Pat Parelli

Skippy I know what you mean about spending a lot of money on a DVD or a series of DVDs and then find out how boring they are.

I did that several years ago (won't name the trainer, who is very good, just BORING to listen to for any length of time). Took me forever to get through the DVDs (kept drifting off :).

I did get useful info from them, just took quite awhile to get there!

Would I spend the $ again on these, nope. Maybe I'll try watching them again, maybe I'll "soak-up" some info I didn't back then.....ya never know.

No offense but in my opinion I disagree with a lot of things pat teaches. All his little games and becoming one with the horse please. Now on the other hand im a big fan of Clinton Anderson. A horse is a big animal and you need to be boss. If it bights at you slap it and say no. Its way way way bigger then you. I feel like if you don't become boss and take control your horse will run over you. Just my opinion but I think doing pats methods is all fun and games until your horse becomes boss.

I may be seeing how he teaches the wrong way so please correct me if im wrong.

Jesse,

Let me start by saying I don't follow -any- Big Name Trainer, so im not being bias ^^

As far as the Big Name Trainers go... I don't think any of their methods are "wrong". Some of their methods just aren't for everybody. When I was brought up with horses, my trainer had me adopt the "Be the Boss" mentality because, quite frankly, horses are too big and too dangerous to try to be simply their "equal" (plus they weigh 1,500 pounds... they automatically will never be equal to you). Now, just because a handler chooses to be the boss does not by any means mean they cannot be their horse's friend... you can still command respect and have a horse that loves you =)

I'm sure parelli himself knows the fine line between a friendly respectful horse, and one that is spoiled/coddled over/frustrated. Its a matter of if he can teach his followers to notice the difference. That's what makes a trainer ;D

With the Big Name Trainers, they aren't for everybody. Parelli doesnt teach the "wrong" way, because obviously his method works for -him-. Now, if his followers horses are pushy, mean, etc. then they aren't doing his training right, because im sure no Big Name Trainer made it this far if he encourages a pushy nasty horse behavior. If Clinton Andersons followers horses are skiddish, headshy, etc. that doesn't mean Clintons methods are wrong, just that the owner isn't training the horse up to Clintons specs..

I hope that clarifies a little bit =)

As a matter of fact "to be the boss" techniques of Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, and couple other big name people FAILED COMPLETELY on my rescued paint. Not just for me, but for certified people some working in VERY respected rescues in area.

What I'm trying to say here is (and I agree with some other posters) every technique is NOT for every horse. It depends on mentality/personality of the horse a lot.

Personally I don't think the horse needs to know "you're the boss." Yes, the horse needs to respect your space, but making the horse do things just because you said so is being a dictator. I like to be a benevolant dictator, with a 51-49% relationship. When you start bossing the horse around that just ruins the relationship. They don't respect you for it. Sure, the horse needs to respond, to yield, etc. but that can be achieved through a foundation of, as Parelli says, love, language and leadership IN EQUAL DOSES. I'm a firm believer in that statement. It's not leadership leadership leadership....and it's not love love love either. Neither extreme works.

Hear, hear!

I have nothing against Parelli, but I just prefer my way of training. I tend to get as much info and techniques from as many trainers as possible, and find out what works best for me and my horse. Nothing from Parelli impressed me much. While doing some research on Paralli, I looked up the 7 games online, and come to find out I've already done most of them on my own without even knowing it. I think he's done wonders for some, but I don't think every horse would benefit from his way of things.

I love Parelli!!
I have been doing it for 4 years now! And have done it with all of my horses that I have had and all of my horses that I train.
I am on level 3 and I want to eventually be a pro trainer.