What do you think?

Personally, I like Monty Roberts very much. Kelly Marks who learnt from him is OK, but its him I really like and who I really think knows what he's doing.

I don't really rate Parelli at all, they do stunts as well which is just something I don't really get, they've just never really impressed me the way Monty has.

I think Parelli may have overtaken Monty now in terms of being well known, and there are other less wellknown people, where do you stand on this?

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It depends which branch of "natural horsemanship" you mean.

I have done 4 levels of parelli when i was a teen, i enjoyed it, but i only did what i needed to from all the packs.

The big problem is the Parelli programs dont actually explain a lot, which for a novice owner who doesnt understand horse behaviour at all, it can send some VERY bad messages.

In the first level, it tells you how to give the "schwarzenegger look" which, at the time i had no idea what the hell the look was supposed to be [even though i knew of Arnie]
This is actually squaring your shoulders, maintaining eye contact etc, but for a lot of people, they dont understand this.

I know of a few people who did a tiny part of level one, then suddenly thought they could cure horses problems by using the "schwarzenegger look" and other stupid ideas they had got from the parelli program. Needless to say they all made the problems worse.

I only did the things i wanted to with my horses. I have had a very good understanding of behaviour since i decided to look into it when i was about 10 [yes, really!] i found a lot of the things were gimmicky, and i just had no need to do it. I used some of the 'tools' they preach for horses problems, and thats about it.

I think it is crass that they try to say that you can only do these 'amazing' things if you buy their silly priced equipment. Yes i still have my parelli equipment, but i never need it. I suggest people think very carefully before doing the programs, and never ever ever think you are some behaviorist after completing a few levels!


I was very into Monty Roberts, which is where i found my love of wanting to help 'remedial' horses.
Sadly, i did find out the 'truth' about him, so i lost all respect for the man. Kelly takes the methods a lot further, i have met her a few times and she is a lovely person, and Pie is just gorgeous!
Over the last few years, monty has got far too commercial, and is actually much 'harsher' then he used to be, which saddens me. I do not go to see him tour anymore because of this.

The 'methods' they both use are very good, and 99% of them are effective for an english horse. I used a lot of their methods working with horses issues, and still do today.

I also very much like Paul Williamson. At first i wasnt so sure about his methods, until i spoke to him over email in great depth about the behaviour and psychology behind his methods, and it seemed to actually make a lot of sense.
His methods involve taking away the horses flight reaction, which 5 years ago i would have said was cruel, however it is actually very very effective for a lot of horses.
I have used his methods also with young horses who others had used all these 'natural' methods, where the horse was either fully messed up, afraid, or knew how to take advantage. It worked, and that's all that matters.


Shall stop there.

What do you feel in particular are the areas Monty has got harsher with? I just don't see much point to some of what the Parelli techniques are and I've sat and watched Pat and just thought

I think they are possibly even more commercial than Monty too now. They have their face everywhere and at the British Open I got two free Parelli hats, two Parelli Pens, two Parelly key chains, two Parelli cards, two Parelli coasters, two Parelli CD's etc, so much merchandise being given out for free.

For me Monty is probably the best I've seen but I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of everything he does either but he seems more to cover what is needed for each horse etc whereas Parelli is more random fun things you can do but I don't find them fun haha

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Parelli have always been too commercial, that's their biggest fault

In general he seems to be too quick these days. Back when he first started getting known, he was very patient and would take a lot of time, even at demo's to make sure things were done right.
The last time i saw him, he was very harsh with a horse that was a bit timid of him. He applied stronger aids then needed, but it was easy to tell he was trying to make sure the job was done within the time slot of the demonstration by being a bit too overly in the horses own space. Quite a few people noticed this too.

I've used the methods Monty claims are his own for years now and with great effect. His are about general handling and understanding their language, whereas things like parelli are more about gimicks.

Not a fan of either to be honest. I actually think Kelly is a better horse'man' than them both, obviously all she's learnt is through Monty Roberts but she has her own take on it and of the books I've read (which are alot!) her's has more practical sensible advise. If you like Monty have you heard of Richard Maxwell (Max)? I've seen a couple of talks by him and had my horse's back treated and I found him very informative and he gave some good advice. He's not full on MR but has his own take on things.

Pat and Linda Parelli are nothing but circus ringmasters in my opinion and I wouldn't ever follow a word of their 'advice', my horse does not need to run around 'playing' (I don't think forcing a horse swerve and stop unaturally has anything to do with play!!) with me to have a bond, and I certainly don't need to teach him to stand on barrell's!!!

I like to read what I can about horse training and handling, I take what I need and think will work for my own horse from many places. I would never religiously stick to one type of training as I believe nothing regimented will ever work with animals. You have to be flexible in handling them and I will never restrict mine and his learning by limiting my mind to one person's teachings.

I've seen one woman who was so indoctrinated to Parelli that when her horse rebelled against the training she sold him. This horse was a wonderful, gentle and loving creature and because some DVD told her he was responding incorrectly she labelled him 'bad'. More fool her because the person who now handles the horse has a fabulous partner and enjoys her life with him.

Richard Maxwell is a whole other story

I agree about Kelly, she is wise and seems to go much deeper with equine related issues, not just the behavioural side.

Hopefully some people are now waking up about Parelli after the recent outburst about Linda.

I love horse behaviour and think it is fascinating

I really like Kelly Marks and have a few of her books! I think the better thing about her to others is that she makes sense without all of the technical words and descriptions and she also helps with the rider and their confidence!
Before readin her book "ride with confidence" I had serous issues with my confidence of any horses over about 15hh, I now own a 16.3 tb Mare and I am fine!
I think personally it is all about treating them how you would want to be treated and letting them come to you to show them not to be scared which I think Kelly Marks does very well! I have had my new horse 4 months and she trusts me to the point she will lead herself in from the field and wont leave my side, if I walk, she walks, if I stop, she stops.
And as for selling your horse for not training well with the parelli? Who blames the poor horse, some of there stuff is pretty confusing!!

when i got into training horses i was thought about the dually halter and his methods.

then i discovered Clinton Anderson. much better. easier to learn. and you havnt got to keep yanking on and great big clumpy dually halter!!!!!

through Clinton Anderson i have taught my miniature 9 month old colt who is now nearing 3yrs everything he knows. lunges like a dream, side pass, back up, loads, jumps, easy to move around and much more completly de sensited to more things horses would run from, e.g hedge cutter,fire,motor bikes passing at speed, fire works etc etc.
much better then monty in my opinion.

so if anyone wants to buy a black dually i have one for sale VGC.

but look up clinton anderson on youtube. i am big on my ground work. not really done much of his riding training so i wouldnt know how that fair's