli swanning it around in fancy cars and lying on beaches on desert islands. They spend their time teaching and traveling around on tours to share their horsemanship with other people and I'm glad to see them investing in a centre here so that even more people can have access. Otherwise they spend their time with their horses improving their horsemanship and then 'bottling it' and passing it on - I can't see anything wrong with that. The horse industry is a multi-billion pound industry. I don't see anyone complaining about the profits made by other instructors, or the makers of saddles, rugs, clothing, lorries or any other piece of equine-related kit.

As for value, the study packs contain HOURS of material that if you did the same in paying for lessons with an instructor you'd probably end up paying way more. If you don't use an instructor and think you've learned all there is to know about horses then great. Personally I don't think we can ever stop learning, even when we're at the top of our game. That's why there are so many top riders that are looking at natural horsemanship techniques. Anyone seen how well Carl Hester's doing lately?

Parelli isn't about saying that they're right and everyone else is wrong, far from it. All it's saying is that there might be a be another way to work (and play) with horses, and that by understanding and harnessing the basics of horse psychology that we can use that instead of using gadgets like stronger bits or martingales to control them. If you've already got a great relationship with your horse then fine, don't do it, but I for one am constantly on the look out to see how I can improve things. I'm following the system and am amazed by what I've learned about horses and in particular MY horse! And that's not to say I don't look elsewhere for other sources of advice and information - I do. I just happen to find that Parelli works really well for us.

I'm really impressed by those who've said they tried it but didn't get on with it. At least they tried it. If you haven't, come along to the NEC in August and see what you think. Then you can make a really informed comment.

 

[anniedoherty]

I am having Parelli/NH lessons at the moment. It is no more expensive than a normal riding lesson (which I also have) and I have learnt some useful techniques which, combined with more traditional horsemanship, I am using to good effect on my youngster.

I am puzzled by the antipathy towards NH techniques because, as most people have said it is "only common sense" and surely there's nothing wrong with a bit of that? I have to agree that it can be very expensively packaged which, to me is just greed, but a lot of it can be demonstrated to be effective. It is safe if done properly and that is why I am having instruction - because if you do it wrong you could end up inadvertently rewarding your horse's bad behaviour. Finally not everyone is possessed of common sense so to have a few pointers in that direction can surely only do them good?

 

[RCAWilson]

A carrot stick is made out of fiberglass, so anything made of similar material can be used as a carrot stick, so no, you don't have to pay the 24 pounds for a parelli one, anything of a similar sructure, strength and flexability can be used of course!
And YES PARELLI IS COMMON SENSE!!!
However, it is not so 'common' horse sense I think.
I assume you use this 'common sense', yes? BRILLIANT!
So, I guess, you get these results from your common sense,
your horse runs to you from the field when he sees you at the gate, he is as light and responsive as you could possibly want- on the ground and on his back, your horse is always tuned into you? Your horse is free, no rope attached and he follows you around running, walking, turning and stopping, mirroring you, he asks you questions? He has total confidence and trust in you, your horse sees you as a fun human, yes? You play with your horse. He is completely respectful of your space, as you are of his.
You can ride your horse bridleless and bareback, cantering, jumping, in harmony, happy, in control? Of course! This Parelli stuff is just common sense- why, then, do I not see this more often? Why do 'traditional' horse riders not have this relationship with their horses? When they have this 'common sense'? Oh wait, they do! Yes.... It's just not always used?? Maybe not everyone knows this common sense stuff?
A 'problem' arises, do you know immediately how to fix it? Yes! How to keep that confidence and trust, the Leadership?
You can ask your horse to do anything, and he tries his hardest for you, but he is not pressured into it, and knows he won't be smacked for for being scared.
You are always reading your horse, his expression, a twitch of his ear, you know what it means when he licks his lips, because he's thinking, is he unconfident? Has he gone 'introverted'? You know what to do if your horse goes into 'prey animal mode', how to get him calm and listening to you, on the ground and on his back? Of course, this common sense is so simple, who needs Pat Parelli tell you this?
You have no issues with asking your horse to slow, or go. He is happy to do what you ask, invisible aids. You don't have tack problems, what bits to use, martingales, nope, this common sense means you have no issuses with any of this, you know that a brace in the body means a brace in the mind, and those issuse are way behind you.
You are more interested in how your horse is mentally, and know that when you horse is mentally sound and happy, the physical stuff follows easy. There is no 'Why did he do that?'
You are fasinated by your horse and what he does, you try your best to be a better human for your horse.
Of course, you are polite and ask permission when tacking up and mounting etc. You don't have to tie your horse up to do anything, tacking up, grooming, NO problem.
I'm so glad you guys have this common sense.
Wait, your horse does'nt do all this stuff? Oh, your horse does 'like' you though, he just could'nt give a rats arse about you. Are you not interested in applying this horse sense? You don't want your horse to do these things? Ah well, some people do just want their horse so they can ride, why do you want your horse to follow you around? You might just want rosettes and trophies, 'wow, is'nt that a beautiful mechanical robot there?' Whether or not you want to apply this common sense is up to you.
Ok......let the comments roll......
I'd rather be PM'ed for questions or comments to what I have said, as I cannot answer to a million replies of the thread!
P.S Maybe you should look into Parelli if you're interested in your horse doing wonderful things like I've said.

