Anyone do Natural Horsemanship?

[Gentlemommy]

We've been invited to a Parelli weekend to learn more about natural horsemanship. I am SO excited. I'm interested in reading more...if you've learned about this method, could you recommend any other websites, authors, books? Thanks!!!

[Journey]

you are going to get several opinions about parelli and in my experience 99% of them are negative. having said that, the people that run our barn swear by it. they love it and talk about it every chance they get. i used to be against the parelli's thinking they are just out for money and i do still think that for the most part. i do believe that what they are trying to teach can work and i say tha because i really respect the couple that run our barn. they have told us about how their horses were before parelli and have shown us how they are now after using parelli and i can tell the difference. my daughter, however, does not believe in the parelli thing. we have one horse who tends to be a handful, especially when he's in the barn by himself. he thinks that he needs to outside with everyone else and he can be a jerk. my barn owner and i want to try parelli on him but my daughter refuses to do it and since he's her horse, there's not much i can say about it. my barn owner is very certain that it will work that she is slowly trying to break down my daughter's walls. the one thing about parelli that may be different from other natural horsemen is that, from what i've seen, and knowing my barn owners, there is no harm done to the horse(s). my barn owner's would never allow that. so, i say, go to the clinic and see what you think. it does take alot of time and it can get very expensive but it might be exactly what you need it to be.

[Ellie]

I love Parelli. If only I had a horse, lol.

 

Our own Cindyg did Parelii with her first horse. Maybe she'll pop in and share her experiences. I went to a Parelli weekend with her a few years ago. I'm still amazed.

 

No one else does Parelli except Parelli. There may be other similar methods, but if you want to know about *Parelli*, you need to go to the weekend.

 

There are YouTube videos of people doing Parelli with their horses.

[Remudamom]

I'm sorry, but Parelli sux.

 

Cindyg will argue with me. 8)

 

Check out Clinton Anderson.

[Gentlemommy]

What is negative about Parelli? We are brand spanking new to the horse world. Really, what I want is to avoid negative/harsh treatment of the horses during training. We use positive training with our dogs, and so I'd love to continue that with our (someday in the future! Lol) horses.

Thanks Remudamom-I'll check out Clinton Anderson!

[Remudamom]

Horses are not dogs.

[BrookValley.]

Horses are not dogs.

 

 

Summed up very nicely. :)

 

I love many aspects of natural horsemanship, but what I dislike--about any of the bigger name clinicians--is that many folks seem to take away (from a clinic, book, video, Joe Schmoe at the barn, etc) that they too can do exactly what big name natural horseman does. They just have to follow the formula/do the weekend/read the book/buy the videos...etc, etc. There is no one size fits all for any horse--or person! Parelli is Parelli. Anderson is Anderson. None of us will ever *be* them. However, I think there's plenty to be learned from many of these horsemen and women. Just don't drink the kool-aid, IYKWIM?

 

I spent a very lovely month with Monty Roberts on his farm, learning his particular brand of natural horsemanship. It was an incredible experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. However, I took what worked for me. I don't subscribe 100% to his methods. I'm not Monty, and I could gripe about a zillion things I've seen at his clinics. But there is some good stuff there.

 

Go to the Parelli weekend, if you want. Then go look up Clinton Anderson and about half a dozen others. Go to a dozen more clinics. Read all their books. Then use what works for you.

 

ETA: this is a quick reply from my phone, but I will chime back in later...I have stories to share that may explain my opinions further.

[Guest submarines]

Parelli to horses is like Attachment Parenting / Gentle Discipline to children. Just like AP and GD it is misunderstood in certain circles.

 

AP and GD is about mutual respect and relationship / partnership and it doesn't mean "letting children run wild" with no rules and boundaries, quite the opposite (though many on this board won't agree). AP/GD is a different state of mind--parents don't view children through the lens of control. Just like absolutely *any* method or approach AP and GD can be misused or applied incorrectly.

 

It is the same with Parelli--if misused, it can lead to issues. If used correctly, it is a great way of living and learning and working in partnership with your horse.

