Your opinion on Parelli

But this is true for the people following other trainers as well. Like CA, Stacy, even Buck. Frankly I don't see how PP is different. If you don't know how to ride neither DVD going to teach you that.

And this is why I have a problem with all of the "celebrity" trainers. Although, it's hard to put Stacy in the NH category because she follows show training methods for reiners. And she is the only one in the bunch that actuals TRAINS and SHOWS and turns out a product. The rest don't. If you want a riding and performance horse...she's the only one that will get that done out of all the names you mentioned (or didn't mention in the celebrity trainer category).

A trainer, IMO, is someone who does it DAILY....day in day out, has a horse in for training, gets their hands dirty in the trenches, and turns over a finished product to the client. The ones on the celebrity list don't do that....they are way too busy marketing THEMSELVES.

^^ I have to check (as I very well may be wrong), but I believe Stacy also has "do-it-yourself-for-dummies" DVD(s). I very much respect her as a rider and trainer though (I went to her demonstrations in a past).

I agree I would not put Stacy in with the likes of PP and the others. First she is not pushing a "PROGRAM" Her DVDs are simply showing what SHE does to train the horses she shows. She has proven that what she does works. She shows how she does it, brakes it down and explains why she does it that way. She will also tell you what to do when it does not work and she used several horses at several different levels of training.

No not really. She has several DVDs out there but each one touches on a single aspect of training. Being it starting colt, ground work, stops, control, or what have you. She is not pushing a program. She is simply taping what she does with her horses ever day.

Nrhr, Stacy did advertise her tack at the demonstrations. I have no problem with it personally, just saying. As for her being a true horseman - I don't argue with it, because I agree. She also said that no-bridle work started only after 1000+ hours of riding the horse by someone who can ride. Which should be a true eye-opener to some people who want to ride bareback and brideless after watching DVDs.

Yes she is sponsored by a tack makers. As are most of the top trainers out there. Tim McQuay has a saddle with his name in it as does his daughter Mandy. As does Shawn and all the other top trainers. IT is just part of the game at that level.

The fact that Stacy will say that what she does is an end product of countless hours of training and riding just shows that she is not at all like PP and the others for a great part. What I get from watching their DVDs and all the hype is that "If you do this and this and buy this you too can do this" Even when what PP does is not even close to be correct. (Shown in the Video I posted).

She does (Westfall Horsemanship), but I don't get the marketing sense that she's trying to get anyone comfortable with starting a colt.

I don't object to someone having DVDs about starting a horse, provided they don't make it sound like anyone can do it. I've got some DVDs from Larry Trocha, who also has colt starting DVDs, but I don't get the feeling he is suggesting anyone can start a horse and "magically" succeed.

I think DVDs are great for trying to work a problem area or expand the teaching of an already good horse. Mia might be a PITA at times, but she knows the basics and is fundamentally a sweet & willing horse. I think it is OK for me to work on her balance in turns, or try to improve her stops. But when she was an uncontrollable mess, she needed a pro. Not a DVD, but a pro.

My main objection to Parelli is that he seems to market his stuff to inexperienced people who are afraid of their horse or even who need to train a green-broke horse. I honestly think that, in that situation, a person is better spending $50 on some trail shoes, and leading their horse on a lead rope. Start at a distance you & your horse can handle, and work up to 2-4 miles. I think regular 4 miles walks with your horse will teach a newbie (like me) more about your horse than any number of round pen sessions or poking it with a stick. Walking a horse is a good way to learn to read it, and comes in useful if you ever end up needing to lead it somewhere on the trail.

Then they need riding lessons...

Yes Stacy has DVDs that is not the point. If you look they are broken down into very distinct area. Also if you watch them you will see that what she is doing is very basic and broken down very well.

If you look around you will see that trainers like Shawn and such have similar DVD's. The DVDs just show how they do what they do and the end result you see in the show ring.

What I find different about the DVDs from trainers like Stacy and Shawn is they are showing what they do. While people like PP are trying to sell you on a program with their DVDs. I find there is a bid difference between the 2 type of DVDs and how they can help.

This is it^^^ you said it in your very first sentence......that's the kicker. If I'm walking through the arena to pick something up and a spoilt Parelli trained two year old comes flying across the arena towards me with his ears pinned and his teeth bared, you can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to lay it on him.....I wouldn't consider that hateful or negative....I would consider it self preservation and demanding respect......
What happens when someone's kid decides to take a short cut through the arena when the owners turn that horse out???

I've seen a gelding bite someone on the shoulder, push her to the ground and try to lay on her like a bull.......she should have layed it on him the first time he bit her.......but oh well that would have been negative and hateful right? Compared to what that horse did to her.....