The Parelli training method can forge a firm and lasting relationship between horse and rider
Sarah Wearing Sarah Wearing is one of only six 3* Parelli Instructors in the United Kingdom. She has worked with and ridden horses and ponies since she was three years old. She is based at Suddene Park farm, near Burbage - in partnership with Eileen and Peter Devenish who farmed there for nearly forty years and now run a livery yard.
She keeps her own horses there, and she holds training courses and two Parelli clinics a month during the summer.
In the education of young children there are many theories about how to get the best results: names such as Steiner, Fröbel, Montessori, Piaget have all had followers. And so it is with the training of horses - there are several different approaches.
There is the traditional method of 'breaking in' young horses - which takes a lot of time and patience. Then there is the original American ‘horse whisperer‘ Monty Roberts whose representative in the UK is Kelly Marks with her Intelligent Horsemanship scheme based in Lambourn.
There is Gary Witheford - based near Burbage - who is known as a 'horse whisperer', but prefers his skills with horses of doubtful temperament to be known as 'natural horsemanship'. And there is Parelli.
The Parelli organisation was founded in the United States in 1981 by Pat Parelli - a life-long horseman, horse trainer, rodeo rider, cowboy and teacher. In 1993 his wife Linda joined the Parelli organisation. The Parelli method is becoming much more popular in Britain.
The Parelli approach relies not on training horses, but teaching each horse owner to become their own horse trainer - and to build a relationship of trust and communication with each horse. It also uses the term 'natural horsemanship'.
Horsemanship skills are taught in the Parelli programme, but the foundation of the method is the relationship with the animal. It enables horse lovers at all levels and in all disciplines to achieve a series of steps: success without force - partnership without dominance - teamwork without fear - willingness without intimidation - and harmony without coercion.
Parelli uses specially designed halters that are hand-tied with knots in strategic places. They are made from high-quality, light-weight yachting rope, which is soft and strong and comfortable for the horse.
Parelli also uses a 'carrot stick'. This is not a whip. Sarah Wearing describes it as "An extension of your arm - a communication tool through touching". She explains that as horses are long and upright, and the long 'carrot stick' "Levels up the playing field" for horse owners.
Sarah has wide experience in horsemanship having competed in dressage, show jumping and eventing, riding in teams and individually. Since 2007, she has trained with Parelli at the organisation's Colorado, Florida and Stoneleigh training centres.
When Marlborough News Online caught up with Sarah at Suddene Park Farm, she was showing a class of horse owners how to turn their horses: "If you control the hindquarters of a horse, you can control the whole horse."
 This is how to do it... |  ...it's not as easy as it looks... |  ...that's got it. |
She teaches many first time owners, as well as people who come back to riding after a break. She believes Parelli not only allows people to have a good relationship with their horses, but it also helps to build riders' self-confidence.
Sarah Wearing explains her belief in the Parelli method in convincing and practical terms: "If everyone used Parelli, everybody - including the horses - would be a lot happier and the world would be a lot safer."
 What's next? |