[Happy]

Summed up very nicely. :)

 

I love many aspects of natural horsemanship, but what I dislike--about any of the bigger name clinicians--is that many folks seem to take away (from a clinic, book, video, Joe Schmoe at the barn, etc) that they too can do exactly what big name natural horseman does. They just have to follow the formula/do the weekend/read the book/buy the videos...etc, etc. There is no one size fits all for any horse--or person! Parelli is Parelli. Anderson is Anderson. None of us will ever *be* them. However, I think there's plenty to be learned from many of these horsemen and women. Just don't drink the kool-aid, IYKWIM?

 

I spent a very lovely month with Monty Roberts on his farm, learning his particular brand of natural horsemanship. It was an incredible experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. However, I took what worked for me. I don't subscribe 100% to his methods. I'm not Monty, and I could gripe about a zillion things I've seen at his clinics. But there is some good stuff there.

 

Go to the Parelli weekend, if you want. Then go look up Clinton Anderson and about half a dozen others. Go to a dozen more clinics. Read all their books. Then use what works for you.

 

ETA: this is a quick reply from my phone, but I will chime back in later...I have stories to share that may explain my opinions further.

 

I used to train with Ray Hunt. Oh my, that man can do magic wonderful things with horses. I listened, I learned, and I practiced. I'm thankful Ray didn't have a ton of books, tapes, and courses to sell. He simply taught at his workshops. He helped me and my little mare more than I can say.

 

Go. Enjoy. And as Ray would say, 'observe, remember, compare.'

[Remudamom]

Ray Hunt. Cool.

[maddykate]

We love, love, love Parelli and his methods changed us so much in how we relate to our horses. We have four and each of them have differences that we have learned to communicate with. There is no other training method I would use, and I have researched them all. The difference in our horses is amazing. I agree that horses are not dogs, but they can understand so much more than most people believe. They are not robots either and have minds that will work for or against you. Once you get that relationship established, 99.9% of the time, they will work with you.

 

You will find that horse folks are quite opinionated and will tell it to you pretty quick :). If you have an opportunity to go to one of his seminars, I would highly encourage you to go. I was a believer after my first one. Also, just as with homeschooling, take the info that works for you and leave the rest, but go in with an open mind.

 

If you want to PM me for more info, I would love to talk more. :)

[Ellie]

 

I used to train with Ray Hunt. Oh my, that man can do magic wonderful things with horses. I listened, I learned, and I practiced. I'm thankful Ray didn't have a ton of books, tapes, and courses to sell. He simply taught at his workshops. He helped me and my little mare more than I can say.

 

Go. Enjoy. And as Ray would say, 'observe, remember, compare.'

 

 

How kewl that you were able to work with him personally. Most people won't have the opportunity to do that, which is where the books, tapes, and courses come in handy.

[Ottakee]

I am not a big fan but have not seen them in person much (but don't like how they claim (or at least used to) that if your horse was well trained with their methods you didn't need a riding helmet). I was not impressed with the few horses I saw trained that way but it could have been the handler and not nec. the method.

 

I LOVE Mark Rashid and Kathleen Lindley. You can google both of them. Start with Mark's earlier books and read through them. He has a philosophy of training, not a step by step method. He looks at each horse as an individual and then with the rider and goes from there.

 

I have picked up some good things from Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, etc. as well. I am more of a beginner level rider, we buy well broke/trained horses, and I honestly don't expect a lot out of my horses----good ground manners, leading, loading, tying, etc. but I just like to trail ride so I want my horse to just go down the trail at the speed I ask and no big spooks.

 

If you can go, go. Then like you do with homeschooling and other things.............take the good stuff that will work for you and your horse and leave the rest.

 

We have 3 horses here and they are all quit different and need just a bit different handling techniques.

[Live2Ride]

I find Parelli to be arrogant and that turns me off.

 

But I have read, watched, listened, to many different horsemen. Horses are so different and while one method may work for one horse, that same one may not for another.

 

I do have some well trained horses and a couple that are being tuned up, but I have been working with one that I bought as a yearling (and trained another before him). Fortunately for me I had/have a few great horsemen to help me along this journey. I would have never bought one and then tried to train it myself watching videos alone...too dangerous.

