One thing I've noticed about Parelli in particular is that he encourages
spending time with your horse in other ways rather than just walking into
the pasture, grabbing your horse, tacking up, riding and then coming home and
putting him back.
I know that many horses respond very well to that. They get that they
have a 'job' and are happy to do it.
But for me, having a true companion means so much more than
that. I have always taken my mares for long hand walks on the
trail. Long before I ever heard about Parelli, I have
always found it a way to 'bond'. You're at eye level and interacting, and
both having a very nice time. I chat with my girls, let them eat grass,
offer a few carrots. It's good exercise for me and I get plenty of
comments. 'Aren't you supposed to be riding that horse?' to 'Why are you
always walking your horse?' or 'Is it lame?'
I just enjoy it. I also go into pasture and play soccer with my
horses. They love it. It gets them running and tossing their heads
and again it's good exercise for all of us. I do other stuff, too.
Now you may think I'm a nut case, but I do ride too. >g<
And when I step into my pasture my horses come running......I guess because
they never know what's on the schedule for that day.
Who knows, maybe Suzie Kelly does some of these things with her horses,
too.
Btw, Parelli's first task in Level 1 is to go into your horse's corral with
a seat of some kind (sit on the fence if you don't feel safe in the
corral) and just sit there....for about an hour, I think. Don't touch
your horse. Let him come to you and explore you in his own
time.
Some people may consider this a waste of good time but I guarantee your
horse will think of you differently and if you don't go for anything else
Parelli, I do believe that spending play time with your horse is of benefit to
all. :-)