VifArgent Clinic Info

For all clinics, we strongly encourage you to become a Parelli Member so you can have access to continuous support from Parelli and other students as well as a comprehensive knowledge base available online. The first 30 days are free. You will also greatly accelerate your learning if you take time to get acquainted with the educational material available from Parelli (DVDs and books). A list of educational materials and equipment appropriate for each level is available in the Get Started section of this site.

Level 1 Get Started (Safety and Communication) clinic is about understanding "Opposition Reflex" and about learning the basic language of the horse. This is where you will learn to be safe with horses and to start building a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding. You will learn to play the Seven Games with your horse, as opposed to 'working' him! This level teaches you the basic concepts for psychology, communication, partnership and leadership.

Once you realize that Opposition Reflex is the reason you get frustrated, disillusioned, and get mediocre results with your horses, you'll move into a whole new level of understanding about what you need to learn to make incomparable progress ... and it doesn't matter what riding experience level you're at now.

Some of the fundamentals for learning to communicate with your horse more naturally are: understanding prey-predator relationship, opposition reflex, Approach and Retreat, the Seven Games, the Five Zones, the Four Phases, building respect and learning to use the Parelli tools.

The L1/L2 Online (Horse Behavior and Patterns) clinic is designed to give you more information and techniques to help you advance once you have learned to communicate with your horse through the basic Seven Games. Now that you understand the primary principles and language, you can start developing your confidence and your horse's confidence by advancing your ground skills and start having some real fun! This is also a great clinic for those of you who wish to advance past Level 1 with a horse that you are not ready to ride or you don't want to ride.

This is a 2 day clinic on the ground. You must have attended the L1 Get Started clinic or learned to play the Seven Games at Level 1.

The clinic includes more advanced ground skills, more challenging concepts with the Seven Games and the Five Zones, the teaching and use of Patterns, HorsenalityTM information to learn to read and understand your horse, recognizing and addressing thresholds, focus games, how to add purpose to the games with obstacles and the use of the 22-foot line.

Level 1 is your basic alphabet, the building blocks to start forming a partnership with your horse. Now that you have established the beginnings of a partnership and language with your horse, you are ready to learn how to improve the relationship and how to gain a safe and willing partner for riding.

The Level 2 Freestyle clinic is a full 2 days that will cover two Savvys, On Line and Freestyle. Emphasis is on confidence, on preparing your horse for safe riding, on learning to be in harmony with your horse and on how to get your partner to be in harmony with you. Time spent in the clinic will be 1/2 groundwork and 1/2 riding each day.

Some of the things you will learn are: more details on HorsenalityTM and how to get your horse to be calm, trusting, motivated and obedient, adjusting the use of phases depending on the situation, how to ask for positive reflexes, the 8 responsibilities, make vs want. The riding portion of the clinic will explore saddling and mounting like a horseman, pre-ride checks, the balance point, mounting and dismounting (including the emergency dismount), one rein emergency stops, three rein positions to move your horse, how to be a good passenger, gait transitions, and the first riding Patterns.

Riders must be proficient with the natural horsemanship philosophies taught in the Level 1/2 ground clinics and be able to complete the Level 1 self-assessment. Students must also be comfortable walking and trotting their horses in an enclosed area.

Good partners share mutual responsibilities. This clinic explores those responsibilities - both for the horse and for the human. It's about emotional development for the partnership and finding impulsion.

This is an advanced clinic that explores On Line and Freestyle with purpose. You will review on line, and be introduced to more advanced Patterns, advanced freestyle riding and the impulsion programs. Time spent in clinic will be 1/2 on the ground and 1/2 riding.

Things you will learn: transitions on line, changes of direction on line, sideways without a fence, advancing your riding with fluidity, focus and transitions in the saddle, more impulsion programs, advanced Level 2 Patterns, riding the different gaits with fluidity, riding with a carrot stick, introducing the snaffle bit, sideways in the saddle, the 9 step backup, opening and closing gates, trail riding savvy.