 

Go, have a great time...just don't be tempted to buy the "carrot" stick or the other hyped up products ;) ...ask us, if you like them, and some of us horsewomen can point you in the direction to get ones similar for a lot less! lol HOrses cost enough without spending an arm and a leg for someones name on some gear for training purposes...

[Remudamom]

I find Parelli to be arrogant and that turns me off.

 

But I have read, watched, listened, to many different horsemen. Horses are so different and while one method may work for one horse, that same one may not for another.

 

I do have some well trained horses and a couple that are being tuned up, but I have been working with one that I bought as a yearling (and trained another before him). Fortunately for me I had/have a few great horsemen to help me along this journey. I would have never bought one and then tried to train it myself watching videos alone...too dangerous.

 

Go, have a great time...just don't be tempted to buy the "carrot" stick or the other hyped up products ;) ...ask us, if you like them, and some of us horsewomen can point you in the direction to get ones similar for a lot less! lol HOrses cost enough without spending an arm and a leg for someones name on some gear for training purposes...

 

 

 

Yep. He comes across as arrogant alright. I watched that video of him getting bucked off during the Road to the Horse competition over and over until he managed to get it pulled off youtube. I think that pretty much summed him up.

[Live2Ride]

A good honest horseman/woman would not care if he got bucked off...it happens and its nothing to be ashamed of. It does not reflect your riding skills. Sometimes things happen suddenly and sometimes some horses are just very adamant about you getting off for whatever reason at that moment...

[Happy]

Ray Hunt. Cool.

At a workshop I was at I saw him do an amazing thing. The mare he was riding that clinic, Ripple, had gotten into the bad habit of walking right on his heels. Ray had been on the ground working with someone else for a few minutes when he decided he had had enough of that behavior. Without much movement at all, and at first while still conversing with others, he turned around to face the mare. He lifted the hand with the single leading rein in it about waist high. For the next fifteen minutes or so with hardly any movement at all from Ray...Ripple's ears were up and she was paying attention to his very subtle cues. At the end of the fifteen minutes, she was several feet back (the length of the rein) and Ray picked up the conversation where he left off.

 

I was three feet from both of them and to this day it gives me goosebumps to think about it. Truly a horse whisperer.

[Cindyg]

Our own Cindyg did Parelii with her first horse. Maybe she'll pop in and share her experiences. I went to a Parelli weekend with her a few years ago. I'm still amazed.

 

I'm sorry, but Parelli sux.

 

Cindyg will argue with me. 8)

 

 

Gentlemommy, did you go to the show? And did you like it?

 

Here's the thing: To study in the program, you do not have to marry either Pat or Linda Parelli. You do not have to promise to do everything exactly like they do without any question for the rest of your life. I agree that Pat is arrogant. He also seems a little autistic-ish to me. But I don't have to live with him.

 

It's a very polarizing program. It is hated by most of the horse people in the world, for the most part, those who have never been in it. It is loved by a few horse people, and they are, for the most part, the ones who have been in it.

 

Am I also sick of the marketing? Yes I am. But nobody objects to McDonalds advertising. Or Coke. (??)

 

The Parelli program is not remotely like attachment parenting, as gensmarm said above. I WAS an attachment parenting parent, and I find Parelli too strict, too quick, too aggresive for my gentle tastes.

 

On the other hand, neither is it abusive. Horses are big, fast, dangerous animals, and a lot of people do need more effective techniques to handle them.

 

I learned a TON from the Parelli program. When I had a difficult horse and had no idea how to proceed, their step-by-step program was just what I needed to stay safe and move forward. The folks who are in the program (not the ones who just started six months ago, but the ones who have devoted their lives to it) are incredible equestrians with a deep commitment for justice and safety in horse-human relationships. I have been inspired and humbled by their relationships with their horses.

 

All that said, I'm not doing Parelli with my new horse right now. I'm doing clicker training instead. I just couldn't bring myself to swing a stick at this horse. I do hope to get around to doing NH-type exercises with him in time.

 

If you'd like to see, drop by my horse's FB page, which is linked in my subject line. :)