Views on parelli?

Question

Ok, So I know that parelli is a controversial method among horse people. It seems like you either love it or you hate it.

To tell you the truth I dont know diddly squat about it. I've heard that there are 'levels' of training to go through, and that they seem to promise amazing results for those who actually use their methods.

So do you like the method? Is it something that has been useful to you?

I'd like to look into it so that I can do some new stuff with my mare. I've heard some people say that their methods only work for horses that are calm and willing. Do you agree? Do you think the methods would work for a horse with a more stubborn 'do it her own way' attitude?

Answer 1

When I went to their program I was bored to death. Half of the time thez were just showing off. I believe in natural horsemanship but not in the Parelli Program

Answer 2

i used it and it takes alot of effort and persistence.

since i dont have that kind of time i dropped it.

it is also very expensive.

the main items are

-rope halter

-lock in lead rope

-(carrot) stick

-bareback pad

and the videos

it is mostly all about communicating with your horse and having a strong bond.

Answer 3

I have never used the program but I would like to I have one of those types of mares to. I have seen a dvd on the program and think it could work. I agree with natural horsemanship.

Answer 4

i think it is an awesome method along with almost every natural horsemanship training method.... a couple years ago i bought an ex race horse who had been flipped over, beaten, roped you name it and i started all over with him with the parelli method...it has worked wonders on him, he used to be tarrified of other horses, trailers, tarps, pretty much anything that moved or made noise. now we can load him up for a horse show, throw tarps over him, and he loves other horses.

some people say dont use the method cause it cost to much or it wont work....it might take some time but everything you and your horse learn from it is deffinatly worth the time and money. plus you dont have to buy all the parelli equiptment(saddles, saddle pads ect.) the only main thing is that you and your horse are happy and safe, and thats what the whole program is about.

i admit that you do need to buy some of the stuff to get started (halter, carrot stick and maybe the dvds)but if you really think  about it, its so much better than spending money on hospital bills because it buck you off or having to get rid of your horse because its not happy to work for you. i think anyone who has doubts about the program really hasnt looked into the program to find out what its really about, most people want quick results....THERE ARE NO QUICK RESULTS WITH HORSES! it takes time to gain trust and respect with a 1500 pound animal but in the long haul it make your bond so much better....i know it helped me tons :)

Answer 5

Try Clinton ANdersen or Kenny Harlow.

Answer 6

Well, my dad says that everything parelli says is real, just stuff that you can figure out on your own. Most people know that you should have a bond with your horse... thats what parelli is all about.

Answer 7

I don't much care for any of the RFD trainers. Some of what they teach can be useful, but if put in the wrong hands can actually hurt a horses training more than help.

Through my many years of training and being in the horse business I've learned that most training difficulties actually stem from the human, rather than the horse. Most people jump ahead and try using a training program when really if they just spent an extra 10-30 minutes a day just being with their horse, the horse could change dramatically. Not every trainers techniques are going to work on every horse, and these training clinicians and videos that are out there today don't really give a broad spectrum on training the variety of horses. You aren't going to approach a beat down rescue the same way you approach a high strung jumper.

Also, common sense needs to be a big part of training. Obviously you aren't going to be carrying eggs in your pocket if your mount goes to rear and you aren't going to lunge your horse for 30 minutes to teach them a lesson. After a week of 30 minute lunging, that horse is going to be d**n well stronger and faster than he was to start with.

Answer 8

it works for all horses but is very expensive not really worth it unless u have a big barn. the website that is posted below will tell u all about the program.

http://www.parelli.com

Answer 9

Out of the current NH trainers, I much prefer John Lyons, Chris Cox,  and Mark Rashid - there are some others can't think of off hand.  They're just natural, experienced horsepeople who aren't trying to sell a bunch of stuff with their logos on it.  

I don't care for Parelli's "system",  which most experienced horse people I've talked to find too gimicky  and a little obnoxious.  I have no doubt that Parelli is a gifted horseman, but it seems he's gotten carried away with the marketing and a desire to suck in neophyte ladies who are a little bit naive.   The whole system has unnecessarily complicated the communication process with the horse.   But, hey.  Maybe it has helped a lot of beginners have some sort of structure, albeit contrived, in their horsehandling ventures. . . .

Answer 10

A lot of it has it's basis in old fashioned training methods and common sense. He has just brought it to the fore, re badged and marketed it.

For me it started losing credibility when "games" were brought into it - it's a horse we're talking about here- not a puppy.