Oh, sorry, you already have that knowledge.

 

[ruthc]

I have had horses all of my life and for years I paid for lessons every week. I made improvements here and there but if I was honest with myself I was going through the motions without really understanding why. I then saw a demo by some Parelli instructors and something changed in me, in fact I remember vividly standing watching with tears streaming down my face. What struck me most was the dignity of both the human and the horse - what I was watching was a true partnership. I have read these threads and I can understand why people think that natural horsemanship is just "common sense", and it is, but common sense is not as common as people think it is. I have been a student of Parelli Natural Horsemanship since the day I saw that demo and I have never looked back. It's not about the carrot stick or the ropes or the halter - it's about the human opening up their mind and heart to let their horses teach them how to see the world through their eyes. I can only speak for myself but I have grown as a person because my horses have been patient enough to teach me what I needed to know. The programme just sets you up to let that happen. We all love horses or we wouldn't feel passionate enough to be posting here, but please see past the "tools" to understand the principles that Pat is trying to share with us all.

 

[Nickymac]

Has anybody read "The Fearless Horse" by Joanna and Roger Day? I thought it gave very practical and commonsense solutions to the kind of problems we all encounter with our horses (and it only cost £19.99!)

 

[LottieandMaisy]

I think it can be damaging if in the wrong hands. My friend bought a horse that was trained in the Parelli way and he needed constant handling and attention 3 or 4 times a day, otherwise he wouldn't be caught, wouldn't have a bridle on or let anyone near him. Things had to be 'just so' or he would do nothing. He is scared of his own shadow. I believe that it has a place, but only in the hands of trained, experienced people, not a free-for-all.

 

[Mid]

Actually, our horses do come trotting, I could jump any of them bareback if I had a better seat, I often canter the little pony around in nowt but a head-collar, and yes, he follows me in the arena, walk, trot, halt and canter, mirroring my leg movement.

A lot of people could do those with their horses if they wanted to, they're just not into party tricks. It's much kinder on the horse's back to use a saddle, anyway.

"You can ask your horse to do anything, and he tries his hardest for you, but he is not pressured into it"

Yep. Had him 3 months, and if I ask him to do something scary, he'll do it, not because he's scared of me, but because I talk to him and tell him it's not so bad.

"You don't want your horse to do these things? "

To be honest, if I, someone not particularily experienced, can convince a rescued youngster to love and trust me without spending a penny, then surely there's a fault in the parelli system?

I'm not against natural horsemanship, and I do agree that some of the traditional methods could be changed, it just bothers me that they slap a logo on it and charge loads of money. It'd do far more good if their stuff was cheaper, that way far more people would 'be nice to their horses'.

