Which Method Do You Use?

I completely agree with Kevin and Spirithorse here about clinicians not wanting stallions at clinics and most methods are the same just put across differently so it should work regardless of gender if done correctly

Kevin had some great points. Stallions are still horses, HOWEVER they do require more skill to handle, one of the reasons why NO clinician really wants them in their clinics.

One of the interesting things that Karen Rohlf says in her book is that in NH, it really focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of the horse, and some of the physical. In Dressage it really focuses on the physical development of the horse, and some of the mental and emotional....Karen goes on to say that in her teachings of Dressage, Naturally her goal is to bridge that gap where NH "ends" and Dressage begins. It's SO important to have the horse calm, relaxed, willing, attentive and keen, etc. BEFORE ever starting in the endeavor of Dressage. I've already started incorporating some of her teachings, on the ground and riding, and have had much success with it so far.

I agree whole heartedly; I've been working with a young stallion, and while he is more fiery than the average 2 year old, he is still a horse, and he is a pleasure to work with when he knows the clear boundaries that I have drawn for him. I am moving on in the next few weeks, and I am sad to leave this colt behind, because he is one of the most fabulous babies I've worked with, stallion or not. However, I can agree with a clinician not wanted a stud at a clinic, considering those owners are obviously there because they have a problem handling the horse...I wouldn't, as a trainer, want that owner and his horse at a clinic either, because if he can't handle him at home, god only knows what would happen at a clinic...

I've only heard the best about Parelli!!!! :)

I'd take Buck any day over CA. I think he's more cute the way he explains things (and I don't like people talking advertisements on VERY expensive DVDs!).

To the OP...

Craig Cameron is great - very much like Buck in way he presents things (I've seen his demonstrations at the Expo). Also Stacy Westfall is a very good (and easy to understand) trainer.

I've watched Parelli, and it was very boring (as well as demonstrations by Parelli-certified instructors). But any approach is a matter of taste (and as mentioned what works for your horse).

Good trainer WILL focus on mental and emotional side whether it's dressage, jumping, or whatever else trainer before the physical work. I've seen it number of times and those trainers were not practicing Parelli or "Parelli-friendly" (I'm not even sure they know what Parelli is, lots of really good trainer just don't care about such programs).

It's never even, there's always a priority. Sometimes we'll give up on something, because the horse is stressed. We want to keep her happy. Others feel that getting the bend on her difficult side, say, is just more important than a hissy fit, and will persevere, to get the physical work done. I would like to school in a balanced way, not get my horse upset, but still, get on with her development. It sounds easy, but there are so many bumps along the way. . .Having done, and being able to go back to, some kind of groundwork has been a help in my recent experience.