Reading on the web or scrolling on Instagram you may have gone through some posts about the friendly game or the porcupine game. These two, along with a set of other 5 consecutive games are at the base of a healthy and easy relationship with horses. Regardless of what’s your horse career, he can immensely benefit from solid training bases such as the ones offered by the Parelli Seven Games.
A solid foundation for any equestrian activity
The Parelli Seven Games are a foundational set of exercises in natural horsemanship that were developed by horse trainer Pat Parelli. The games are designed to establish clear communication, trust, and respect between horse and handler, and to create a strong foundation for more advanced training and activities.
The Parelli Seven Games help you and your horse to establish a clear and consistent system of communication and boundaries. Those games help horses learn and respond to their handler’s cues in a positive and respectful way where fear and stress simply do not exist. By teaching the games, you can build a deeper understanding and connection with your horse, and lay the foundation for a wide range of activities, from trail riding and jumping to advanced maneuvers and performance training. Most importantly, the games can help you develop greater confidence in your horse’s movements and trust in your lead. This will enhance their overall well-being and quality of life, in our out the arena promoting balance, flexibility, coordination and strength.
The games also promote mental stimulation by teaching the horse to respond to the handler’s cues and requests, which is essential for safety. A horse that understands the games is less likely to become panicked or unmanageable in unfamiliar or stressful situations.
How to approach the Parelli Seven Games
The first step in teaching the Parelli Seven Games is to develop a relationship with your horse based on trust and respect. Spend time grooming, hand-grazing, and interacting with your horse to build a bond.
Throughout the training process, you can use positive reinforcement to reward your horse for good behavior. This can include praise, treats, or a break from training. When using positive reinforcement, good timing is essential. Reward your horse immediately after performing a positive action.
In teaching the Parelli Seven games, you must remember that every horse is different, and some may take longer to learn the games than others. Be patient and consistent in your training, and always end on a positive note. If you are used to spending quality time with horses, including grooming, it may be very easy for him to go through the Friendly game. You may encounter some resistances in the Porcupine Game, especially when asking your horse to back up. No worries in this case. Be patient and remember to always start with the lightest clue before escalating. With the appropriate time every horse will understand the simple rules to be followed and eventually succeed.
Tip: If you start to feel frustrated, go back to an exercise that your horse is confident with. Set him up for success, reward him and end the session.
If you are new to horse training or feel unsure about teaching the Parelli Seven Games, consider working with a professional trainer who is familiar with the games and can help guide you and your horse through the process.
Check out this interview with Susanne Grun, a heartful horsemanship trainer from Germany. You can know more about her approach to horsemanship and to the Parelli 7 games. Book your one-to-one training with her in Dubai for the season 2024/25.
The tools you need
The Parelli Seven Games should be taught using specific tools and equipment. These tools are advised to avoid causing pain or stress to the horse, while ensuring safety for the handler. Here’s the complete list of tools and equipment necessary to teach the games:
12 ft lead rope:
A long, soft lead rope is often used in each of the seven games that involve leading or directing the horse from the ground.
Tip: Try to avoid the braided polypropylene ropes, opt instead for a cotton one. Using a cotton rope or a polyester one can be a good choice because it has a slightly heavier weight compared to polyester, providing a more noticeable and direct signal to the horse when swinging, for example.
Carrot stick:
A carrot stick is a lightweight, flexible stick that is often used in the Driving Game and other games that involve sending the horse away from you or directing its movement from a distance.
Please note that a carrot stick is different from a whip. The carrot stick is used as an extension of your arm, for example to easily reach your horse while standing at a good distance. The carrot stick doesn’t flex.
Knotted halter:
A properly fitted knotted halter is essential for teaching the games, as it allows you to safely control and direct the horse’s movement from the ground.
The halter suggested for the Parelli Seven games is the one with 2 knots. But you can always use the one with 4 knots that applies slightly more pressure on the nerves on the horse’s muzzle.
Cones, poles, and other obstacles:
These items can be used to set up obstacle courses and other exercises to help develop the horse’s coordination, balance, and responsiveness.
Tip: Be creative! You can use whatever you find at the stables to create an obstacle for your horse. This will also encourage desensitization to different colors and shapes.
Treats:
Small, bite-sized treats can be used as a reward for good behavior (R+) and to encourage the horse to engage in the games. I personally love the Pavo treats. They come in different flavors and my horse loves them. You can buy them from Equestri Online.
Tip: When utilizing positive reinforcement, prioritize lower quality reinforcements such as a break from training, gentle petting on the neck, or small, less sweet treats. Using high quality treats such as carrots, dates, or apples can cause your horse to become overly distracted by the reward, taking their focus away from the exercise itself.
While these tools and equipment can be helpful, it’s important to remember that the most important tool you have when teaching the Parelli Seven Games is your own body language and communication skills. The games are based on the principles of natural horsemanship, which emphasize clear communication and a deep understanding of the horse’s behavior and needs. With patience, consistency, and a commitment to building a trusting partnership with your horse, you can successfully teach the games using a variety of different tools and techniques.
Tip: Record your training sessions and take the time to re-watch them each time to analyze your horse’s movements and your own body language. Based on personal experience, I can affirm that sometimes we as humans need more training than our horse’s do.
Now that we understand why the Parelli Seven Games are important and have everything we need to start playing, let’s take a look at the games one by one.
When starting to teach the Parelli Seven Games to your horse, it is fundamental to consider that before proceeding to the next level (the next game) the horse must be completely comfortable performing what is required at the previous stage. In fact this mini program is structured in a way where every exercise feeds the basics for the next one.
