IceRyder.net
Icelandic Horse Connection

PNH, Parelli Natural Horsemanship



PNH Level One

1. Approach your horse from at least ten feet. Holding the halter in your left hand, let him smell it. Rub him from head to tail with the Natural Halter. With the halter on the ground in front of your horse, simulate cleaning all four feet from one side. Squeeze chestnuts in front and hocks in back. Show proper way to put on halter and tie proper knot.
****For excellence, tilt head in and down while haltering. Position your horse so that his left side is slightly to the camera before putting on the halter.

2. Show Seven Games on the ground.

Game 1: Friendly Game: Starting on the left side, put the lead rope over your left elbow. Touch your horse from where the apples go in, to where the apples come out, down to where the apples get on the back foot. Do on both sides.
****For excellence. Pass the lead rope from arm to arm. Left the tail using the "special button". Pass politely from side to side. Remember to position your horse for the camera.

Game 2: Porcupine Game: Back your horse by the nose and chest; Hindquarters right, pivots on its right front foot; Forehand right, so the horse pivots on its left back foot; Repeat on the left. Remember to position your horse so that the camera person can see your hands; Sidepass your horse left and right. You may use the fence. Position yourself so that the camera is to your side; Head lower and raise.
**** For excellence Rub first, stimulate, rub to stop and get your horse to pivot.

Game 3: Driving Game: Move horse with rhythmic pressure Forward and Backward Sideways, right and left. You may use fence. Drive forehand without touching Drive hindquarters no touching, "have your horse lung you"; Take one step. (Forwards or backwards)
**** For excellence. Get your horse to pivot

Game 4: Yo-Yo. Back to end of rope and then forward.
**** For excellence. Straightness. Position camera on side

Game 5: Circle Game. Send your horse to the right at a trot. Let the rope pass behind your back three times. Stop your horse and repeat to the left.
**** For excellence. Show proper leg and hand positions (4:00 or 8:00). Keep feet still when horse is on circle.

Game 6: Sideways Game. Start with one-half circle out to the end of the rope. As horse approaches fence send sideways. Use energy as you walk towards your horse. Stop your horse while he is facing the fence.
****For excellence. Keep the front and back moving equally, be at the end of the rope. Position camera to the side.

Game 7: Squeeze Game. Walk forward, turn around and send horse through a three foot gap between you and the fence. Send horse over a jump.
****For excellence. Your horse should pass you with respect. Position camera to your side.

3. Trailer load with a friendly swing of the rope. Your horse should be in the trailer for sixty seconds. Unload without looking back at horse.

4. Mount bareback with help. Your horse should be wearing the Natural Halter and Horseman's String. Camera sees hands on mane and rein.

5. Lateral flexion to right and left using the Horseman's string. Position yourself so that the camera can see your hand above your knee.

6. Figure 8. With Horseman's String on right, walk a figure 8. Repeat at the trot. Put String on the left and repeat walk and trot. Ride toward camera come down to a halt and backup.
****For excellence. Focus and straightness

7. Saddle from the Indian side and show cinching process. Remember, to move your horse before you mount, for safety. Position your horse so that the camera can see the cinch.

8. Mounting. Mount on the right side by looking your horse in the eye, then step up and down in the stirrup three times with your hips parallel to your horse's shoulders. Repeat on left.
****For excellence. Hold rein and mane with other hand on horn or pommel. Reach over and pet horse's opposite side; settle softly into saddle.

9. Trot a figure 8 with the Horseman's String in your left hand and the carrot stick in your right. Reverse and repeat.
****For excellence. Use only the carrot stick by using the right hand when going to the left and changing to the left hand when going to the right. Make sure the camera sees you put your string in you pocket.

10. Simulate bridling your horse from your knees by putting the horseman's string or lead in his mouth.
****For excellence. Your horse needs to cooperate fully.

11. Indirect and direct rein. At a walk, start with an indirect rein to the right, then change to a direct rein and repeat in a continuous flow to perform a complete circle. Repeat to the left.
****For excellence. Your horse pivots on the front and back.

12. Canter. Using a casual rein, ride from a halt into a walk, trot, and then canter to the right and then to the left.
****For excellence. Use the trombone exercise with an indirect rein to slow from a canter to trot to walk, change directions.

13. One rein stop from canter. The "Save your life drill"
****For excellence. Pump your hand three times down rein. Using two fingers and a thumb, bring your horse to a stop and hold for thirty seconds, while looking at your stirrup. Make sure camera can see hand on your knee

14. Trotting task: Trot sitting, bouncing, posting, and standing for at least ten strides each. Go both ways.
****For excellence. Post on proper diagonal, don't hold on during standing trot.

15. Show turns at the trot by performing one-half circles to the right and left.
****For excellence. Focus up and around

16. Nine step backup. Trot a straight line toward camera, go from casual to concentrated reins, stop and back up
****For excellence. Focus and straightness. Get good camera angle to show fingers closing one at a time.

17. Sidepass right and left, using concentrated reins. Do not let your hands come behind the pommel. You may use the fence. Keep camera to your side.

18. Controlled Catastrophe. Help your horse handle the danger. Know when to use the direct rein to face danger, the indirect rein to move the hindquarters out of trouble, or the neutral rein to control a run-away.
****For excellence. Use short reins and keep horse facing the danger. Have experienced helper and be careful during this task. Move side to side if horse does not scare easily.

More Parelli Stuff

Parelli Website

PNH Email List

Good books and recommended reading:

By Mark Rashid:
Considering the Horse
A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color
Horses Never Lie

By Bill Dorrance and Leslie Desmond:
True Horsemanship Thru Feel

By John Lyons, the new series entitled:
The Making of A Perfect Horse;
Part 1--Communicating with Cues
ISBN #1-879-620-55-3

Natural Horse-Man-Ship by Pat Parelli

Clicker Training for Your Horse,
Alexandra Kurland.

By Karen Pryor:
Don't Shoot The Dog

Please use the Amazon.com box below to order:
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