Parelli Horse Training

Parelli horse training is a system of horse training that was developed by Pat Parelli.



He has formulated a system of natural horsemanship which is completely bases on the premise that the horse wants to be comfortable all the time and the only way to get it to do the things you want is to make sure that the horse remains comfortable. When the horse is not comfortable, it takes more time to respond and may not respond at all.

Pat Parelli horse training consists of seven techniques which have been formulated in the form of games.



To start off the training, the trainer has to befriend the horse. To establish a rapport with the animal, the trainer has to show the horse that the horse need not be threatened by their presence and that they are someone that the horse can trust. This entire system does not require much equipment, except for the basic training equipment.



The only training equipment that is used in this system is the hand of the trainer, a rope and a wand. Each of these equipments is used in three consecutive training rounds. Parelli has stated that after the horse is through training with the three equipments, more objects can be introduced into the training routine so that the horse becomes desensitized to foreign objects. It is also recommended that when you are using a particular object in the training, the horse should not be moved to the next object until it becomes completely accustomed to the current object.

To build a rapport with the horse, the trainer should start by touching and rubbing the horse. Start off by simply placing your hand on the lead of the horse. Slowly, move your hands around the horse’s body, remaining only around the sensitive areas of the horse’s body. Rub the shoulders and the neck of the horse. Gradually, move your hand to the more sensitive areas of the horse’s body like the ears. The horse, if not ready for your touch, may try to evade it. However, do not yield to the horse and continue to keep your hand on the spot until it stops fidgeting and acknowledges you. While holding on to the lead, make the horse walk in a tight circle. Keep whispering gentle commands in the horse’s ears. Continue to repeat this until the horse tires. Once the horse becomes used to your hand, introduce a foreign object, like a wand or a rope and repeat the entire technique.