How do I get started?

[Nickie]

Any ideas how I can introduce my shared 14.1hh welshie who's nearly 12 years old to parelli? I've seen it done with a friends' horse who acheived so much and she recently moved away. We've lost contact and I haven't got anyone else to ask!! Also what do I need to buy to start. I know i'll need a carrot stick - but what else??

Alternatively just in case she uses this board -

Amy who had 'Mad Max' at Picks Farm near Waltham Abbey - can you PM me?

Nicola

[virtuallyhorses]

Start with basic leading - and forget the carrot stick. If you're interested in NH don't get stuck on a particular trainer, do some research and look for things that you can cope with...leading is always an excellent place to start.

[Ame]

Dear Nicola,

Your horse and yourself sound like a perfect candidates for Parelli. Welcome to the world of Natural Horsemanship!

For more information you could visit: www.parelli.biz (UK site) www.parelli.com.au (AUS site) www.parelli.com (USA/Global site). There are some great articles and photo's that can be downloaded from the PNH US site (for free). The Savvy Up Newsletters might interest you....

How do you get started? I would strongly recommend that you go watch a course and/or demo if you're able. It'll give you a great first hand view/idea of where you're heading, what you're aiming for and what it's all about. The UK Parelli Office has a list of courses and free demo's available. If you can't get to a demo or course the next best thing is watching the video's!

As far as buying equipment goes? Again, I would probably point you in the direction of buying the video's ("The 7 Games" video and "Freestyle riding" video; for pure inspiration the "Do more with your horse naturally" video) and book ("Natural Horsemanship" by Pat Parelli) to begin with, rather than buying carrot stick etc. You need an understanding of the knowledge and attitude behind the program, before going out and using the tools and techniques. The "Partnership (Level One) pack" is an excellent start if you can afford it. Sometimes you can pick up second hand ones on E-Bay etc. quite cheaply. Or the PNH UK office now has a scheme where you can join up and recieve the Level One Pack straight-away, but pay for it over 12 months (costs about £10 a month and also includes discounts on equipment/coaching/free advice etc). (A great way to get started if you can't afford to pay out a lump sum for the pack!) The level one pack contains all the information you need to get you started in the program: two videos, lesson booklets, audio tape, theory book.

The basic equipment used: Halter, 12' Line, Carrot Stick and Savvy String. However, as I said above, if finances are limited, invest in the educational packs and make do with the equipment you already have at hand.

If I can be of anymore help, please feel free to contact me. My email address is: ame@smeedles.com

Best of luck in your journey, Nicola. Look forward to hearing more about your natural adventures soon.

With best wishes,
Ame (Level Three Parelli Student)

PS. Extra thought: The seven games are described here in some detail: http://www.parelli.com/literature/articles/seven_games.htm

PPS. As others have mentioned below and above, there are many great horseman/women worth learning and reading about in deciding what will work for you and your horse... Ray Hunt, Bill and Tom Dorrance, Mark Rashid, Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, the list is endless! I guess what keeps me with Parelli is the 'program', there really is nothing else like it in the world. All of the above are great horseman, maybe better than Pat. You can learn a lot form each, but none of them have a structured teaching system like PNH. Which is what has me sold really. The program... and knowledge in format that anyone can understand.

[ptaty2]

Hi
I would definately start with a mixture of different techniques - although i have heard good things about Pirelli. I think that sometimes it is difficult to start any one new technique by yourself without a trainer but there are concepts that you can learn and apply from different sources. Here are a few methods that I use and mix to have an all round good relationship with my horse:

Clicker training is a fantastic theory: you reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour - at its most basic. For example - the moment they make the slightest move towards doing what you want, reward them with a specific sound (normally a clicker but can be verbal) and a treat. They then learn what you are wanting and learn how to get rewarded with your voice (taking treats out of the equation once they have learned that a 'click or a certain word means they have done well). Also, not to feed horses when they bang on their doors as you are rewarding bad behaviour. Wait till the banging stops, then feed. Go to http://www.companyofhorses.com/pages/frameset.html' and read some of the stories. They have truly moved into inspirational work that is so simple yet not many do it.

Also, pirelli training which you have information on. Also look at Michael Peace who has a section on this website. It is all about non-confrontational communication, working the horse through his problems/hang ups with care and understanding instead of beating them into submission.

TTouch is also a fantastic way of getting to know your horse better http://www.animalambassadors.com/tteam.htm. Go to the testimonials to see how it can be used.

Also, people forget that horses understand words, i think it's up to 200 words that they can remember as long as you are consistent with them (as with dogs). Tanya Larrigan is great for this and can get her horses loose schooling and doing dressage movements on a command through gentle, patient training. My horse will now stay in his stable happily with the door open as he knows he is not to pass the door. Also, he will open gates for me on hacks with a mixture of voice training and clicker training http://www.larrigan-equestrian-promotions.com/sponsors_links.htm

I think it is a good idea to mix and match and find which training method works with your horse and the world is your oyster.

I can say that my horse is a great testament to a mixture of all these techniques and we have a great working relationship.

Good luck!

[Kerry's Partner!!]

I don't think mine would respond at all well to a comprehensive offering of PNH = and I think she's typical of her breed. Sorry.

[Crystal Fire]

Everyone to their own.
I disagree with the advice to start with a mix of methods. If you feel that you are embarking on a whole new world then to try to mix and match all sorts of stuff can end up confusing you and your horse. I did a lot of Parelli before I started to look to other methods and use some of their ideas. However, as a complete beginner, I found it best to start with something that gave me clear guidelines, lots of background material and support. So - it was Parelli because of the home study system, lessons and email helpline.
As I say, whatever floats your boat.
I've not yet met a horse that can't be handled using Parelli. But I do think that you need to be sensitive to their individual personalities (horsonalities?) and realise that the precise same approach re teaching the games, using phases etc may need to vary. Also, people make assumptions based on the shape or size of their horse - so maybe they think their "phase 1" for a big cob is going to need to be really assertive - but they can be so wrong. I think you need to start as soft as breathing with every horse, and find your way from there (personal opinion).

