Hi Julie.
If you search "Parelli" in this forum, you will see many, many threads on the subject. Many are locked. It's a highly controversial subject here.
In my opinion, your money is MUCH better spent having in-person training. The problem with DVDs is that you aren't getting feedback. You could be doing something 90% right, and not get the desired response because you don't know what the 10% piece that's missing is.
There are lots of threads on the topic, though, and I don't want to get into another argument. I am happy to PM you my thoughts and opinions, and provide you with links to some reading if you would like.

 

No, it's not IMHO. I truly think it's cheaper and much more beneficial to find a good trainer to work with both of you (lessons). Plus (as already mentioned) DVD won't tell you if you ride/work correctly.

 

Oh dont open up that kettle of worms LOL!

It's really up to you & whether you think it is worth the money. My friend's really into that style of stuff (though she tweeks some of his ideas to fit her views on training) and she signed up for it.
If you're new to Parelli (or similar training) i'd start off small. Buy the book, maybe watch a few YouTube videos first to see if you like it.
Alot of people think they have to do every step the way they're told to in the books/videos, but i use it more as a sort of guide (i take some ideas and apply them where i see fit/needed.)
Then again, i'm happy with the relationship i have with my horses. It's not perfect in the "natural-horsemanship" way, but we get along great & they listen very well (in my eyes anyway! lol!).

 

use it more as a sort of guide (i take some ideas and apply them where i see fit/needed.)

This is very true - and very true of EVERY training method out there. Learn from a method, and take what you can from that method, and learn some other methods. No one method is going to work for every horse, and having LOTS in your "horsey toolkit" is going to be beneficial to you.

 

Well, the word "Parelli" will cause a lot of heat here on this forum. Some will say he is the equine devil, and others will swear by his every word and action. I don't know very much on the Parelli method, so I don't care either way for him or his wife's training techniques.
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Personally, I would look into finding a trainer, a riding instructor, or an experienced horseman to help you out. It's easy to learn what you are supposed to do, but actually carrying out the task can be challenging.

In personal exerience, I always thought I was the isht when it came to horses. I watched all the hollywood horse movies, I read countless books, and took G-d knows how many pony rides at the carnivals/ fairs. Heck, I even rode an elephant when I was three, I "knew" everything about horses.

Then I started taking lessons. :shock: It turns out keeping your heels down is a lot easier said than done. And knowing the difference between the cantle and pommel didn't do squat for me when I started learning to trot and lope a horse.

The reason the transfer from paper to practice is so hard is this: 1. Every horse/person is different and 2. You may not understand the entire consept to begin with. Just like every person is an individual, every horse has its own way of thinking. Just because you can replicate everything the man did in the video/book down to the tiniest detail, doesn't mean it is going to be the perfect approach for George. And yes, there are going to be instances where you aren't going to understand entirely what the author/filmmaker is saying, but you can't ask questions to the book/video and magically get the exact answers you are looking for. This is where another more experienced horseman becomes invaluable. They can tell you ways to adjust you techniques so George understands, and you can ask questions to them, and get the answers you are looking for.

Don't get me wrong, videos and books can be REALLY helpful to you. You can learn a training technique or a different way to ask for a responce you hadn't thought of before. They will broaden your resourses for training and working with your horse. But, having somebody there to guide you in your learning process will make it that much easier to understand what you are learning.

Hope this helps!!!

 

I think it does more harm than good. The " I want a better bond" Is the gimmick that sucks in so many teens thinking their pwetty lil ponez will love them.

I like Clinton Anderson's methods or Chris cox.

 

Get a trainer to help you, watch lots of different NH type trainers as mentioned above, and take and use what works for you. Noone (even PP, lol) has all the answers. (I just don't think he knows that yet....hehe)

**The real test will be Road to the horse next month!**

 

Get a trainer to help you, watch lots of different NH type trainers as mentioned above, and take and use what works for you. Noone (even PP, lol) has all the answers. (I just don't think he knows that yet....hehe)

**The real test will be Road to the horse next month!**

I am going to RTTH! Can't wait, either!