Students must be proficient with the natural philosophies taught in the Level 2 Freestyle clinic, be able to complete the Level 2 Online self-assessment and must be comfortable walking and trotting their horses in an enclosed area. Space requirements for this clinic are greater and typically require a larger outdoor arena. Group and location permitting, we may also go on a walking trail ride, the Savvy way!

You have a partnership going and you are ready for more excellence and refinement! This clinic explores how to build an even stronger bond and communication at greater distances and faster gaits on the ground, and how to get better responses, lightness and refinement in the saddle. You will learn the essential skills that take your horsemanship to a level of excellence most people only dream of. This is where you take a giant step towards becoming a horseman, someone who truly understands horses from the inside out and possesses significant skills. Time spent in the clinic will be 1/4 on the ground and 3/4 riding.

Things you will learn: the use of the 45-foot line, driving in zones 4 and 5 and preparing for long lining, lead changes on line, teaching your horse to run to you, Level 3 Patterns, dynamics for canter leads, snappy transitions, bridleless riding, lateral maneuvers, teaching lightness, preparing for Liberty.

Students must be proficient with the natural philosophies taught in the Level 2 Advanced clinic, be able to complete the Level 2 Online and Freestyle self-assessments and must be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering their horses in an enclosed area. Space requirements for this clinic are greater and typically require a large outdoor arena or pasture. Facility permitting, we will also explore playing with your horse at liberty.

Other clinic formats and topics are possible to suit your group's requirements or interests, for example, we can have a clinic focussing on patterns in one savvy at four levels, on liberty, on riding dynamics and fluidity, on gaining confidence as a rider, or just for kids. Contact us to discuss your needs and wants!

What is your horse telling you about how his saddle feels? Do you know that many behavioral issues when riding can be attributed to a saddle that is restrictive, even painful? Not only that, but your horse's posture and muscling are strong indicators of this.

Does your horse have poorly muscled topline... or uneven muscle development? Are his gaits short and choppy? Does he have trouble collecting? Move away when you approach with the saddle? How about a tendency to rush, slow or stop without being asked? Generally dislikes downward transitions?

An ill fitting saddle can damage your horse's health and impact his confidence and attitude with a rider. Choosing the right saddle system can be a complicated endeavor and most people make many costly mistakes as they go through their learning curve.

Learn how to read your horse's body and know what your horse is trying to tell you. Study the changes when a good saddle system is used. We will show you some 'saddle makeovers'. You will be astonished at how dramatic the changes are when you free up the horse's back.

This clinic is more than a saddle makeover. It is an in-depth study of biomechanics, posture analysis, how to make a horse happier and more comfortable, plus information on how you can protect his back when being ridden. You may bring your own horse for a test ride, or watch as we will be using demo horses to learn and demonstrate. Even if you don't bring a horse, you should bring the saddle and pad you are currently using as we will also learn how saddles can also help or compromise you as a rider.

This is a great opportunity to compare different saddles, to try them out to feel the differences, and to witness the effect of different saddles on different horses. We will also discuss why custom made saddles generally won't fit the horse in motion. If you opt for a Parelli saddle system, we will help you select the right width, size and options. For those of you who already own one, we will learn how to fine tune the adjustment for your horse using the pad and shims.

It’s important to remember that buying a saddle, which is often a major investment, deserves great care and thought. A good saddle will last you a lifetime, and will allow your horse to be comfortable, which means he may be more attentive, less emotional, more willing and perform better. How else would you be able to reach harmony?

Saddle Savvy and Makeovers (2 days) - includes theory, simulations, demonstrations, and makeovers with horses. I am trained Parelli Saddle Specialist and have spent extensive time training with Linda Parelli and Letitia Glenn to achieve this certification.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Circling Game (2 days) – this is for many one of the most challenging patterns to do with quality, and it often falls apart when you try to add quantity or distance. We’ll explore horse psychology, tools, techniques, simulations, strategies for different Horsenalities and problem solving. You’ll go home with the information and knowledge to up the ante and develop better rhythm, relaxation, contact and mutual responsibilities.

