Parelli - interested but new to the idea

[parsharainbow]

Hi

Just wanted some advice really about how and why this works, I've come across various articles in horse magazines about this but never really understood the games they've described (not in enough detail) so never really followed it up, however, I've got to the point where I really would like to know more as I have got quite disallusioned with the people on yards that I've been on and the old "he needs to be taught a lesson" followed by a hefty smack (which I have never done) and all the know it alls telling me that I allow my horses to get away with murder, which personally I don't think I do, I just don't go round shouting at them and hitting them every 30 seconds, my horses are incredibly well behaved (on the ground anyway, one of them leaves a lot to be desired when riding - very highly strung!!), they never bite or kick, and always come running up to greet me and neighing loudly (probably thinking hooray there's the bucket woman!!!) when I turn up on the yard, which is a damn site more than I can say for their 'well behaved' bullied to death lot, which are afraid to move let alone put a foot wrong. I don't know anything about this Parelli stuff but have always treated my horses with kindness and tried to 'reason' through things with them even though I really don't know what I'm doing, but I also do expect some level of respect from them, my horses have never purposely put me in danger or been malicious towards me and I'm hoping that this is because they respect me and not because they are scared of me. I know although I'm not 'beating' or shouting at them like other people I know, I am probably doing quite a lot wrong in the way of confusing signals etc, so any help, advice or explanations of the Parelli system would be greatly appreciated. Can you please put it simply though as I don't understand the system or the training and am wanting to learn a bit more about it, as I really feel its time for me and my GeeGees to move on

[Jacquie]

Hi,

I found this link on PNH very interesting and easy to understand:

http://iceryder.net/7games.html

Hope you enjoy reading it. ;)

[parsharainbow]

Thanks will have a look now :) x x

[Yann]

Parelli, and any other 'natural' approach to handling horses do so by using the way horses interact with each other to communicate more effectively with them. In a nutshell a lot of it is about being able to control the movement of the horse's feet on the ground and have them respect your space. This essentially puts you higher in the pecking order than your horse.
What PNH have done is packaged this into a system, which if followed will help this process. It is very much a step by step approach and as such doesn't allow much variation if you follow it to the letter. You can actually end up being quite tough with your horse at times with this system as the emphasis is on being your horse's alpha and upping the pressure if you don't get the desired response. It isn't a soft flowery alternative in that sense. It's also surprisingly expensive to follow properly.

There are other less structured and potentially confrontational schools of thought which use the same principles. Many people do a bit of this and a bit of that and find what suits them and their approach, rather than sticking to one 'method'.

[Est]

I 100% agree with your way of treating horses! Good for you :)
This link is for a website about Natural Horsemanhip. It contains links to the official sites for many different systems such as Parelli, Monty Roberts etc. They are all based on the things you talk about such as respect and trust. Happy reading!

http://equine-natural-health.co.uk/natural-horsemanship.htm

[Tootsie4U]

Good summary Yann!

You can actually end up being quite tough with your horse at times with this system as the emphasis is on being your horse's alpha and upping the pressure if you don't get the desired response.

Actually, many of the big name NH trainers do the same. The bottom line, you use what it takes to get the job done, and then leave it at that.

[Jacquie]

Quote:
It's also surprisingly expensive to follow properly.


Let's face it, anything to do with horses is costly, but I find following the PNH system is far less expensive than the costs incurred when I was competing on a regular basis.

Also, the rewards and benfits of the Parelli system far outway any prize money, trophies or ribbons I've won in the past. ;)

[Yann]

Actually, many of the big name NH trainers do the same. The bottom line, you use what it takes to get the job done, and then leave it at that.

Very true, and with a difficult or aggressive horse you have no alternative however good you are. It's at the lower end of the scale where there are other options than immediately stepping up phases of pressure or demanding absolute obedience. Parelli works wonders for a lot of people, and horses, but the approach won't suit everybody's personal taste:)

[parsharainbow]

Thanks everyone :) I'm going to have a look at the websites that I've been given in this thread and get started I think - can I try this on my own or do I need an instructor to start off? :confused:

[Yann]

You can definitely try it on your own:)

[Yann]

Some more weblinks you may find interesting:)

http://www.newrider.com/Kinder_Way/Michael_Peace/mp_introduction.html

http://www.thinkequus.com/

http://www.markrashid.com/

http://www.theclickercenter.com/

[parsharainbow]

Thanks for that Yann :) , I'll have a read now - I've been struggling with the iceryder link, I think the webpage has been removed.

[Jacquie]

I've been struggling with the iceryder link, I think the webpage has been removed.

I've just clicked onto the link and got the webpage without a problem. :)

[parsharainbow]

Hi Jacquie

I just can't seem to get onto this site at the moment, I just tried again, not sure whats going on, maybe its my computer then :( - I will try again later :)

[Yann]

It's working on mine:D

Very interesting that they're pairing clicker training with the 7 games, I use a clicker when I do groundwork, and it doesn't half make it more effective and enjoyable:)

[parsharainbow]

I think I'll try on my computer when I get home then, seeing as its working on everyone else's :confused:

[parsharainbow]

aah-ha - sorted it, its my computer, my colleague just popped out of the office so I sort of 'adopted' her computer for ten minutes, I've printed the seven games out and will have a good read later - looking forward to it!!! :) - Thanks for that link Jacquie

Yann - I had a good look at those sites - it all looks really interesting - especially the Mark Rashid one, and, the stories on the site - WOW!!!! :)

Can't wait to finish work now and get home and do some reading ;)

[Jacquie]

It's working on mine:D

Very interesting that they're pairing clicker training with the 7 games, I use a clicker when I do groundwork, and it doesn't half make it more effective and enjoyable:)

Although I don't personaly feel the need to use a clicker when playing the seven games, I can understand why some people find it an effective means of assisting in training their horse.

Although I don't agree with a certain area of teaching that this training method encourages, I do fully support the principle of the clicker when used with the PNH seven games. :)