Parelli Alternatives?

[simons-mum]

Hey I just got my level 1 pack. I have been riding for just 6 months and have owned my own pony for 2 months. As a complete novice I really like the structure of the Parelli program as I am completely clueless at this stage ;) but am just wondering if there is any alternative for riding as I dont want to conflict with the traditional style I'm being taught in my lessons. There also seems to be a bit of negativity around with Parelli. The guy I bought my pony from uses a combination of NH and traditional methods, but they always carry a crop and my pony seems to be a bit disobedient without it. I never seem to have to use it on him, so long as I'm carrying it he behaves. I've read the BHS book but its very simplistic and basic even for my level and some of it (eg. the correct way to put dirty bedding in a wheelbarrow) is just funny. Has anyone come across any other programs in the same sort of style as Parelli?

[Joyscarer]

I pick at Parelli.

I do the level 1 groundwork side of things and love the structure of it.

I never bothered with the riding side as it just didn't appeal to me :)

[inhs]

yep.

Firstly tho, I think what would really help, is a lesson with an actual NH instructor. I think its much easier to learn stuff if you've got another human standing there in front of you to show you how its done :)

With all these program, you can just take with you the things you find useful.

As for other similiar programs (groundwork & ridden), yep, there are a good few :)

Silversand NH (a really nice/low key one)
Queensland NH (another really nice/low key one!)
Australian NH (same again)
I do a spot of Irish Horsemanship, which is kind of a mixture of everything too :)

[simons-mum]

Thanks, I'll look those up. I'd love to take him to a course but I'm quite far away from any place that does anything like that. I might start off on my own and see how I go and maybe I can go on a course without him :p

[ameliet1971]

Whether it be natural or normal, I think there will always be some negativity in any type of riding/training programme and Parelli is no exception.

This link could be of interest to you.

http://www.quantumsavvy.com

There's plenty of free advice and video clips included on it to give you an idea on their methods of training. :)

This is Dan Browns UK website:

http://www.qssouthwest.co.uk/about.html

[jinglejoys]

Before I even heard about Parrelli I began to rebel against the crop.I found the perfect way to handle it....don't carry one:) Its amazing the way you begin to learn to work through things if you don't have to rely on them.
:D

[Esther.D]

If your pony has been trained using a crop or carrot stick of similar then it will be rather disobedient without it as that is what it is used to, if you don't want to carry one then you will need to work on retraining the pony to not need the stick any more and use an alternative aid. Mind you personally I have no issue with carrying one if it is a proper aid rather than a punishment...as a driver I think I see them slightly differently to a rider.

[Crystal Fire]

Esther D I gotta disagree with that. As an ex-Parelli student I would say that the work with the stick was intended to develop us towards the day when it wouldn't be needed. You don't see the advanced riders going bareback and bridleless and still carrying a stick do you? The stick should go at some point.
www.silversand.com.au by the way if you're looking for Silversand.
Have a look for Irish Natural Horsemanship as well... ;)

[AengusOg]

I agree with crystal fire in as much as the handler/rider should use enough of an aid to coerce the horse into performing the handler's request. Thereafter the aim should be to gradually become more subtle with the aids, so that the horse performs to the slightest ask.

Personally I never use a crop or whip when training or riding, I just keep asking till they get it right, then I use very subtle aids/cues to get the give, as it were.

[ReisRanch]

You could always take a look at our system. A lot of people who aren't fully satisfied with Parelli come to us.

www.reisranch.com

and here's a youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBwUYny9gzc

[Meovcorz]

Okay, you just got me on my favourite subject! Well two actually :D. I don't like arguing, all right here goes.

First off, If you like Parelli FINE, but personally I had L1 and L2 (friends version and older ones to no where near as good as the set you have), read all the stuff looked at the videos you know. Even started on it. Then I asked KateWooten if she could reccomend any really good training books to me and she reccomended Clinton Anderson's Downunder Horsemanship book. I ordered it in through Horseland; and I'll tell you something else Parelli didn't motivate me to go down the paddock and actually do this stuff. NOW I have Clinton's book I WANT to go down the paddock every single day and work with my horse, and mind you I don't do every single thing he says, I do a real mix of Parelli and Clinton. Also I reccomend Mark Rashids books. I have some BHS mixed in but not much.

Okay and secondly, as for the crop, I would say this.
My friend has a horse who WOULD not canter without a stick (he would just trot faster and faster and faster and I have a neck injury and cannot handle that kinda jolting) I read (in another book of mine - if you're wondering the name of it I could tell you) that "So many people beg their horses to do something, and they beg them and beg them. I ask once and if they do not respond back it up with a whip or whatever it is in that cicumstance." That is my rule. I don't double cue, one cue is enough. I got my friend's horse from trotting faster and faster too cantering on cue with NO whip, it is I believe a transition, but relying on it I don't think that is right. But also you say you don't even have to use it. Well one thing I use to do was start off with showing them that is there then (if you can get away with it) throw it away from you like over there back so they don't see it :D. Yes, cheeky I know.

[Meovcorz]

Oh BTW, INHS, would you be able ot give me the details too Queensland NH?

And, what is Australian NH?

Thanks.

[simons-mum]

Well, I tried dropping the whip, then sometimes he acts up a bit. I might try keeping it close by and start without it. Then if he decides to act up I can go get it easily. Would that be a better way of phasing it out?

Thanks again everyone for all the links etc. I'm gradually working my way through them all :)

[simons-mum]

Oh and Pilgrim5 I found this site, I'm thinking about buying the 'little book'

http://www.irishnaturalhorsemanshipsociety.com/

and

http://www.queenslandnaturalhorsemanship.com/

[simons-mum]

http://www.australiannaturalhorsemanship.com/

[Meovcorz]

Thanks heaps.

Yeah, should do. I have done both, it is really tricky to make them think you've got it. One thing I just thought of. How do you hold your hands? 'Cause, I found with one horse, if I had the reins in one hand he wouldn't act up, but if I had my reins in both hands he would, cause he thought I didn't have it anymore. :D Smart aren't they.

[inhs]

Yeah another Irish person! Simons-mum's I can send you up a copy of the 'little book' if you like with my compliments :) PM me with your address. I'm going up to Donegal to do a clinic on Sun Mar 2, so if you like I can pop by your way on the Saturday eve if you like :)