When do you know if its good enough? (Parelli question)

[Tootsie4U]

If Parelli level 1 is specifically oriented at dealing with the opposition reflex, then by what sort of actions do you know if you've dealt with it?

What sort of changes in the horse/handler relationship would you look for to 'grade' the progress to know if you've been sucessful at Level 1?

Im not actually looking to take the test, just looking for some sort of unofficial assessment process.

[michelle c]

hi, i think it is when you only use phases one and two and your horse does what is asked of it without any druthers, to what ever game you are playing!!! i think this is right! why dont you want it assesed? :)

[Jacquie]

If Parelli level 1 is specifically oriented at dealing with the opposition reflex, then by what sort of actions do you know if you've dealt with it?

What sort of changes in the horse/handler relationship would you look for to 'grade' the progress to know if you've been sucessful at Level 1?

Im not actually looking to take the test, just looking for some sort of unofficial assessment process.

I found that by the time me and TB had graduated L1 we had formed a solid partnership, broke through the 'prey/predator' barrier and learned to trust and respect each other.

Both horses and humans have opposition reflexes, such as biting, rearing or bucking in the horse which can be linked to fear or disrespect and various reactions caused by frustration or anger in the human.

So as a general guide I would suggest you look for improvements in those areas. ;)

Hope this has helped.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

leval 1 is actually a little more about the human then the horse. they arn't looking for the horse to do everything perfect but for the person to know what to do when the horse doesn't do it perfect, as long as you do everything correctly its ok if you need to use phase 3 or even 4. your horse would need to know all the games and do them, but leval one isn't about perfection at all.

[cvb]

Im not actually looking to take the test, just looking for some sort of unofficial assessment process.

even so, going through the assessment tasks is a useful way of assessing how you are doing and where any rough spots might be ;)

I haven't done any videoing yet - but doing a "practise run" helped me work out what areas I'd been avoiding. Our L1 groundwork tasks are pretty much there - tho I need to do some trailer loading. (We don't have a problem trailer loading "old style" so its something I keep putting off practising :rolleyes: ), and more ridden work. The ridden work has suffered because of the saddle issues - that and working on spookiness. I don't fancy having one rein and being in a major bug-out situation :eek: (Yep, she was doing this in the arena as well - but much less now after lots of passenger work :D)

However, I think I had been getting a bit "stuck" - worrying about gaps at L1. When I had a look at the L2 video it "reinspired" me to take the tasks we do ok, and ask for more :cool: - which keeps us both motivated and challenged. Its not so much about starting L2 work as having a better idea of what I need to aim for in L1, so I'm well prepared for L2 ;)