Training Video Controversy
In March 2010, a video entitled "Natural Horsemanship the Parelli way!!!!!!!!!!!!!" was uploaded to YouTube, showing founder Linda Parelli showing a student how to be effective with a rope. Some criticized Parelli for pulling hard on the horses halter and accused Parelli of handling the horse in a rough manner, hitting it in the face among other things. Much of the outcry was due to the fact that the horse was blind in one eye, and being repeatedly hit on the face on his blind side with no apparent reason to most seasoned horse people. The video was composed of small edited excerpts from a long-format copyrighted video originally featured in the Parelli "Level 1" Pack which depicts an unconfident student with a half blind horse in an unfamiliar situation. Linda Parelli later issued an explanatory statement to address detractors.
Another video was posted on YouTube in mid-2010 where Pat Parelli is shown working with a stallion using a gum-line and holding up the horse's front leg with a rope. Some have publicly criticized this method as abusive and not "natural". Parelli asserts that the horse was a risk to his handlers and an extreme example of equine behavior.
This video prompted another, more formal, written statement to the public where he says "First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the audience members that were confused by the demonstration methods that in the moment I chose to use on a horse that proved more difficult than anyone ever expected." The video continues and presents a veterinarians report from the British Showjumping Association that states that the horse was found to be fit and well.
The owner of the horse, Robert Whitaker, said he felt the situation had perhaps been blown out of proportion.
Read more about this topic: Parelli Natural Horsemanship
Famous quotes containing the words training, video and/or controversy:
“At present I feel like a caged animal, bound up by the luxury, comfort and respectability of my position. I can’t get the training that I want without neglecting my duty.”
—Beatrice Potter Webb (1858–1943)
“We attempt to remember our collective American childhood, the way it was, but what we often remember is a combination of real past, pieces reshaped by bitterness and love, and, of course, the video past—the portrayals of family life on such television programs as “Leave it to Beaver” and “Father Knows Best” and all the rest.”
—Richard Louv (20th century)
“And therefore, as when there is a controversy in an account, the parties must by their own accord, set up for right Reason, the Reason of some Arbitrator, or Judge, to whose sentence, they will both stand, or their controversy must either come to blows, or be undecided, for want of a right Reason constituted by Nature; so is it also in all debates of what kind soever.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)