Horse Behavior Specialist
Licensed 2 Star Parelli Professional
www.nancyslater.com
46 / Sport and Trail Magazine
I am always willing and open to stretch myself and my horses, and claim to be nothing more than a good student in the presence of a good teacher.
The Parelli International Instructors Conference and Horsemanship Gallery was held at the Parelli Campus in Ocala, Florida this year. 40 Instructors, from all over the world came together to ride with Master Horseman, Pat Parelli. As Licensed Parelli Professionals, we are expected to keep close to the source, to keep current, move forward, stay connected, better our teachermanship, and of course, our Horsemanship abilities. One thing I heard again and again during those 2 weeks was that harmony is the goal.
Remington, my young rescue horse, was my horse of choice to bring along and develop further under Pat's guidance. He has been a challenge to keep from jumping out of his skin at times because of unconfidence issues. Especially sensitive to new things, changes, and perceived danger, he is what we call an Extreme Right Brained Introvert.
Remington was an untouched 7 month old youngster who, along with his half sister and 3 other colts, were destined to be destroyed because they were young, wild, and taking up space. I found homes for three of them, and brought 2 home. Remington's sister is pretty confident by nature and was not too difficult to tame and train, but not so for sensitive Remington!
I am always willing and open to stretch myself and my horses, and claim to be nothing more than a good student in the presence of a good teacher. I feel that if you set your thinking in this way, you set yourself up for success and growth.
I work hard to prepare myself and my horse. I practice good habits and skills, and have been encouraging my young horse, Remington, to always stay calm, connected, and TRY for me. I felt both Remington and I were ready, willing, and able. During our experiences in the Parelli Horsemanship Gallery, more than one person noticed that connection Remington had with me.
Our first days were spent in the classroom looking to the future of Parelli and how we might better help horse people, no matter how much they could afford or where they lived. We checked out the new digital Savvy Club and how simplified the pathway to partnership with horses is now, enabling students to easily progress without stress. The newest version contains all of the Parelli training videos ever produced during the last 35 years!
On the following Saturday, Pat held a playday and Member Appreciation Do open to the public. The Instructors coached 50 riders, providing strategies for horse behavior in 4 Savvies to all. Again harmony was the goal! The Instructors designed a Parelli Games event where people could compete using the 7 Games in 4 minutes with obstacles, on the ground and under saddle with their horse. A great time was had by all! Pat sent me out on Remington to take a group of riders out on his Adventure Trail. I helped riders be supportive leaders to their horses cross country. At one point, a horse was getting somewhat out of control, and I had the rider position the horse's nose on Remington's tail. He was my rock, quiet and obedient, as we helped with that horse's tailgating issue.
Pat had us the following week working our horses on many mental, emotional, and physical levels. We
We got them moving freely forward, then bending and relaxing at all speeds to leg pressure all over the pasture. Instead of pulling or kicking we would lift or push to get the horses calm, connected, and responsive. Some of the Instructors rode rescue horses, young horses, like myself, and borrowed horses. That first day was a bit of an emotional stretch, to say the least, as horses and humans searched for harmony.
Photography by Coco