Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Equine Clinicians Compete

----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda" <Elite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  If  I had to choose just one, it would have to be Parelli, because
> of the creativity you use in training (no bridle, laying down, playing
with
> the ball, etc ) and because of his training levels and testing.

Linda, I have a few more comments on this.  One, is that I am opposed to the
basic Parelli idea that you "play these 7 games."  This is very misleading,
especially to novice horse owners.  In my opinion, they would be better off
from the beginning learning the concept that they better step in pretty
quick and be alpha horse in this relationship, or they are going to get
hurt.  I am very attatched to my horses, give them treats and affection and
lots of praise for doing the right thing, but I do NOT play games with them.

> Not one of these clinicians would tell you your horse is started/broke
after
> 2 days.  What they are showing you is the steps for training, you have to
go
> home and start back at step one and work through them.  They have just
> gotten you through the steps under supervision and in a safe enviroment.
> And just because you buy a few video tapes doesn't mean the horse is
> trained, it takes a lot of hard work.  The people that work at it (read,
go
> to clinics, improve their "feel" with horses) are successful, the people
> that don't think it is a gimick.

Yes, and that is exactly what they want you to do.....spend the $ buying all
the videos and attending all the levels of the clinics.....I will take my $
instead and go horse camping, ride for 3 days, get my horses used to the
world and a whole lot of tired.  THAT is how I have improved every horse I
have had; hours in the saddle.

>     The post that says... "have tried out Parelli trained horses and found
> them to lack respect and dangerous behaviours"  "found lack of safety,
> kneeling in front to bridle"   Again... just because someone bought the
> tapes and wants to say that the horse for sale "has Parelli training"
> doesn't work.   This person obviously didn't put in the time and effort or
> didn't do it correctly.   As far as the safety issue...  this is all what
> you are comfortable with.  I personally like to "think outside the box" as
> far as what my horse and I can do.

We may disagree here.  I am a huge fan of galloping up hills and on the
beach and having fun.  This may be
"outside the box" from what many horse people feel comfortable doing.  But,
I am always aware of the risks and dangers.
It is easy to forget the strength and power a horse has.  I was reminded of
this at the last camping trip when I got lazy and decided to tie my horses
to the trailer for the night instead of setting up corrals.  My old
campaigner mare managed to stretch her neck and lead rope around the back
corner of the trailer (despite my checking all ropes), and ran the trailer
latch bar to the back gate through her halter ring!  She had her head pinned
to the back gate, fighting hard, and I looked at the situation; and how easy
it would be for me to get my fingers ripped off, and ran for scissors to cut
the halter off.  She then manged to BEND this solid steel bar at a 45 degree
angle and get herself loose.  It took the welding shop to straighten it
back.  Horses are strong and powerful enough to main and kill you, if you do
stupid things.

As far as Parelli, I stick to my opinions, based on 10 years of observations
and emails to me from others who dislike his methods.  Over the last year,
Ride Magazine has published his articles and photos.  I find the advice and
language hokey and confusing, and the photos are a study in stupidity.  One
shows a person riding his horse right up to the back of a trailer, with top
of trailer at neck level.....one shows a person driving a horse with reins
in teeth, right on their butt...and one ad shows a CHILD standing on a pony,
with no bridle or saddle, to demonstrate how this formerly bad-actor pony
was reformed.  The child has no helmet, and it enrages me to see a kid put
in a VERY unsafe position to promote these
methods.

I am honestly not opposed to the idea of teaching horses with a kinder and
progressive method.  I also believe, getting back to the original post, that
these clinicians have absolutely no business riding two year olds...I lose a
lot of respect for them for doing that....what we need is a return to
"connon-sense horsemanship".  Even the Gai Wan Ne (sp?) Pony boy, at a
clinic (and he is another "Natural Horsemanship type guy), said, and I
quote, " the FIRST thing you do, is put on a helmet!"

Karen

>
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>  Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
>  Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
>  Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=