Support Group For Equestrians Overcoming Rider Fear

demelza 64 posts Aug 22, 2008 10:37 AM	well I'm still working with my horse using parelli, although the weather in England as been awful for weeks and we've not been able to do much of anything recently. Any how, he's just getting the hang of circling with pointing and turning to face me when i look (only just today mind) and I get back on the computer and people are suddenly talking about "patterns" regarding parelli. What are parelli students talking about now? I've got the 7 games dvd and "At liberty" and neither mention patterns...is this something new?
ladyinblack792 250 posts Aug 22, 2008 10:58 AM	Yes this is new. I have been finding this was listed on their website. I had found out about this from their weekly e-mail newsletter.
demelza 65 posts Aug 22, 2008 1:01 PM	Do you know how it differs from the other dvds? The Parelli business is very good at marketing. They mention it as though everyone knows about it and how good it is, but dont go into detail so you feel the only way you can find out more is buying it. I'm enjoying doing it but now i've bought two dvds in one series i was thinking of gradually building up the set (birthday presesnts etc) but now this new "improved" set has com on the market. Just wondered how it differs
ladyinblack792 251 posts Aug 22, 2008 2:41 PM	Honestly I don't know how it differs. I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money. Sorry :)
AlbuquerqueCathy 42 posts Aug 25, 2008 11:22 AM	Demelza, your experience w/ Parelli is something like mine. After buying hundreds of dollars in equipment and training materials I ran into problems. But, when I attempted to utilize their technical support to answer questions as they promised, they said to basically load her up, and bring her to Colorado Springs for a week, spend $2000 and we'll answer that question. That turned me off big time. I watch him religiously on RFDTV but his first priority is marketing and lots of profit, not improving people's relationships w/ their horse in my opinion.
demelza 66 posts Aug 26, 2008 10:54 AM	His wife make no secret about the fact she was a business woman and have taken training in teaching. It is a natural progression to spread the word using her business head. It also costs money to set up these centres in different countries, travel with staff, their horses etc. I agree that the equipment is over priced for the normal average person but at least i could find out a bit about what they teach...7 games, fluidity of riding etc before I bought anything as they have TV programs or clips on "You Tube". I've watched several Monty Roberts programs on the television but what he actually does is still a mystery to me as he never tells you step by step. Clinton Anderson was also difficult to find out about until you actually bought something of his. I like the step by step guide of the games and different levels of parelli, I can tick off each thing as I achieve it and I have found a big difference with the relationship with my horse. It also gives me something to do with him other than ride him. Other books I've read about natural horsemanship gives me an insight but at the end I still think I need a step by step guide to follow so I know where I'm going. I was wondering what problem you ran into and how far did you get with Parelli. I'm still at the early stages so would be interested in others experiences
SnickersMom 171 posts Aug 26, 2008 11:35 AM	I attended a Parelli clinic last May and they REALLY pushed their wares to the max. I was rather disappointed as they just showed their "highly trained" horses and what you can accomplish with your horse by using their methods, but, you have to purchase their DVD's which came to over $800.00 for the whole set. John Lyons also uses his own horses (already trained) on his DVD's to show his methods. For me, I tend to learn faster if a trainer uses a green or problem horse to teach. That way I can see the results (before and after). I've seen some shows on TV where Clinton uses problem horses and I really got lot out of watching him. I love Craig Cameron and Julie Goodnight. In addition, to giving tips on training they also give riding tips. Snickersmom :) Last Edited on 26-Aug-2008 11:38 AM
DixieMom 553 posts Aug 26, 2008 6:21 PM	Try Pony Boy. He demonstrates and breaks it down step by step. I think he explains some of the herd dynamics better than anyone. ---------- Dixie Mom "The art of riding: Keeping a horse between you and the ground!"