Trail Riding with Confidence (3 days) – prior and proper preparation for a safe and enjoyable ride out, tips and techniques for negotiating obstacles, what to do in case of trouble, group etiquette, herd dynamics, and games to play on the trail.

Horsenality in Depth (2 days) – learn to read and assess your horse, demonstrations with various Horsenalities, strategies on the ground and in the saddle to play with the horse that shows up and achieve your desired outcome!

Riding with Fluidity (2 days or more) – develop harmony in the saddle by learning how to flow with your horse at all gaits, what you need to do in your body to be in balance and to help your horse move correctly, posture analysis, timing with the foot falls, Steady Rein, adapting your posture to what you are trying to accomplish (Freestyle vs Finesse).

Learning to Jump (2 days) – as you advance in the program, you need to start learning to jump in the saddle. As a trained hunter/jumper coach and former competitor, I have years of experience to share about the art of jumping. We’ll start on the ground and help you and your horse learn to tackle small and medium obstacles with ease and confidence.

Trailer Loading Savvy (2 days) - why would a horse want to walk into a metal trap on wheels? We'll find out how to prepare your horse for the trailer, how to build his confidence loading, unloading and staying inside the trailer, safety aspects of loading and traveling with horses, the knots to know. It's not about the trailer; it's about confidence, respect and winning the 7 Games without making the horse feel like a loser! Come find out how to put the relationship first to achieve one of the most challenging outcomes from the horse's point of view.

Playing at Liberty (2 days or more) – when you take off the lead line, you are left with the TRUTH! Learn how to set yourself up for success by practicing perfectly on line and knowing when your horse is ready for Liberty; how to become irresistible and captivating for your horse; how to be accurate when addressing different zones; the geometry of the round pen; strategies according to Horsenality; the 7 Games and the Patterns at Liberty; all building to a stronger bond with your horse.

To ensure that everyone benefit from their time at the clinic or workshops and that you are all set up for success, be aware that the following rules are in force when conducting a Parelli event. Please understand that these rules exist only to ensure everyone's safety and to preserve the quality of the learning environment.

A rider in the clinic must be using a horse that he can handle comfortably on the ground. Please do not bring a horse that cannot be led or easily touched, or that has no understanding of basic ground education. The horse must be able to be haltered, led, must be used to humans, can have its feet picked up and does not pose undue danger to other participants. Young horses (4 years or less) can be admitted with prior permission by the instructor. If you are not comfortable handling your horse during the clinic, you will have to leave the arena and watch from the sidelines. There will be no refund for riders that leave the arena. Stallions are not allowed, no exceptions. A stallion is an intact male two years older and up, whether used for breeding or not. For all other special requests or circumstances, you must contact the instructor prior to the event.

For clinics which include riding, all horses must be started under saddle and be ridden regularly. Bring a horse you can ride at a walk and trot (on purpose!) and have ridden within the past two weeks. You must bring a horse they you already ride, whether with the rope hackamore or bridle; do not bring a horse you want to learn to ride. Bring the horse with which you feel most safe and confident. You can transfer what you learn to more challenging horses later. Your horse is your teacher, and learning from a “Steady Eddy” (your easiest horse) is what Pat and Linda Parelli recommend.

Kids under 14 are not admitted in clinics, unless it’s a clinic specifically for youth. Participants under 18 must be accompanied and supported by a parent during the clinic. If the parent is not on site during the whole clinic, he or she must be near and easily reachable in case of emergency.

You cannot switch horses or riders during the clinic. If the rider or the horse are unable to complete the clinic, you cannot substitute one or the other. No refunds will be given for riders that cannot complete the clinic as we cannot be responsible for unforeseen events. The instructor can ask any participant to leave the arena at any time if she thinks that the participant is disrupting other riders. No refund will be given in this case, whatever the reason for removing the rider.