[4horsem0m]

I am delving back into the world of Parelli, I strayed and am coming back. My horse and I have been doing great this last 2 weeks since borrowing level 2 from a friend. We have quite the history, long story short I had a trainer working with him, she kept him on a tight rein, was heavy handed, they would get into heated battles and she would make him do as she told him. He hated her and I finally listened to my gut and put a stop to it. He reared up on me one day, so fast and hard that it is only a miracle that he didn't go over backwards and smash me, my girls witnessed the whole thing and how he teetered backward before coming down on all 4's.

Suffice to say I lost my cool and began to work his butt off. It got to the point that he wouldn't circle, I would point and follow the phases, followed by a sharp whack on the neck/shoulder. I tried to outlast him and this went on for a half an hour and he wouldn't move, but rather, stand, stare at me and face me until finally he charged me. (six months ago) I got on him the next day bareback in the roundpen, because had I not, I would have gotten rid of him. He then went outside to be a horse for about a month. I brought him back up to the barn and "tapped" (hybrid horsemanship) him, major improvement in attitude, things got better.

Anyway, we are rebuilding the relationship, he chooses to be with me and in all ways has softened. He is starting to not go anymore when we circle. He has a new trick as of last night, while riding on a lose rein like we've been, he keeps stretching his head down to the ground (like he'd be snatching grass), I would just let him, but he stepped on his slobber strap last night and scared me. He doesn't freak out, but instantly drops his head and backs up.

I would really appreciate the help from fellow Parelli people. I know there are varying opinions on him/his techniques as a trainer, but he is the one I prefer over the rest. Thanks!

[KristinJ]

I am not a Parelli person (never studied it) so you can just ignore this as I might be totally off. But if he is stretching down to eat, can you just push him foward and lift your hands up a tad to discourage this, and tell him 'work time now not food time?'

[JBandRio]

This is a point where you have 1 of 2 choices, IMVHO:

1 - seek the help of a high level certified PNH instructor. Get to one of their clinics if you can.

2 - realize that not all horses at all points in time can get through a phase with a strictly PNH approach. Just because something isn't PNH in particular, or NH in general, doesn't mean it's not "NH" in concept and good and correct and kind for the horse.

The latter is a revelation I arrived at a few years ago. No matter how much I wanted to be pure PNH for a while, it was not not not doing my horse any favors at that time. He was not learning to use his body correctly, and it was causing harm. I had to go the more traditional approach, but that does not mean it was bad/harsh/mean/rude. Classical Dressage training, done correctly, is very similar to NH in its basic form.

[4horsem0m]

I am not able to get professional help at the moment, we are pretty strapped for cash.

We were in the arena and he wasn't actually eating, just looking like he was.

JB, what would you suggest? Speaking of your number 2 above, how would you handle it. I have figured out that he is a left brain introvert if that makes any difference. I do realize that not every method is going to help every horse, but I want to keep it as non "cowboy" like that I can. (If that makes any sense?)

I would love dressage training, it is actually what I would love to pursue. Not to compete, but just for better communication between my horse and I, dressage is beautiful.

[JBandRio]

In that case, then I agree with Kristin's comment - a little up-poke of one rein (just 1) and a little boot forward.

[4horsem0m]

Two steps backward, one step forward. Last night was pretty good, only a few times of tossing the head down. I'm thinking he's getting bored out of his mind. We both need a trail ride in the worst way.

[MuckMuck]

Originally Posted by 4horsem0m

I am not able to get professional help at the moment, we are pretty strapped for cash.

We were in the arena and he wasn't actually eating, just looking like he was.

JB, what would you suggest? Speaking of your number 2 above, how would you handle it. I have figured out that he is a left brain introvert if that makes any difference. I do realize that not every method is going to help every horse, but I want to keep it as non "cowboy" like that I can. (If that makes any sense?)

I would love dressage training, it is actually what I would love to pursue. Not to compete, but just for better communication between my horse and I, dressage is beautiful.

I can think of a LOT of gentle "Cowboys" that love horses more than life itself and are some of the kindest people that I know.
Have you read ANY of the writings of Ray Hunt or Tom Dorrance?

[4horsem0m]

Originally Posted by MuckMuck

I can think of a LOT of gentle "Cowboys" that love horses more than life itself and are some of the kindest people that I know.
Have you read ANY of the writings of Ray Hunt or Tom Dorrance?

No, I haven't actually.

I have just seen the two extremes, the NH and the old fashioned cowboy. I have a friend who trained for years (about 20 years ago) who said that she had a horse that wouldn't lower it's head, she used a baling wire noseband to get her point across. I guess that's what I mean by "cowboying". I don't want forcing so much as I want communication.

[MuckMuck]

4horse,
I would encourage you to investagate the subject a bit further.
There are many horseman "Cowboys" that use gentle training methods and revere the horse.