Hello from Pagosa Springs!

I know that Amy has written 2 amazing blogs so far about what our experience on the Parelli ranch has been like… and because I don’t want to repeat all the same stuff, I thought I would just add my take on some things!

I’ll just stick to today since that is fresh in everyone’s minds…but where to start since we were in fact there for 12 hours?! I’m not sure that Amy has filled you in on ALL the equipment we were required to purchase upon our arrival yesterday, so let me do that now. Keep in mind that the type of structure taking place on the Parelli Ranch, is similar to both a university and a karate class, all rolled into one. Similar to a university in that you start in a freshman or a beginner level class and can work your way up, spending what would probably be equivalent to going to medical or law school by the time you’re done. How can it also be like a karate class you ask? Well, this brings me back to the ‘equipment’ we had to purchase, and included in that were not 1, but 2 things they refer to as ‘savvy strings’. They are basically little pieces of rope with a fancy piece of leather at the end, that you must a) attach one to your belt loop at all times, and b) attach one to your ‘carrot stick’ at all times. The savvy strings that Amy and I are allowed to wear around are white (sort of like a karate belt that you wear for all to see when you first start). Our white savvy strings mean that we know nothing basically. We are measly little freshman at Parelli University. As we progress (or if we progress, fingers crossed!), we aspire to someday achieve red savvy string status (just as someone would strive for a black belt in karate!) The people walking around with red savvy strings are few and far between, and pretty much stick with the others from their coveted club. (It’s really not THAT bad, but you get the point right?) So this morning before I headed out to see my best girl China, I figured I’d better use the restroom before we got started in class. Did I mention that this savvy string is attached to my pants, and is about 5 feet long? Let’s just say that is was a REAL close call there in that little bathroom stall, and I almost lost my savvy string in the depths of the toilet. Awesome way to start day 2 wouldn’t ya say?! 🙂

Amy mentioned all the stuff about Missy being used for the demonstration, and then proceeding to almost DIE from the emotional distress of putting on and taking off a halter. Haha! She also mentioned that we began to learn Parelli’s ‘7 Games’, of which I could only remember 1 and 6 when I was left to do them on my own– but lucky for China, game 1 is called the ‘friendly game’ where you basically just pet your horse over and over again. Game 6 is one where you actually have to ask your horse to do something, taking a sidestep actually, and both China and myself were pretty sick of sidestepping after 2 hours to say the least. My goal tomorrow is to try to be a better listener!

The highlight of the day was of course when I got to meet the man himself, Mr. Pat Parelli. Amy also summed this up beautifully, but I would just like to add that I think he is a true pioneer in every sense of the word. And not just in teaching natural horsemanship, but in life lessons as well. So far Mr. Parelli has taught me to think, act and work differently with my horse (which is fantastic seeing as how my co-workers are after all, HORSES!) And most importantly, that if you have a passion for something nothing should ever stop you from achieving your goal. A little cliche I realize as I type this, but it is very inspiring to meet someone who has done EXACTLY what he set out to do.

On that note, good night and thanks for reading!

-Jenn

Filed under:
Parelli Natural Horsemanship by amy