Raise Your Hand if You Love Horses : Pat Parelli's Journey from Zero to Hero

Rating:
Summary: You'll always be a zero in my book...
Review: How can I pick just one snarky title for this made-it-big-rodeo-clown? Here's what one reasonably-priced, results-oriented horse trainer thinks about the profoundy perplexing Pat Parelli and his over-priced and over-peddled training practices and products. Just go to this guy's website and get a load of what this scheister and his marketing guerilla's charge to become inducted into his MLM-like levels program. I don't mean to pick a fight, but someone has to speak up and try to save unsuspecting horse people their time and money. And for you folks who like the guy, that's fine too. If he was able to help you with your horse, that's great - I'm just glad you didn't get hurt - I know your wallet might be a little bruised though. I am in no way ambivalent when I assert that jumping bareback with no reins is only for advanced trainers and should not be on the cover of a training book (Naural HorseManShip - somebody hand this guy a dictionary) intended to be used by lay folks as it may give them ideas about doing things with un-tacked horses that may get them KILLED. The guy's obviously great with horses, but he sure doesn't mind lining his pockets while confusing you about the very NATURE of training and creating expectations that could have you end up in the hospital . . . or worse! Also get a load of this vain jerk at the end of the "In A Whisper" horse training competition DVD. If this guy weren't so comfortable ripping people off, he'd be funnier. My advice - keep your shirt on and ride your horse in a well-fitting, comfortable saddle that is securly attached. Have at least one hand on the reins and make sure you train your horse to stop DEAD when you want or need him to. By the way, Parelli's book doesn't tell you right up front that STOP is really important for your safety that horses are NATURALLY good at GO. If you are going to jump, try to remember to wear a helmet. Remember though, competence is always your best safety equipment. Above all, stay safe - it would be hard to pay your feed bills if you were in a body cast...

Rating:
Summary: Interesting approach
Review: It seems that Parelli evokes strong responses. It is possible that professional trainers are particularly, shall we say, enthusiastic, in their negative reviews, since Parelli regularly refers to them as 'predators'. The book is inspiring. The Parelli approach is logical, methodical and well organized. And, the sentiments that Parelli and his wife express are genuinely moving. Yes, the Parellis are unquestionably master merchandisers and that probably turns some off. But, you don't have to spend enormous dollars to benefit from their training methods. The book is well worth the price simply as a 'read' on horsemanship. The techniques are definitely worth trying. And, as far as I can tell (and in contrast to other reviewers' assertions), it certainly doesn't seem that Parelli is recommending that novice riders hop bareback on a horse with no reins and take off at a gallop. Rather, he offers a very standardized, step-wise progression. The book is well worth a serious read, as are Parelli's seminars. Buy the book, spend a weekend at one of their seminars and decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Pat Parelli is wonderful
Review: The review by Annette E. Winter is bogus, IMHO. Anyone who really knows anything about Pat Parelli knows that her criticisms are false. True, he is a shrewd merchandiser, and personally I appreciate that he has made commercially available products through which he can share his knowledge and experience. You know, it's not easy to make a living out of your love for horses. Pat Parelli has found a wonderful way to do that, and I applaud him. Ms. Winter claims on her web site that she will try to fix your horse problems for free. Yeah, right. Ms. Winter's criticisms are uninformed and catty (my apologies to cats). She even stoops to criticize his spelling. Go to to Ms. Winter's web site and see where she spells "movie" as "move", and "watches" as "wathces", and "however many" as "howevermany". I'm glad that Ms. Winter is a horse lover, and apparently has a lot to share with other horse lovers. She should stick to that and refrain from criticizing others that she deems to be less than her.