Wow. We attended the Parelli tour stop this weekend in Williamston.
I'm fairly new to the Parelli ideas, but the more I learn, the more they just make sense to me. This weekend has really shown me what the philosophy is all about. It's not about staring at your horse's butt to get them to move, it's about your horse understanding you so well that you don't need to push or shove or hit them to get them to move their butt.
So many philosophies seem to be "start with as little pressure as possible and increase pressure until you get a response." That may be all well and good, but what then? You're whacking your horse because they've stopped responding until you use brute force. I saw a Clinton Anderson "starting a colt" series, and he was literally beating the colt in the belly with the stirrups! To "desensitize" him supposedly. Desensitize because he did nerve damage maybe.
I am just overwhelmed by all that I've seen the last two days. Maybe because it was our first up close and personal experience and I got to watch it unfold in front of me. Maybe it feels like this every time. The truth always has a way of making itself known, and I have seen and heard so much of it this weekend.
I loved the demo horse section. I think Pat had a really challenging horse, more so than I've ever seen on his shows. I have a hard time believing that anyone actually rode that horse. He was so scared, and was fighting so much. I really learned so much by watching him, and hearing the process. It really helped me to hear the why's of some of the behaviors, as well. Pat told us today that he was interested in owning that horse, which I thought was fabulous. I really think that particular horse NEEDS Pat right now. He really worked with him a long time, and even ended yesterday's sessions and said "I need to put more love into this horse, and you're free to watch." I don't know how much longer he worked with him last night since we didn't stay much past that. But to have seen all the effort and energy he put into him in those few hours, to know he was interested in buying him, and helping him warmed my heart. It just showed how much he cared for him after only a little while, and how much he wanted to really help him.
He also said that after working with him again a little this morning that he realized he wasn't so much scared as he was just not going to give up his dignity anymore.
Something that really impressed me today was when he brought out one of their younger horses for his first show demonstration. Smart Seven wasn't at all interested in putting the bridle on, and Pat never pushed him into it. So many other people would have tied the horse, and forced it on him, or wrapped a lead rope around his neck and held onto him. To me, to be able to see that not only can Pat tell and explain and show all of these things, he LIVES them was so inspiring! There was no pressure for Seven to put the bridle on, and I've little doubt that if he hadn't accepted it, we'd all be sitting there still waiting on him and Pat would be just as patient as when he started.
I'm overflowing with all the things I've learned and seen the last two days and I can't wait to get started with it all! We bought the Complete Kit, and a spare carrot stick. They were out of the equipment bags and the Liberty & Horse Behavior set, and will be shipping those to us at no extra cost. And today they had a table (at least I think it was only the one table) of shirts for 1/2 price. I'm already thinking that next year, we won't have to buy the complete kit, so I can spend lots more on the goodies on the other end of the arena! Those bareback pads are drool worthy.
My husband isn't a horse person, and he really enjoyed the weekend and even bought a Parelli hat for himself. This says LOADS!
We got home and our 4 & 2 year olds were playing with the carrot sticks. Our 4-year old daughter came in, carrot stick in hand and said "I want to play the right brain extrovert game." I assure you that the last two days are the only times she's heard that phrase! So even she got something out of it. She hung her orange neck tag on her bed post last night and it's there again tonight.
I do have pictures, but after a nearly 3 hour drive each way, both days, I'm pooped and they'll have to wait until tomorrow, but we did get some from today. Brilliant me grabbed the old camera that doesn't work on the way out the door yesterday and didn't realize it until I pulled it out to take pictures. I'd really loved to have gotten some of the demo horse and Pat working with him. But I made up for it today!
All in all, I think it was the most amazing weekend I've had in a long time, and more than once I sat with tears in my eyes. I didn't think I could love my horse any more than I already did. I was so wrong! And our journey's just begun!