[B W]

I believe everyone should educate themselves about NH and then pick a method that suits them and their horse. Not all horses respond well to NH when they're young. I think a horse's mind should be ready for training, not just the body.

[virtuallyhorses]

I know I've already posted , here but I'd like to say that to me its important that the PERSON attempting some of these training methods is clear on how to proceed and capable of doing them.
So doing something very basic like leading seems the way to start.

That's why I said to look at different methods - I have started training my horse with some natural horsemanship exercises, but I feel uncomfortable with the idea of just blindly following a program. For a start mine is an 'older' horse (he's 13) and he's basically a kind, well behaved fellow, good basic manners, so some of the techniques just seem unnecessary for him or a little over-the-top. So before attempting anything I looked at many trainers, read their ideas, watched what they were doing and got a feeling for what I could safely cope with and what felt right 'in my gut'.

One of the big differences I feel is that many of these trainers have worked with their ideas for many years and perhaps all their lives with horses, so they're body language 'systems' are second nature to them. To someone new, we have to learn to be consistent and remember to use the same signals etc EVERY time. (and to stop using our old body language and signals)

That's what makes me hesistate before jumping in - I feel the need to recognise my own limitations and I don't trust myself to follow a program in video\books\tapes EXACTLY (plus I refuse to become a blind follower of something that I don't agree 100% with) so I take little steps that I can manage, and only utilise those 'lessons' that I understand and usually that means that I am picking and choosing a little.

My leading training has been a cross between Gawani Pony Boy, Michael Peace and John Lyons (they're very similar anyway) with my own adaptation for my horse (as an individual personality) thrown in. Its been highly successful, but perhaps others are more comfortable with following a set program...

**UPDATED** and of course I forgot to mention - knowing about horse body language! I just noticed another post about a person 'round penning' their horse religiously but not realising what they were meant to be doing or that the horse had been giving them the equivalent of the 'two fingered salute' the whole time, and wondering why this wasn't improving their relationship :) ***

[Crystal Fire]

Good point Viv - avoid anything extreme seems a really fine idea!

[Yann]

I agree completely with the idea of getting informed from various sources and trying different things with your horse rather than slavishly following a programme. Most of the basic stuff is the same anyway wherever you look, such as your horse being comfortable touched all over, respecting your space, following pressure etc.
There is a difference in emphasis too, I'd rather have a horse with its own polite opinions than one that always does whatever I tell it without fail. That's what cars do (mostly...).

[Nickie]

Woah there! :D

Before I get told agaiin about following some slavish routine, I would like to point out that it is merely something I would like to try and see if it will improve or build a bond between me and Bren.

Brennin already knows what he is doing most of the time and I would just like him to relax more, and be 'interested' for once as well as trying something different to keep me interested. I have tried varying anything and everything with him but he never looks like he's enjoying himself. Even when he is apparently happy he never ever seems excited or interested.

We've had a go at join up, lunging, I've tried playing with him, jumping, hacking, bareback, all within the last year, and he doesn't seem enthused by any of it - even pony club games and drill riding (which he seemed to enjoy a little).

Through Parelli - my friend Amy - who moved away took an agressive horse and got him interested and willing enough to work with her. Another person I know had a horse that would do anything but he'd do it all on Autopilot. After trying some parelli he does everything so much better as he is aware of his body and even more so of his riders'.

I just want Bren to be happy and interested and I'd like to work with him, rather than feel I have to convince/bully him to do things all the time. I'd like him to work with me and I like to see if Parelli can bring a tighter bond between us. I know I'm only his sharer - but does that mean I should be able to get any less out of him that his owner? Or that he should be any less happy working with me?

I just want to try to find a way to connect with him. I want us to work together and would like to try Parelli in order to get to that conclusion - rather than slavishly follow an idea. If it doesn't work we'll try something else. I'll give anything a try. Even if it is just a case of time will tell.

Nicola

[Crystal Fire]

Good for you Nicola. I think if you don't just go in the school to do your 7 games - but learn to play with imagination and variety then I reckon Parelli will be right up your street. Just have fun with your horse.

[virtuallyhorses]

Sorry Nicola, we're not jumping on you

The reason the 'slavish' idea comes up with Parelli esp is that if you have ever been to one of his clinics, I have heard him say (yes, the real Pat Parelli heard with my own two ears, NOT hearsay or anti-Parelli gossip)

"If you do not follow my program step-by-step in the way in the way it is set out, you will not succeed"

ie he tells you to 'slavishly' follow his lessons, tapes etc

[Crystal Fire]

It's what's in a word, isn't it? What's a slavish routine for some folk (maybe the more experienced) is a reassuring set of guidelines for others.
I'm assuming that lots of people on here who are having a go at Parelli aren't particularly bothered about going that far with it, and will therefore mix and match a bit with other systems. If someone wants to be able to do the things set out in the PNH levels programme then Pat's telling the truth - the best way to do it is just to follow the system. I'm sure you can get there by other routes, but that's just the straightest route it you want to use HIS system. If you want to do Parelli in a big way then it's best to just get on with it the way he teaches, if you don't then you'll do whatever suits you best. Do you see what I mean?
One thing I have found - if you're having problems with the 7 games it generally means you have to go back and work on one of the earlier ones. Also, if you are having problems with a more advanced task, it generally helps to step back and think about which of the 7 games make up the task, then work on them a bit, then put it all back together. It just happens to be a systematic method. But, if that's not for you no problem.