Janet Schrader, Democrat Reporter

For four days, two groups of seven students and their horses strove to understand a new way of dealing with an old issue–training the horse. Wellborn Quarterhorses hosted a clinic featuring a two-star instructor, Kathleen Sullivan, certified by Pat Parelli in the Parelli method of natural horsemanship. Some of the students had already been working with the method and some were experiencing the seven games Parelli style for the first time.



Newcomers and those not yet certified at Level-Two, participated in the Level One portion of the clinic held Feb. 24-25. The seven games were introduced and then elaborated on. In Level Two, held Feb. 26-27, students that had already been certified at Level One were introduced to working without a bridle and even without a halter. Level Two also worked on fine-tuning the seven games.



In Level One the students worked with the seven games, the friendly game, driving game, circle game, porcupine game, squeeze game, yo-yo game and sidepass game on the ground. In Level Two, the more advanced seven students, worked with the same games, but the emphasis was on winning the games. At times, in the Level Two class, the students rode their horses without a bridle.



Sullivan was assisted by an instructor from Canada, Fawn Anderson. Both are certified Parelli instructors.



Parelli’s method concentrates on teaching the horseman to form a better partnership with his horse. By a better partnership, Parelli means your horse is easy to control. He comes to you. You don’t have to catch him. He is willing to move forward without spurs or a whip. He stands quietly for saddling and shoeing. He loads easily, has great ground manners and is willing and cooperative.

The clinic was organized by Andrea Haller of Wellborn Quarterhorses. Haller also participated in the Level Two portion of the classes.



“I wish I had participated in a Level One clinic before I passed my Level One certification,” Haller said. “There was so much I could have learned.”



Haller said the clinic was worth all the time and energy it took to set it up.



Wellborn Quarterhorses plans to hold more of these clinics using the services of different instructors but staying with the Parelli method of training. The facility at Wellborn Quarterhorses includes many great obstacles that are designed to integrate with the Parelli system. These obstacles include a dinosaur jump, a simulated water obstacle, bridges and a variety of other obstacles that help horses learn to relax and work in harmony with their owners. There is an indoor arena and an outdoor one as well as a cross-country jumping course.



If you’d like more information about upcoming events and clinics at Wellborn Quarterhorses call Andrea Haller or Joe Schomburg at 386/963-1555.



Janet Schrader may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 132 or by e-mail at janet.schrader@gaflnews.com.