OP, who you decide to spend your money on is up to you, but don't buy into any trainer because he advertises for "developing that fairy tale bond"...Look for the ones who gain and build the horse/handler relationship via respect. A good working relationship is going to come from respect, not cookies and smoochy talk :wink:

 

Another vote to get yourself a real live trainer. JDI put it well, someone there that can see the other 10%.

 

If you are interested in Parelli, try to get your hands on one of the older Level 1 kits. Since they recently released a new Level 1&2 package, you may be able to find the older ones for under $100.

I wouldn't recommend the Savvy Club until you know if you like the program, because it could be expensive if you end up not liking it. You can't learn from the savvy club dvd's alone--the Levels are the base of the program and the savvy club helps with specific issues, such as trailer loading and such.

 

YOu seem like a really social person, so whatever way you take, I think you find more fulfillment out of being part of a real life social bond. Whether it's part of a barn that does Parelli together (I have friends that do this and they really love working togehter and support each other) Or, having a trainer come to your place and work with you.

Natural horsemanship is built on developing feel and timing, and without someone to show you personally, it is really hard to find it. Watching a video you cannot find the place where the trainer decided to change the angle of their feet, or apply more or less pressure or notice that an ear is on them; all the finer points of round pen work. From personal experience, what seperates the good trainers from the poorer is this highly refined, I mean exquisitely refined, sensitivity to feel and timing. Cannot be learned from books.
Anyway, you would have so much fun SHARING yours and Georges journey with a one on one person (and us too!)

 

It is worth the money. If you are brand new to the program it's a great way to get started! You have access to so much information. Parelli is amazing, I've been a dedicated student for years and am currently at their ranch in Florida, it's so incredible!

 

Thanks for all the replies! I'm glad I posted this, I don't really have any $$ to spend right now anyway, I was kind of looking into for future reference.

Thanks for all the input!

 

I have been poking around and looking at Parelli, Anderson, and I really like the way Chris Irwin handles things best so far. And his videos are free on statelinetack.com and horse.com.

Just a thought for a tight budget, like mine.

 

What is the ROad to the Horse RTTH ? Please explain.

 

Tiny-I will explain briefly so as not to steal the post......it is basically a contest, this year it will be between Chris Cox, PP and Clinton Anderson. They each choose a young gelding, all raised by the same ranch, same bloodlines, basically. They have 3 days to start the colt. At the end, a winner is announced, as to who did the best job. Fun-and I think this is the first year it will be 3 days....used to be 2. Contestants change every year, some are repeats, but with different competition. If you google it, you may like to read more.

 

Yep, it's a colt starting competition...the competitors essentially get only 3 one hour blocks to work with their colts...then at the third day they compete with their colts, and have to do a 'general' competition and a 'freestyle' competition, showing off what they think the colt does really well.

 

There is a Parelli trainer in my area, and she has worked wonders with my horse. I definately think it is worth it, and I have gotten very connected with my horse since then. It might really depend on the horse. I have a gelding that was relatively untrained, he does great with it. He enjoys playing so much that to him it hardly seems like work. He loves to go for rides in the trailer if he knows we are going to the trainer's.

Then we have a mare that was already trained, and she, being stubborn as sin, didn't take very well to the training. It confused her to much, and she didn't exactally understand how to be playful, or want to for that matter.

If you have an energetic and intellegent horse, I might suggest it because that is mainly what describes my gelding and he loves Parelli training compaired to the other things we've tried.

 

I developed a great bond w/ my OTTB Mare (she was very un-trusting and very much a one person horse when I got her). A friend recommended I chase her away from me in a round pen, until she "surrendered", you can tell it's working when they start to lower their head, will start licking and chewing, and focusing their inside ear on you. Eventually they will halt and come to you. At this point you should pet them or give them a treat and walk away-they should follow you, if they start to spook or act us chase them away from you and start again. We have a very close relationship now, she's very affectionate and trusting. I have not heard good things about parelli.