Parelli e-News: SOLVING THE GIRTHY ISSUE http://enews.parelli.com/2008/enews050208.html

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This Week at Parelli...Atwood Open House THIS WEEKEND!Tour Highlights from Harrisburg, PAThank You Harrisburg Volunteers Parelli UK Course CountdownSailing Smart Breeding BookingsItalian Mounted PoliceJune Savvy Club DVD Sneak Peek

Each Week...Q&AUpcoming Events with Pat and LindaCourses at the Parelli Centers RFD-tvLicensed Parelli ProfessionalsMy Story

Just moved in last week! Happy staff ready to support your journey

with more space to work and play at the new World Center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Parelli e-News: SOLVING THE GIRTHY ISSUE http://enews.parelli.com/2008/enews050208.html

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Upcoming EVENTSwith Pat and Linda

2008 USA TourMay 10-11, 2008

Redmond, OR Deschutes Fair & Expo

Hooker Creek Events Center CLICK HERE for highlights from

PA!

Parelli UK CelebrationAugust 9-10, 2008

Birmingham UK NEC Arena

Would you like to help us spread the word in the UK? Wehave flyers and posters of all sizesavailable. Email us onuk@parelli.com, with "UK Celebration Posters" in the subject heading and we will send you your supply to post in your favourite feed store, saddlery, livery and riding centre. Linda and Pat thankall of YOU for being part of this team, making the world a better place for horses and humans!

QUESTIONTali and I are working on Level 2 and I can't believe we have not yet permanently resolved a basic issue - girthing. I have used the 22-foot rope around her barrel and just walked or stopped, tightening and releasing. I have tried all types of Friendly Game, tightened girth in 3 stages, sacked with pad and saddle then left it off to play games, played games with the saddle on, sometimes mounting, sometimes not, making it not be about the girth, but about the relationship, etc.

Tali came to me with this problem due to a previous home where they used poorly fitted tack and the riding was quite stressful. ButI'm taking all of the responsibility not having this resolved yet. WhenI go to saddle, the mare seems to revert back to how she was when I got her - shut down. She's the boss mare in a herd of one geldingand four other mares and is dominant with food and space. She'squite sensitive and also very introverted (very much like Oreo, the Girl Scout camp mare on one of the Savvy Club DVD's) and I sometimes feel she is "reserving judgment" about my leadership - willing to go along with it but not always 100% engaged. If I'm lucky, after about an hour, Tali will stand while I tighten the girth (always in 3 stages). I give her lots of comfort, no pressure, andconcentrate on the relationship. But the next day, same thinghappens all over again. I suspect I need to make a mini-program ofthis but things always intervene (weather, work, etc.). I suspect thesolution is as simple as this, but it's been going on for so long I'm afraid I'm missing something obvious. This has been going on for about a year and both myself and two instructors have tried everything we can think of. We can get it to work once, but notalways and not for good. I would be MOST appreciative of any insights you may have. -Valery

ANSWERThere are three things that might be going on here... dominance,fear or baggage... or a combination thereof! I think you nailed itwhen confessing that you have not made a program of it. This iswhere the solution often lies because in order to change an old habit for a new one, it takes about 21 days or 21 sessions in a row. Thatkind of consistency is what horsemen have, and every single day is all about preparation for the next. I said something similar on ourtour stop in Harrisburg... you're not riding for today, you are riding for tomorrow. That way you'll stop expecting perfection from yourhorse and yourself!

So, if it is dominance you should play with your horse first until she is more calm and submissive and accepting, and then saddle her. Ifshe is introverted, take the longest time and do surprising things like put the pad on her head, on her rump... and wait until she licks

Parelli e-News: SOLVING THE GIRTHY ISSUE http://enews.parelli.com/2008/enews050208.html

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Atwood Ranch NaturallyOPEN HOUSE

This Sunday! May 4, 200810:00am-4:00pmOrland, California

her lips and relaxes her defensiveness / annoyance. Treats workgreat if she is a LB Introvert because it makes it difficult for her to hate you... Love me, love my toys is what you want to achieve. If youare willing to take a lot of time she'll actually respect you for that.

If it is fear then you will need to play on the ground with the saddle... send her to it, allow her to sniff it, paw it, etc. I know,expensive saddles are not good for this, but maybe you can use a sacrificial saddle so she knows she is more important than your tack!Use a lot of approach and retreat and be straight forward yet considerate. She needs to feel your confidence and leadership.

If it is old baggage... the first and second might apply. Try todetermine if it is fear or dominance. When it's fearful the horse shiesaway, is very tense. If it is dominance, the horse is likely to cow kickor bite at you, put her ears back and toss her head. And then ofcourse, take your time and don't judge her for it... feel for her. Whenyou think about some of the equipment and techniques horses have had to bear it is incredible they even allow us near them!

Parelli Courses in the UK 10 days to go!

Do you have a spirit for adventure?Do you want to have fun and enjoy riding out this summer? If so, do we have some special weeks of learning designed with you and your four legged partner in mind.

Our team can help you choose the course most appropriate toensure you leave with skills to ensure you have more fun and confidence riding out! For more information call us on 0800 0234 813.

Parelli Centers

Super LEARNING

UK - Courses Start Soon!Call us on 0800 0234 813

UK Schedule

USA - Colorado and FloridaThere are still spaces available!

USA Schedule

Australia - Only 5 Positions Left!

Call 1800 460 988 for moredetails!

Australia Schedule

Parelli e-News: SOLVING THE GIRTHY ISSUE http://enews.parelli.com/2008/enews050208.html

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THANK YOU to all of the Volunteers and Ambassadors in Harrisburg

Pat, Linda and the whole team appreciate the dedication and commitment that each of you put into the tour stop, together we are raising the level of horsemanship world wide! See you next year!

Next Stop Redmond, Oregon, 10-11 May.

Parelli e-News: SOLVING THE GIRTHY ISSUE http://enews.parelli.com/2008/enews050208.html

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Parelli Professionals at parelli.com

Click here for simple search functions to find Private Lessons and Clinics by Date or Location inyour country!

Next Week on RFD-TV

Linda and Pat Parelli meet two newchallenging horses and learn abouttheir Horsenalities™. Catch RFD-TVon DISH Channel 231 and DirecTVChannel 379.

Click here for more program details.

Italian Mounted Police Practice Parelli

Angelika Schneider, 2 Star Parelli Professional helps the newly formed Florence, Italy PoliceMounted Department understand how to look at life from the horses point of view. Congratulations to all participants, horse and human!

Go to www.parelli-instruktoren.com for more information on your team of Licensed Parelli Professionals who can support YOU with hands on coaching.

Parelli e-News: SOLVING THE GIRTHY ISSUE http://enews.parelli.com/2008/enews050208.html

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Sailing Smart andLiberty Major

Breeding Bookings

Bookings now open for Pat Parelli's two quarter horse stallions, Sailing

Smart and Liberty Major!

Sailing Smart, the father of Smart Seven, is by Smart Chic Olena, the

only horse in history to earn American Quarter Horse

Association world championships in both cutting and reining!

Liberty Major is the father of the two new stars on the Parelli Tour,

Vanna and Aspen.

This special opportunity will be shipped semen only, and is not

limited to the United States.

CLICK HERE for more info

My Story

I would like to share this picture of my daughter, Haley practicing with her Parelli tools. She has since moved on to playingwith her horse and loving every minute of it. Thank you Linda andPat for showing us the way. -Cory and Debbie

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