Pat and Linda Parelli have made immense contributions to the world of horsemanship.
If we were making a Pros versus Cons chart, all you’d need would be Robin Kroc’s testimony
(see articles) to be convinced Parelli is ALL GOOD.
But there are those who disagree.
So in the Parelli tradition of catch phrases and acronyms, let's call them PPP, Parelli Party Poopers.
Here are some snippets from around the NickerNews ibarn:
- If I hear or read the word “Savvy” one more time, I’m going to toss my computer out the window!
- If you can’t say “Prior and
Proper Preparation” five times fast, do you get booted down the Level
One? If you don’t cheer “Savvy” at the end of every class do you get
kicked out of the program?
-
I’m going out to feed my horses now, is there a certain Parelli way I should handle it?
-
Parelli People are awful religious sorts. They follow their leader with vigor and conviction. And no other God will do. So if you pray the right way, are you a better horseman?
- I know NickerNews probably feels it benefits readers to hear all about Pat and Linda Parelli’s program and how fantastic it is. But let me tell you, for Yours Truly, it’s over the top. I feel like I’m being dragged along on a pilgrimage!
- Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for learning good horsemanship. And we all know Parelli has brought natural horsemanship mainstream and made it accessible to the masses. But all this cheeriness has got me ready to smack someone.
- Parelli is the king of catch phrases and logos. Heck, it seems like the horse world is built on them...Clinton Anderson has the No Worries Club... John Lyons has the Replacement Concept (among others)... Chris Cox has “Building Confidence Through Knowledge.” ...Even Maine’s own Chris Lombard has them: "Helping Horses and People to Build Trust at All Levels"
...But how about ‘
Get er done
’? Or, ‘
Be nice, but not too nice.’
I personally do not care for all the catch-phrases and acronyms that are so popular with the Parelli's...as well as I also cringe every time I hear the word "savvy," but the Parelli's do reach thousand of folks who need help with the relationship with their horse...and that's what matters most. It is a matter of realizing you need help and then finding a trainer that fits your personality. I do not care to listen to some of the trainers out there...they have turned me off at one point or another...either their wording or their actions or they just plain "bug" me. That's my choice to not listen. In the end, I praise everyone who tries to better themselves so that they can better their horses...no matter who they choose to learn from and follow.
On the contrary - I think there was one very constructive critique - "And we all know Parelli has brought natural horsemanship mainstream and made it accessible to the masses. " - However I reserve judgment on Parelli- Don't you think it would be wise to consider,research and try what works and NOT devote you and your horse to one particular way? What happened to just enjoying your horse? I read my boys ALL the time- we have conversations on a daily basis - I always tell my friends "well he told me...." try it - ask them some morning how their night was - I'm sure they get their point across one way or another and you deal with it....
The Parelli system is based on increasing phases of force. To the horse this boils down to "do it, or else". This is a system of domination, forcing the horse to submit. Some horses submit easliy, others rebel. There are ways to get willing cooperation from your horse without force. Just read anything by Leslie Desmond to discover what a real partnership looks like.
My husband and I had the dishonor of working for the Parelli's for more than a year. Both Pat and Linda have god complexes. They don't care about the average person who spends money they really don't have on dvd's and equipment and follows them like a cult. If that person doesn't stick with the program, there is always the next sucker in line. All about the money. We also attended the Tom Dorrance benefit with the real horsemen of the world and it was embarrassing to watch Parelli get reprimanded by Ray Hunt.
I am totally for pat and Linda - they are indeed managing to change the world and the disgusting way that so called 'Horse Lovers' treat their horses! For goodness sake - stop trying to find stupid and nasty comments to say about them - go get a job, or if you are not interested, keep your bloody nose of of something you know nothing about!
Lets look at the positive here - Pat and Linda have saved many horses lives through their programme - give them credit not abuse, people like you guys who criticise the programme have not been involved or seen it for what it is. I have just lost my mare which I have had for 11 years, she was going to be shot because she was so dangerous - Pat's programme saved her so keep you comments to yourself - it makes me bloody angry!