Pat Parelli
Pioneering Natural Horsemanship for More Than Four Decades
Media Kit
Biography and Early Career
Born in 1954 in Livermore, California, Pat Parelli has become one of the most influential figures in Natural Horsemanship worldwide. With a career spanning more than four decades, Pat’s innovative approach to training horses has transformed the lives of both horses and their owners. His methods emphasize understanding the psychology and behavior of horses—enabling communication through natural cues rather than force or intimidation.
Pat's journey in the world of horsemanship began in his early years as a stablehand, and later as a rodeo competitor, where he earned accolades such as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Bareback Rookie of the Year in 1972. His passion for humane and ethical horse training led to the development of the Parelli Natural Horsemanship Program in the 1980s, a program that quickly gained international recognition for its groundbreaking approach.
Influence and Impact
With more than 200,000 students and 150 Licensed Parelli Professionals teaching his Program globally, Pat Parelli's influence has been far-reaching. His dedication to "making the world a better place for horses and the people who love them" has cemented his legacy in the equestrian community. His teachings, encapsulated in bestselling books like Natural Horse-Man-Ship: Six Keys to a Natural Horse-Human Relationship and Raise Your Hand if You Love Horses, have educated countless horse owners and trainers, emphasizing the value of partnership, trust, and communication.
Pat’s expertise has earned him the respect of notable figures within the horse world, such as Olympian David O'Connor, Paralympian Lauren Barwick, and Multi-Eclipse Award Winner, Racehorse Trainer Bobby Frankel, as well as recognition from broader communities, including a private audience with President Ronald Regan and Queen Elizabeth II. In 2003, he appeared on The Dog Whisperer alongside Cesar Millan. In 2009, he was named the Humane Horseman of the Year by the Humane Society of the United States for his dedication to improving the welfare of America’s horses.
Humans are from Mars, Horses are from Venus: A Path to True Partnership
Pat Parelli Joins the 2022 Championship Competition Lineup
Pat Parelli, a renowned figure in natural horsemanship, stepped into the Road to the Horse championship after competitor Cole Cameron withdrew. Parelli, known for his global influence through Parelli Natural Horsemanship, returned to the event for the first time in a decade, showcasing his expertise in colt starting. His program, which has spread to 76 countries and impacted over a million people, focuses on improving the relationship between humans and horses through love, language, and leadership.
TESTIMONIALS
books
Natural Horse-Man-Ship has been widely recognized for revolutionizing horse training by emphasizing natural communication with horses. It is considered a foundational text in natural horsemanship and is praised for making horse psychology accessible to all riders.
Raise Your Hand if You Love Horses has garnered praise for its heartfelt insights into horse training and human relationships, offering an intimate look into Parelli's philosophy of "Love, Language, and Leadership.”
Horse Sense & Stable Thinking combines Pat Parelli’s years of wisdom to help horse lovers find more harmony and enjoyment in their horse life by teaching them how horses feel, think, act, and play. In this book, the reader gains over 100 tips and strategies for staying safe with horses in the barn, in the saddle, on the trail.
COMMUNITY
The Parelli Network, an online community and membership platform, connects students from around the world to access the Parelli Levels Program in addition to member-exclusive educational content, live coaching, and a supportive network of like-minded horse lovers.
This community offers a space for members to share their progress, ask questions, and engage in continuous learning. Members gain access to a library of over 35 years of teaching materials, including videos, articles, and interactive sessions with Pat Parelli and other licensed professionals.
In addition to the core educational resources, the Parelli Network offers membership tiers to suit different needs:
- Free Membership: Available at community.parelli.com, this membership provides access to essential resources, including the ability to search for assistance and browse conversations in real time through the Parelli mobile app—perfect for quick problem-solving when you need it most.
- Parelli Levels Program: Available through community.parelli.com, the Parelli Levels Program is a one-time purchase of the horsemanship training system developed by Pat Parelli. The Program consists of Four Levels, and is designed to help horse owners develop a strong bond and communicate effectively with their horse through at-home learning. Your cumulative skills and knowledge will increase level by level as you learn additional Parelli Savvys: our four areas of learning, both on the ground and in the saddle.
- Savvy Club Monthly Membership: For those seeking deeper learning, the Savvy Club offers tiered, paid memberships that unlock exclusive access to the Savvy Library, a comprehensive collection of instructional videos, articles, and resources curated over Pat Parelli’s 40-year career. Members also receive live coaching and interactive sessions with Pat and other licensed professionals, making it an unparalleled resource for ongoing education.
GALLERY
PAT PARELLI NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP
Frequently Asked Questions
Pat Parelli is one of the most influential figures in Natural Horsemanship worldwide. For more than four decades, Parelli’s innovative approach focuses on understanding horse behavior through communication, psychology, and leadership rather than the traditional reliance on mechanical force or intimidation. With more than 200,000 students and 150 licensed professionals teaching his program globally, Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc. and its world-renowned Parelli Program, has reached 76 countries and has improved the lives of horses and the humans that love them around the world.
In 1982, Pat Parelli created a program to improve the relationship between humans and horses. In 1984, Pat began teaching clinics, and in 1991, he coined the term 'Natural Horsemanship' which has now become a common name within the industry. Natural Horsemanship continues to expand and influence the way in which horses are trained—focused on building a relationship with the horse and understanding their natural instincts and communication methods.
Pat Parelli’s offerings are vast and accessible through a variety of platforms:
Online Community: The Parelli Network is an online community that houses the Parelli Levels Program as well as the Savvy Learning Library subscription. The Parelli Levels Program consists of 4 Levels—With everyone starting at Level One with a white Savvy String. The Savvy Learning Library is a subscription based add-on to the Levels Program which provides members with exclusive access to a wealth of additional educational content, virtual study groups, live Q&A sessions with Parelli professionals, and benefit from continuous updates to the content library.
This online platform allows students to learn at their own pace, whether they are focusing on groundwork, riding skills, or problem-solving techniques.
In-Person Clinics & Courses: For those seeking hands-on learning, Parelli offers clinics and courses at various locations around the world, including his campus in the U.S. These clinics provide students with direct instruction from Parelli or certified instructors, enabling them to fast-track their learning. The clinics focus on improving specific skills such as trailer loading, liberty work, and advanced riding techniques.
Long-Term Study: For those looking to become professional horsemen, Parelli offers resident student programs which range from 8-weeks to beyond 12-months. These programs include his Vocational Student Program, Apprenticeships, Externships, and Protege Programs.
All virtual and on campus programs and descriptions are on the Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc. website at https://shopus.parelli.com/.
CONTACT PAT
To learn more and/or schedule an interview with Pat, please contact us at press@parelli.com