After watching training videos from both Clinton Anderson and Parelli, I have to say that Clinton is much much better than Parelli. We bought both Level 1 and Level 2 from Parelli and ended up selling them on eBay. We have about 6 DVD sets from Clinton (each about $130 or so) and absolutely love him. I think we may have all of Clinton’s videos except the newer ones on bridleless riding, which I would love to get.
Surprisingly, both Clinton and Parelli pretty much teach exactly the same material. You wouldn’t know it at first since they seem so different philosophically. But Clinton is so much better at teaching the material. I found myself fast forwarding through much of the Parelli videos because they were so slow and boring. I suppose if you’re brand new to horses and natural horsemanship, the Parelli videos would be good. Clinton is jam-packed with information, he’s entertaining, and he’s crystal clear.
I do need to clarify one thing. Most of the teaching on the Parelli videos is done by Linda Parelli. The few segments done by Pat are excellent. So I should say Clinton Anderson is much better than Linda Parelli. Unfortunately, Pat doesn’t seem to have much time on the Parelli video series.
Now here’s the funny thing. I think Parelli’s level assessments are a great way to self-test yourself. In fact, I plan to get Parelli assessments for at least Level 1 and Level 2, but use Clinton’s training and approaches.
Hey, I was just browsing your blog and I came across this post! If I absolutly had to choose a natrual horsemanship trainer, it would be Sarah Westfall. She went to the same college that I did and she is awesome. She doesn’t proclaim to be a “natural” horseman, she just says that she does what she has figured out what works. You should see her ride bridleless and saddless! Really cool!
I have never been a Parelli fan.
But picking between the two of your choices I would choose Clinton too! Plus he is cuter!!
By: Andrea on May 8, 2008
at 4:05 am
funny…. I always thought her name was Stacy….
By: kim on September 12, 2009
at 4:21 am
That one, lonely horse in your header looks SO sad. Horses are herd animals, and should never, ever be isolated to living without at least one other horse companion. Horses, if allowed to, will seek out the company of even a horse they don’t like, rather than being alone.
Backyard horse owners, PLEASE don’t put your horse/s through the emotional pain of being forced to live alone. It’s simply abusive, and not what horse ownership should be about.
By: Sandy on May 17, 2008
at 4:07 pm
I just audited a Parelli L1 clinic, trying to figure out if it would be right for me and my Percherons. I’m already a huge Clinton Anderson fan, and haven’t yet decided if I’ll make the switch. I do love the assessment part, but hate the politic-y commercialism. I was interested to read your views.
By: TinaY on July 21, 2008
at 9:22 pm
Attended the Clinton Anderson “Tour” as he calls it, yesterday. Wonderful. So informative. He adds the little secrets that you need to suceed. As example, 15 minutes a day for three days is much better than three hours once a week. Another, you often do not get what you are looking for until the third day. To add to Sandy’s wonderful thought, if you absolutely cannot afford another horse, a pair (not one) of goats (gelded if one is a male) make wonderful horse companions. Our retired racehorse would not go in a stall even if it was sleeting. Once we got Ziggy and Mary he would walk right in with them. The love between them all was palpable and joyous to see.
By: Uncle Bruce on August 25, 2008
at 8:53 pm
I totaly agree Parelli is so hard to understand. But he’s better on the groung and Clint is better on the ground and ridding.
I heart Clint Anderson!
By: p's girl on January 8, 2009
at 9:03 pm
Actually, I don’t think Linda and Pat give enough detail for beginners. As a beginner, I learn MUCH more from Clinton. We have spent thousands on Parelli materials and equipment and clinics. They give you just enough to make you feel like you need to buy more. I’m pretty sure it’s designed that way. Clinton gets on tv (free) and works with the most difficult horses and talks through every single detail. By far the best. Less of a product marketing scheme and more of a genuine trainer.
By: wknggirl on March 25, 2009
at 5:07 pm
I totally agree and alot more affordable. Tammy at Parelli was telling me how they are going all commercial in their promoting. They lost their love of horses for the Love of Money!!!
Just email Tammy at Parelli and ask her.
By: Gord Searle on April 9, 2009
at 12:41 am
Actually, if you can get the old vintage parelli, it is really excellent. The new stuff is mostly Linda. It is really a pity. But the old VHS tapes on Pat are great and you can probably buy them on ebay and convert them to DVD. No Linda, and excellent detail.
By: Robin Shen on July 8, 2009
at 5:34 pm
I have to agree about Pat’s original tapes being excellent. In fact, my first exposure to Natural Horsemanship was one of Pat’s original tapes on the 7 games. Then later RFDTV started showing Linda Parelli, Clinton, Dennis Reis, Chris Cox, and all the other clinicians. All the segments with Pat were from his tours, and they were more entertainment than educational.
By: Realist on July 14, 2009
at 5:19 pm
I promote a gentleman by the name of Gary Hunt. I have most of Pat Parelli disks, Johnathan Field and more. I have been training my own horses for years. I will tell you something, Gary Hunt can truly do some amazing things.
I have seen him put a saddle on a horse in less then 30 minutes and not have it buck. I have seen him start to finishing a colt in an hour a day for 5 days. These are not rough starts, or even rushed but well trained animals.
They are taught ground manners, to move off pressure, to stop, turn and back up better then most horses that people ride every day.
The best part of Gary Hunt, he is 1/3 the price of most others out there.
Thanks Gord Searle
By: Gord Searle on July 14, 2009
at 5:38 pm
Parelli is good, but I am definitely a big CLINTON ANDERSON fan. Thanks to him, my mare is now becoming a respectful and receptive partner. Clinton is very easy to understand and he is never boring. He’s very direct and his methods simply work.
Highly recommend Clinton!!!!!
By: Dee on November 6, 2009
at 3:51 am
I love the philosophy by Parelli (dignity of the horse, put the relationship first), but it’s impossible to get anywhere in the program without buying a bunch of stuff, like upwards of $500. And that’s just to get started. Horses are expensive anyway, much more if you have to buy all that gear!
I have a blog on wordpress too, and I did a post about that. WordPress automatically linked it to this post in the section called “possibly related posts.”
By: juliaeverheart on November 7, 2009
at 4:37 pm