I think it has now turned into one vast marketing exercise worth millions.

Good luck to all who want to travel that road but he won't be getting any money off me.

Edit>  there is worth in every method, you just have to look for it.

Answer 11

Most of the NH people are really as much people trainers as horse trainers and people are much harder to teach.  Developing an eye so that you can time the release properly takes time and for some people is impossible, or nearly so.

If you have the makings of a good trainer Parelli will work for you as will every other program as long as you work them properly.

I prefer the ideas of Bill Dorrance, Leslie Desmond or Mark Rashid myself.  Personally I don't really like all of Parelli's methods or those of John Lyons or Clinton Anderson but they are safe if you follow directions and they will work if done right.  So, it's not so much the method, because anything that's consistant will work, but it's the talent of the trainer.  That takes lots of practice with lots of horses.

Answer 12

I really don't like Parelli (the method, not the man!)

I base my opinion on the expertise of the people I know who do Parelli and the behavior of their Parellied horses.  They're all what I would class as "beginners" and most of them are timid around their horses.  They take FOREVER to get their horses trained, and I've never seen one reach even a local show winning level.  They love their horses and they're best friends with them, but they are not in charge of their horses.

It's almost like a cult, with social clubs and so on.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone riding with a Parellista who can't control her horse on the trail but spends the whole time excitedly telling me that every horse "needs" Parelli and I can do amazing things with it.  I sit on my well trained, happy, obedient trail horse while they swing their banana sticks ("Oh, no, I would never use a whip on my baby!)  over their heads to cue their horses on the side (I use my legs for that, and have never yet whacked someone else or their horse while cuing that way!) and whirl in circles in their little halters.

Then, when we're (at long last) done, my horses step obediently and calmly into their trailer, and their horses stop at the edge and refuse to budge.  BUT STILL...  I should try Parelli, it's done so much for them...  

I've also seen some really BAD advice from Parelli.  Like, if your horse is a biter, when he goes to bite you shove a carrot at him.  Say what?  Reward him for trying to hurt me?  I don't think so!

If you want to play with your horse, Parelli's great.  If you want to ride your horse...  try something else.

Answer 13

I don't have their DVDs, but I've seen their show and they work very well with their horses, never lose their temper, and explain everything they're doing. They're the only people on RFD tat i like

Answer 14

I love it! I used it on one of my fillies who was very dominant and it worked wonders!

Answer 15

Well... I tryed it once on my very frisky and lively pony, and it did make her gain a bit of control and respect, but to be honest, the way I was tought to train her, is basically saying 'You have to make your horse obey you always, and they should not be patted or showed affection when they are good, and that you just turn away, which makes them relax. i f they come to close to you, you make them back off to give you your own space, so they dont invade your space!'

although this does teach them respect, i don't really feel it's right, and I much prefer my own way of training!

Answer 16

Personally I do not like their methods whatsoever. I watched some videos on youtube and read some of their articles in my horse illustrated magazine. They are basically teaching you to let the horse walk all over you. Another thing; I was listening to a girl talk about her horse and she said "and parelli told me to teach my horse to jump from a stand still so I am going to do it" Alright first of all, if your horse doesn't want to jump you should never make it. Telling people to make your horse jump over a log is not horse training. For some horses it can be horse torture. Many do not like to jump. Also, when they lunge their horses they do not even use the whip. They just shake it around and don't snap it or anything. If you have a bombproof horse like me a little shake won't do it. A snap will. They also let their horses turn around on the lunge when it wants too and if they are riding it and it decides to stop they don't even kick it to keep it going. They squeeze, squeeze, squeeze until they get it. I squeeze and if I do no get it I kick right away. A horse is way bigger then you and you cannot let it walk all over you! You will get hurt and is that teaching trust? No. That is just my opinion. I am not trying to change anyone's views on it. If it works for you then that is great!

Answer 17

There is A LOT of useful information in Parelli methods! My experience has been that most of it is RIGHT on the nail - when done right and reward is given promptly. I've also had some things I've tried that dont work for me - (due to my lack of Knowledge or maybe its not the horses cup of tea?) - in that case I try other methods - combined with his!  Something usually works one way or another!  

For horses with an attitude that might not mesh with Parelli training always open your mind and consider other methods - maybe something Clinton does might work - I dont think that even the most stubborn horse can resist one or the other methods - and I think if you do your steps properly you'll find you wont have as stubborn a horse as you think!  Usually the stubborn is just a lack of understanding what you want!