The first game: The friendly Game.
Goal: building trust and confidence through touch and gentle interaction.
The Friendly Game is the first game in the series, and it involves touching and handling the horse all over its body in a non-threatening way. Start by approaching the horse slowly and offering your hand for it to sniff. Then, gradually touch it all over its body using a soft, reassuring touch or the carrot stick to reach the hinds.
The second game: The Porcupine Game.
Goal: teaching the horse to yield to pressure and respect personal space.
This game is one of the fundamental ones between all the Parelli Seven games. The Porcupine Game involves applying pressure to different parts of the horse’s body to get it to yield or move away from the pressure. Start with gentle pressure and gradually increase it until the horse responds appropriately.
Once your horse is comfortable with the Friendly and Porcupine Games, you can start introducing the other games in the series. It’s generally recommended to start with the Driving Game, then move on to the Yo-Yo Game, the Circling Game, the Sideways Game, and finally the Squeeze Game.
The third game: The Driving Game.
Goal: directing the horse’s movement from a distance.
To perform the Driving game, use a carrot stick and gently tap the horse’s shoulders or hinds to encourage it to move away from you. Begin with light pressure, and gradually increase it through the different phases, while maintaining a consistent rhythm. This technique can be used for various maneuvers such as backing up, hindquarter yields, and more. Remember to maintain the same speed and rhythm of pressure, adjusting only the amount of force behind it.
The fourth game: The Yo Yo Game.
Goal: teaching the horse to come toward and away from the handler on cue.
To teach your horse the Yo Yo Game, start by standing facing your horse at an arm’s length distance. Gently wiggle the lead rope to get your horse’s attention, applying more and more pressure until he steps back. Ask him to come towards you by slightly releasing the rope until he takes the first step towards you. This will be the signal for your horse to follow you. Repeat the exercise, gradually increasing the number of steps your horse takes towards you before releasing the pressure.
The fifth game: The Circling Game.
Goal: teaching the horse to move in a controlled circle around the handler.
To teach your horse the Circling game, the fifth of the Parelli Seven Games, start by standing about 1.5 meters away from your horse, facing him. Choose a direction (left or right) and point in that direction with the same hand you’re holding the lead rope. Wait a few seconds for your horse to respond to this minimal cue. If your horse doesn’t start moving in the chosen direction, start gently swinging your stick (held by the other end) from a distance. Gradually move closer to your horse until they move in the chosen direction to avoid the pressure.
To stop your horse from moving in the chosen direction, simply look at their hind legs and wait for them to face you. Alternate directions and gradually increase the distance and duration of the exercise as your horse becomes more comfortable and confident with the game.
The sixth game: The Sideways Game.
Goal: teaching the horse to move laterally and yield to pressure.
The Sideways Game involves teaching the horse to move laterally away from you. To perform this game, begin with you facing one side of your horse. Use your Carrot Stick to apply rhythmic pressure to the horse’s hind, while applying pressure to the shoulders with the lead rope and your hand. In this way you are asking him to move away from you laterally. As the horse takes a step, release the pressure and praise it. Repeat the process on the opposite side, ensuring that the horse maintains a straight and even pace. Gradually increase the number of steps the horse takes, building up to moving its entire body sideways.
The seventh game: The Squeeze Game.
Goal: teaching the horse to move calmly and confidently through narrow spaces.
The Squeeze game is the last of the Parelli Seven Games. To perform the Squeeze game, begin with two barrels or other narrow obstacles set up a short distance apart. Approach the barrels with your horse and ask it to move forward between them by applying rhythmic pressure with your Carrot Stick behind the horse’s drive line. Reward the horse with praise and a release of pressure when it passes through the barrels successfully. Gradually decrease the space between the barrels, building the horse’s confidence and encouraging it to stay calm and focused.
Tip: If you don’t find barrels or any other object to use as an obstacle, no problem! You can use yourself and the arena fence as obstacles. Stand at the chosen distance from the arena fence and ask your horse to pass in between.
How much time does it take – Repetition is key
The time it takes for a horse to learn all the Parelli Seven Games can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the horse’s age, previous training and experience, temperament, and the handler’s skill and consistency in teaching the games.
In general, it’s best to take a gradual and patient approach when teaching the games, focusing on building a strong foundation of understanding and trust with your horse. Some horses may pick up the games quickly and be ready to progress to more advanced exercises within a few weeks, while others may take several months or even longer to master the basics.
The key is to work at your horse’s pace, being careful not to push them too quickly or overload them with too much information at once. Consistency and repetition are also important, as horses learn best through regular, repeated exposure to new concepts and exercises.
The goal should always be to develop a strong and trusting partnership with your horse, based on clear communication, mutual respect, and a positive learning experience.
Learn more about the Parelli Program
There is an official Parelli website that you can refer to for more information about Parelli programs and training. The website is parelli.com and it offers a wide range of resources, including articles, videos, online courses, and information about Parelli events and clinics.
On the website, you can learn more about the Parelli approach to natural horsemanship, including the Seven Games, as well as the various levels of the Parelli program and how to progress through them. You can also find information about Parelli-trained instructors and practitioners in your area, as well as upcoming events and workshops. Sadly I didn’t find any Parelli certified instructors in the UAE.
In addition to the official Parelli website, there are also many other online resources and communities dedicated to Parelli training and natural horsemanship. These can be a great source of support and inspiration as you work to develop your own horsemanship skills and build a deeper connection with your horse.
There are many other ground games and exercises you can do with your horse. If you are looking for some more inspiration read this article about 5 things to do with your horse other than riding and let us know in the comments below what’s your favorite!
