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Nancy Slater is a Parelli Professional who has dedicated her life to making the world a better place for horses and the people who love them. Her self-less passion for educating kids as well as demonstrating how a real partnership with your horse can lead to competitive success is what makes Nancy stand out. We could not be more proud to be represented by Nancy as she helps us to teach horse riders, trainers and owners to use love, language and leadership to reach their goals with horses. Thank you Nancy!
Pat and Linda Parelli
Nancy
check in with you. He will feel safer to look in your direction. I call this, ‘asking a question’. Your horse is asking if you are happy with his actions. Your answer, “Yes, I'm here FOR you, my friend.”
He will probably still want to leave, and that's OK. Think how long he's been acting like a scared prey animal and figure you are changing a set behavior; a habit. Whether he genetically is a nervous horse or has been trained through life experiences, makes no difference. We can shape his behavior with technique, natural consequences, repetition, and quality time.
When he tries to join up with us, back away from his nose and head for the tail, staying 5 feet or more away from him. If he runs, think, “OK, let me help you leave,” and repeat the rhythmic pressure with your stick, always keeping him out of your personal space. When he slows and turns, think, 'OK, let me help you come in,” and release him. Repeat. When he comes in, let him rest, but DO NOT pet him. A FULL release is important, and petting is pressure to the RBE.
Ask yourself, does he look like he's trying to be a partner or a prey animal? Respond accordingly. He will probably not be able to pay attention to you for long, so gently send him away. He's either trying to be with you or not. Looking away, is not.
It's hard not to reach out and touch him when he comes in to you looking so cute, but it's important not to. Reaching for him will keep him tight and high headed, and he will probably plow into you. Keep him back. It won't be easy because instinct tells him safety is in the middle of the herd, and you're the only thing in sight to get in the middle of!
We are confidence training. So when your horse settles down and licks his lips, be still.Relax. Allow your horse to explore you, reach out to you, without interruption. He might not do it right away. But he will feel safe to stand quietly with you, instead of running around. Anytime he looks away, gently get ready to move him out again. He'll figure out it's best to focus on you. It feels better.
It's OK when your horse messes up and does the wrong thing. That's how he learns. He will learn that he is in charge of feeling safe when he does listen to you. It's a puzzle he must figure out for himself through trial and error.
Match his energy, savor the moment that he connects with you. Allow that good feeling to wash over him. It's how you make your horse feel that he will remember and matters the most. The wild will calm, the crazy will leave, and anytime your horse needs a refresher, you have the means to get through to the Right Brain Extrovert.
feel safe to stand quietly with you, instead of running around. Anytime he looks away, gently get ready to move him out again. He'll figure out it's best to focus on you. It feels better.
It's OK when your horse messes up and does the wrong thing. That's how he learns. He will learn that he is in charge of feeling safe when he does listen to you. It's a puzzle he must figure out for himself through trial and error.
Match his energy, savor the moment that he connects with you. Allow that good feeling to wash over him. It's how you make your horse feel that he will remember and matters the most. The wild will calm, the crazy will leave, and
anytime your horse needs
a refresher, you have the
means to get through to
the Right Brain Extrovert.