 

[RCAWilson]

Those of you who say 'Parelli does'nt work on all horses' or 'Parelli ruined this horse' etc.
I'd like to see you give that horse to Pat Parelli, I think you would be suprised- he is an amazing horseman, and he has done a wonderful thing by giving us some of his vast knowledge.

 

[Mid]

"Those of you who say 'Parelli does'nt work on all horses' or 'Parelli ruined this horse' etc.
I'd like to see you give that horse to Pat Parelli, I think you would be suprised- he is an amazing horseman, and he has done a wonderful thing by giving us some of his vast knowledge. "

Ah, but that would cost a fortune that not everyone has.

 

[RCAWilson]

That's great Deadpan, I'm genuinely pleased that you have good relationships with your horses, BUT
PARTY TRICKS?
No, it's the results of the hard work and relationship building, you're testing what you can do with your horse, not showing off. I find that offensive actually.
Yes, many people can ride in a headcollar, can you ride with nothing?

 

[kimsavvy]

I think it was more the human had the problem - not the horse!

 

[Mid]

Also, in a herd in nature, if a horse steps out of line, it will be swiftly double-barrelled by the lead mare. And yet, in Parelli, 'natural' horsemanship, you don't hit the horse? Something seems out of key...

 

[Nickymac]

I think you've summed it up by saying "he is an amazing horseman", but there is more than one way to skin a cat. I think many people have found a way to achieve their aims without using Parelli and therefore find this evangelical Parelli is-a-god stuff a bit tiresome. That's not a dig at you RCAW, just an explanation as to why you're getting some opposition (if that's not too strong a word) to your views on Parelli.

 

[Doublethyme]

[ QUOTE ]
My friend says it seems to be a 'license to take money from middle aged women who are too frightened to ride their horses.'

I have to think she is probably right!

A 'carrot stick'? It's a blooming SCHOOLING WHIP!

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely spot on Bananaman, plus those who have said its common sense very cleverly marketed.

Also the Parelli supporters who think that he is bringing something to the UK horse world - is backing horses at 2 and setting up distasteful "contests" with other "horsemen" to see who can back a horse fastest going to be part of what he brings to the UK???

Like others I do think there is some stuff that is usable and good, but the way it is marketed irritates me intensely.

 

[Enfys]

There's good and bad in everything, it is how the information is used that is important. Each to their own, everybody has their own ingredients to add to the melting pot and there is always something new to learn.

I still can't see why a rope halter sold by Parelli is any different to an IDENTICAL one (I have compared them) that can be made with marine rope if you can tie knots or bought at most tack stores can be so differently priced. It's just a halter with a label on. Ditto the rope and the carrot stick.

Actually, what I'd like to know is whether all these new people will be joining the rest of the forums ? I'm sure they have lots to say that would be of interest.

 

[Mid]

"Yes, many people can ride in a headcollar, can you ride with nothing?"

Never tried - The livery is practically on a main road.


I understand you wanting to test your horse, but wouldn't that be through doing things like trying to send him into and bring him back from a gallop, and less showy, more difficult things like that?

And like I said, a well-fitted saddle is far kinder to the back then a human bouncing around with nothing underneath.

 

[Kaye46]

What does money have to do with being 'nice to your horse'?
Quote "if their stuff was cheaper a lot more people would be nice to their horse"

 

[Mid]

It's a quote from a parelli thing, apparently parelli is you being kind to your horse. Surely if their stuff was cheaper, more people would buy parelli things, and through them, be nicer to their horses.

 

[RCAWilson]

That's my point Kimsavvy, if something goes wrong while someones doing Parelli, it's not the person who gets blamed, it Pat!
You don't hit your horse aggressively Deadpan, but dominant horses do need reminders at times, in the early stages to 'do as I say but don't be afraid' as Linda says.
I'm am not being an evangelical Parelli is god person- I AM SIMPLY TRYING TO DEFEND AN EXPLAIN A BIT!!!