Parelli Tips: Success Series - "Seven Games"

"The Seven Games" DVD

• The Friendly Game: 
• try putting your fingers in and around your horse's mouth
• if he's nervous, fling the rope behind you (away from them), taking the pressure off them
• when he back's up, let the rope slide through your fingers while appling some pressure
• rub your horse when he's good
• retreat when he's afraid
• The Porcupine Game:
• when he moves, stop the pressure and move
• rub before and after so your horse doesn't hate your touch
• The Driving Game:
• drive at your horse, if you run into him before he moves, then just turn it into the Porcupine Game
• you can touch him at the beginning if he doesn't respond but soon, he'll learn what you want
• get more vigerous in your driving as you get closer to him and he doesn't respond
• don't follow him, driving, if he responds and backs up
• if your horse if facing you, drive at him and roughly tap him on the nose or swing the stick at his chest
• if you want to move his back end, you can hold him at the front, lean over, looking at his hind quarters, and gently swing the stick at the back end
• The Yo-Yo Game:
• drive your horse out of your personal space before wiggling the rope
• if your horse doesn't stop when you stop wiggling stand still. If they just keep going, go with them a bit not to trap them
• to pull him, let the rope slide through your fingers, hand over hand and apply pressure until he responds
• if he backs up and won't come in, move to one side until he has no choice but to move and come to you
• if your horse won't go back, first, go back to the Porcupine and Driving Games and review, then, try "putting your ears back" and wiggling the rope until your ferociously swinging it
• when he goes back, you stop wiggling!
• The Circling Game:
• first, master porcupine (backing up), driving (backing up) and yo-yo (backing up) to get him on his circle
• then point with your arm which way you want him to go and use the stick to give him energy on his back end
• 2 or 3 times max; or it will get to boring (like lunging)
• to stop him, look at his hind quarters; pull on the rope a little; wiggle the rope to get him to stop if he won't
• if he stops, resend him
• The Sideways Game:
• (1) send him sideways; (2) drive front end, back end, front end, back end, front end, etc.
• if one end is not paying attention, give it more energy/driving
• yo-yo or have a fence if he moves forward
• The Squeeze Game:
• point with your arm which way you want him to go and use the stick to give him energy on his back end
• yo-yo to stop him

• Have your horse pretty much master the first 3 games (the basics) before going to the next 4
• if you have an agressive horse, you can play some of these games outside the fence till he realizes you arn't against him
• Go in phases (ex: when backing him up, press your fingertips on his chest until he moves. When he does, release the pressure. If he doesn't move after about 3 seconds, press harder)
• give him energy in all the games for more "go"