| Natural horsemanship has become very popular in the | | | | help you get your horse moving backwards as well as |
| last few years, with Pat Parelli's name at the top of | | | | forward, without having to pull on the lead rope for |
| the list of trainers using this method. He has his own | | | | either direction. You face your horse and get his full |
| unique program in place for horse owners to follow, or | | | | attention focused on you. Leave the lead rope loose |
| to at least take into consideration when working with | | | | and start wiggling your index finger. At first your horse |
| their horses. One of the great things about natural | | | | will not move so take the next step and move your |
| horsemanship is that you can use the methods on | | | | whole arm along with your finger. This will make the |
| your young horse that has not yet been worked with, | | | | rope start moving which should get your horse to back |
| or on an older horse that you would like to help. | | | | up. Eventually, your horse should move back with you |
| Parelli makes getting started relatively easy. He has | | | | only having to wiggle your finger. |
| taken the first steps and made them into games that | | | | The Circle Game is the fifth game and may look like |
| you can 'play' involving your horse. Parelli uses | | | | lunging. In this game you will send your horse around in |
| language and communication that he says is used by | | | | a circle, he will maintain the gait and direction until you |
| horses to establish friendship and leadership. The order | | | | ask him to stop. He should face you and swing his |
| of the games is important so you should follow them | | | | hindquarters away from you. Start by pointing your |
| through from beginning to end. All you will need for the | | | | arm and lead rope in the direction you want your |
| games is your horse, a hope halter and a long lead | | | | horse to go. You may have to encourage him at first |
| rope. | | | | by swinging the lead rope towards his hindquarters |
| The Friendly Game is the first game. This game | | | | with your other hand. Once he is moving, keep your |
| proves you are a friend to the horse and can be | | | | feet still. When you want him to stop, gently pull on the |
| trusted. You should start quietly and with smooth | | | | lead rope and have him face you waiting on your next |
| movements at first, especially if your horse is nervous. | | | | command. |
| Run your hands all over your horse and then move on | | | | The sixth game is called the Sideways Game. This will |
| to using the lead rope. After your horse accepts the | | | | involve things you learned from the Porcupine Game. |
| lead rope, you can add things like plastic bags, blankets | | | | You should use light pressure on your horse's shoulder |
| or anything you have handy. | | | | and hindquarters to get him to move sideways. Move |
| The second game is called the Porcupine Game. This | | | | the shoulder a little, and then even him up by moving |
| game teaches your horse to move away from | | | | the hindquarters. |
| pressure and not lean into it. Use your fingers to apply | | | | The seventh and last game is called the Squeeze |
| pressure, starting with gentle pressure and moving to | | | | Game. Since horses are claustrophobic by nature, this |
| stronger pressure if the horse does not respond. He | | | | may not come easy to some, but it will help your horse |
| will learn that if he moves away from the pressure, the | | | | learn to calmly move through tight spaces without |
| release is his reward. | | | | panicking. Start with a gap between you and a fence, |
| The Driving Game is the third game. This will teach | | | | wall or barrel. Send your horse through by pointing the |
| your horse to move away from implied pressure. You | | | | lead rope with your arm outstretched. Once your |
| will not actually touch him, but will suggest for him to | | | | horse can move through this gap, make the gap |
| move with your gestures. Start out at close range and | | | | smaller and smaller until your horse is just able to go |
| work your way away from your horse. You can start | | | | through without touching anything. This game is great |
| by asking your horse to move his head. Ask him first | | | | for helping your horse load into a trailer. |
| by pushing your hands towards him, but not touching | | | | These games can be done by anyone on any horse |
| him. If he does not move, gently tap him and then use | | | | and will help open a line of communication between |
| stronger pressure until he responds. As soon as you | | | | horse and rider. You will see that these games not |
| get a response, stop and pat him. | | | | only help to handle your horse on the ground, but he |
| The fourth game is the Yo-Yo Game. This game will | | | | will also seem more calm and attentive under saddle. |