Your opinion on Parelli

I personally like spiked bits, the sharper the better. And I put glass in my horses boots so when they hit a jump they feel it. And I like to tazer them just before the fence to get that extra powerful leap in the air

Twisted wire bar bit with an added bicycle chain bit will really get the horse paying attention to you as well, NBE. Be sure to give a few HARD yanks on his mouth to make sure the horse knows you're boss.

I like the broken glass idea, too. Nifty! Who needs training when broken glass will make them jump higher without spending all that extra money?

Yes, so all us abusers can ONLY use our horses to lope circles on the beach with a tack rein and jump little jumps like agility dogs in the arena. Because that's only what horses should be used for. Heaven forbid if they even see cattle!!

Oooo now you're talking!!! And add some leverage to that baby we are good to go! I think I need to tie the horses mouth shut and put tacks under the chin strap.

Oh yes, don't want him gaping his mouth at an inopportune moment, and those tacks will keep him paying attention!

Mod note: this thread was not meant to be "pop-corny", so please don't turn it into one, or it'll be cleaned up (and possibly closed).

In short, please stay on subject!

I thought we were staying on subject, Val. Since Dame Nuit believes we're all a bunch of abusers, we're just sharing our tips and tricks.

What else is there to say about training, NH or otherwise? Use what works. If that's PP, then more power to you.

Well, Susan... Just talk about Parelli (as the name of the thread states)...

Seriously though (and sorry if I repeat, I didn't read through all pages of this long thread) I do think PP IS a trainer (even though I don't like all those 7(?) games and other trick training), but the one who got lost in marketing. I also think "do-it-yourself for dummies" is quite dangerous approach when it comes to 1000 lbs animal with hoofs, teeth, and mind of its own. This stands not just for PP, but for any trainer preaching about it and selling DVDs.

As for abusing, I have seen Parelli (as well as every other NH trainer out there) disciplining a horse. Discipline as well as whips, spurs, bits, etc. are not abusive, the abusive use of those is.

What do I think... Well, I think there is a reason the doctors, shrinks, and cops don't have 'Do-It-Yourself' tapes.

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Exactly.

But there are some who believe that ANY use of said items, apparently especially bits, is abusive, and anyone who uses these tools are ignorant Neanderthals who care nothing about horses or their well being.

These same persons also appear to have no real conception or understanding of other types of training, and that training must be abusive, because again, it uses those horrible torture devices known as bits.

There are many roads to Rome. On that MOST of us can agree, except for a few who are blinded by only one particular type of training, and dismiss all others as ignorant and unenlightened.

I know of no trainer, except for that crazy Russian of Haute Ecole infamy, who doesn't use disciplinary tools as well as regular tack, including bits. Riding bridleless and tackless is fine for exhibitions or photo ops, but when it comes to actual disciplines or horses who have real jobs those things aren't just required, they're necessary. That holds true whether you're a fan of Parelli, Zettl, or Morris.