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Your opinion on Parelli

43K views 401 replies 64 participants last post by  May 
#1 ·
I've been looking into the Parelli training method and its my favorite so far...what do you guys think? Has anyone gone to the Horse & Soul thing? Thanks!!
 
#401 ·
I don't really agree with the riding aspect of it, mind you I haven't really cared enough to look into at.

But I really do enjoy the Parelli Games, they have really helped with abused/traumatized horses I have used it with to rebuild trust and even create a stronger bond. I recommend them for sure, I have even used them just on some horses that just need to get the idea of "your space".

A lady I used to ride with lent the Parelli Games books & DVD's to me, again, really recommend them! :)
 
#402 ·
I really don't like Parelli horsemanship. I'm not going to say it is stupid, and I could not care less about the prices on tack or dvds. :-p I really do not want to offend anyone, and I'm not out to trash Parelli horsemanship. With that said; I truly believe Parelli horsemanship is one of the worst things that has happened to the horse industry.

In my opinion Parelli sells training that people like, and I believe this is why he is so popular. He sells and teaches ideas that people want to believe in, and that sound nice and pleasant.

Almost every time I watch videos of him; I see the horse telling a very different story than he claims (and I'm sure believes) the horse is telling. When he says "now this horse is happy", I'm not usually sure that is the case. I've seen his happy horses look both sour, annoyed, disrespectful, bored, and so on. I've seen him state that "this horse is scared", when the horse is in fact just resistant to do something.

Then there is too much focus on the methods or games; and way too little focus on body language and actual psychology; of teaching people what to look for. Why? I believe because he does not know true horsemanship. Yes, I said it! :lol: Friendship and love is not key; it's not even important to the horse.
Parelli horsemanship has made the horse into something it is not, and there is a reason why the big names in the show ring does not often come from a background of Parelli training. Big trainers and succesful riders knows that though elements and certain methods of Parelli training works; the concept or the philosophy he is teaching; does not really work that well. And this is because it falls short; horse psychology is in reality quite different from what he teaches, with a lot more aspects. I have noticed this in the answers he and Linda gives to people sending in questions as well. They just do not have a good understanding of how a horse's mind really work, and their answers and advice could often and does often result in dangerous horses and hospitalized riders.

This video is of Pat and Linda giving advice on the trail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haqE_2hLm1g
Do anyone else see resistance, disrepect, lack of control, and timely cutting? Because that is what I see, and I was not impressed when I first saw this video.

Some say Parelli teaches riders to bond with their horse; to create friendship, trust and love. It does sound pleasant, but unfortunately I just don't think it is a part of reality. Remember; familiarity is not the same as friendship. Trust is more than not being afraid. As in the video above; if the horse trusted Linda and her judgement; would it not go down the dike with her on top?
And love? Where does love come into the horse's natural behavior?

There is a lot more to say on this subject, I've barely scratched the surface. Hope I didn't offend anyone.
 
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