FLYINGMANE 6 posts Aug 26, 2008 7:23 PM	I totally agree with you guys. I bought the two series, and enjoyed the 7 games a lot, it help with my mustang. But it is so so expensive! and I wished that I could see a horse from the start, not already trained. I would like to see trouble horses, you can learn so much from that. Myself I need to SEE, all the explanation they offer is nice but I am very visual, and I was decived by the tapes. I do not think I will get their other tapes again. I wish they had people like us (scare of our skin) to show how we could improve personnaly. To me anyway would help alot. I would get an image in my head of what to do IF..the horse does this etc. I also read a lot of books. They after a while pretty much say the samething. I never heard of pony boy before? where can I get more info on this? Last Edited on 26-Aug-2008 7:25 PM
DixieMom 554 posts Aug 26, 2008 8:47 PM	www.ponyboy.com ---------- Dixie Mom "The art of riding: Keeping a horse between you and the ground!"
dog-shrink 350 posts Aug 29, 2008 3:51 AM	The Monty Roberts demo I went to earlier this summer used horses with problems which had been brought in by the owners. He asked the owners lots of questions and then worked with the horse explaining what he was doing step by step. It was fantastic. I have learned most of the methods by watching my trainer which is much cheaper than buying all the gear. I'm lucky to have her I know. Everytime I have a question I send her an e mail or phone. She always gives me great advice.DVDs and books are great but they're no substitute for learning on the job. ---------- Bitless - not witless!
plum1 126 posts Aug 29, 2008 4:10 AM	Parellli is a great horseman, and I enjoyed watching his series which I borrowed from a friend. However I find him a bit hard to follow - my teacher studied with him, and I could really only do the exercises under her supervision. I find Clinton Anderson's approach much easier to follow. He also does use green horses and riders too in some of his series. If you are into trail riding his trail riding DVD set is outstanding.
ladyinblack792 255 posts Aug 29, 2008 7:10 AM	I also went to a Parelli "show" in April and learned a lot but was not really impressed. My trainer uses Clinton Anderson's techniques and has me work with him during the training sessons. She understands that I am still new to Natural Horsemanship and helps me to be better with Chance. If I'm not 100% with things she hapily helps me become better and tells me to e-mail with any questions or concerns. She also leaves me with "homework" :)I don't have all the "goodies" that a lot of people say I should for training but what I have my trainer is very pleased with. She tries to keep it simple and encourages me to visit her farm often to see her work with other horses. :)
AlbuquerqueTrisha 12 posts Aug 31, 2008 6:54 PM	I've got Parelli and Clinton Anderson DVD's and many of the other stuff like halters, carrot sticks etc. But, you are right, they are into marketing and selling their stuff and many of the horses they showcase are very well trained which makes it discouraging for us "regular people". I hate to add yet another name, but Dennis Reis came to Albuquerque last year. He does a "No Dust Tour" and they are in a different city each week-end. They started in Albuquerque. They "line up" problem horses before they come to your city and then they spend a whole week-end working with these very UN-TRAINED, problematic horses. The whole thing is video taped and then they edit and put together a DVD that they send out monthly to their "No Dust Club Members". The charge is $20/mo. When I signed up, I got SIX training DVD's from last year and now I get one monthly. It is neat because it is not a rehearsed "show"...each horse has different "issues" and the training is "real". I signed up thinking I'd cancel after a month or 2, but I learn something new from each monthly DVD I receive. Yes, he does have a "program" that he "hard sells" just like Parelli and Anderson and it is hundreds of dollars. But, I've learned alot from the monthly DVD's and for me, it is worth it.
Bekkie 1 post Sep 04, 2008 7:02 AM	I have only recently moved from the English style of horsemanship to Natural Horsemanship! Since I've started following the Parelli series, I can see the change in my horse as well as myself. I agree that its expensive however with that said I can confidently say that nothing that ever worked came cheap! I find Linda Parelli to be better at explaining the concepts of the Parelli program and methods obviously with her being from the English style background instead of her 'cowboy' hubby himself! Being from South Africa where NH is not the predominant style of horsemanship, I have luckily found a NH yard that is run 10x better than some stable yards I know and the support I have recieved from the owner and clients is outstanding! Thumbs up for Parelli and NH! ---------- On a quest to become more savvy!
demelza 72 posts Sep 04, 2008 10:37 AM	I've also noticed a big change in my horse since playing the 7 games and plan to continue with it,just wish it was alot cheaper. Linda is good at explaining things, such as pedalling with your feet while in walk which results in the riders body relaxing and moving with the sway of your horse. I didnt realise how stiff I sat until I tried it.