Hello everyone,
I really want to thank you for your outpouring of support as a result of my last blog. I am very moved by reading all your comments, and I used up more than a few tissues! Your wisdom, perspective, love and thanks are overwhelming, thank you so much. 
I wish I could have read the comment from Liane in French, but I felt the energy! And Debbie Bennett, thanks for your thoughts too – we were both there at my first clinic with Pat and I value us being able to support each other way back in 1989.
And then this one from Barbara: “The flak is always the thickest when you are over the target.” How true that is. Sometimes all it takes is the capacity to never, ever give up. Horses teach us that too: Passive persistence in the proper position.
Thank you so much, all of you. We feel blessed to have such wonderful supporters as you.
Linda
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Here’s another translation. I use the Babylon translator in iGoogle, as it seems to be the most accurate (plus I took French in college and can still read enough to get the gist):
Hello, Linda!
I read your blog and I find it sad that a person would make such comments.
My husband and I were in Ohio and we found this session with (of) Fran’s very interesting. We understand how important it is to respect our horse and it is not always easy to understand, especially when lack of experience opposes (is face-to-face with) the understanding of its horsenality. We also realized that his “background” played a big role in his manner.
We saw you in action and we understood that you had (put) the horse first, and your patience made all the difference.
You are a great source of inspiration and how (as) the saying goes: behind a great man, there is a great lady!
A loyal (faithful) member!
Liane
Thanks for the translation, lovely words.
L
Linda,
Sometimes people see what they don’t see, hear what they don’t hear, and do with it what they want. It doesn’t mean it’s true. Wisdom means speaking only after understanding. Foolishness is speaking before truly understanding. Hope that helps. So glad you and Pat are doing what you do.
Thank you so much.
I was thinking long and deep about how it could be that you, Linda Parelli, Mrs. Pat Parelli, could even have any bit of doubt and wonder creep into your being. While pondering this I happened upon an interview with former Genesis great Peter Gabriel, who I had the pleasure of meeting. The way he answered the following question had me sitting bolt-upright in my chair. THIS IS HORSEMANSHIP. THIS IS PARELLI. THIS IS HOW IT IS. The creative process you share with us in our problem solving and puzzle building is what makes us so proficient and confident in what we are doing! Love, Jeanne
GC: Some of your songs are densely layered. Do you have all of those pieces in mind before you record or do they reveal themselves as the process unfolds? Do you prefer to record tracks live with a group of musicians or individually on a track-by-track basis?
PG: I think there are two forms of creative energy. One is “energy A,” which is an analytical energy where you layer things up track by track, then zoom in and work on little details. The other is “energy Zed,” which is a Zen-like performance energy that is spontaneous and improvised and produces a different animal. Both are useful and important. The smart process involves harvesting performances then analyzing them and layering them up. Initially you might just look at rhythm, then maybe you look at melody, then harmony, then timbre. Each time you put down a layer of performance you slow it down and analyze it. Musicians need to be aware of how they work. Sometimes you just need to flip it and do it the other way and see what…
I love Peter Gabriel’s songs! In fact I just DVR’d a program called guitar sessions or something like that. Trying to find the time to watch it now!
Thanks for passing that on – he’s an artist with words too
L
Linda,
This program you DVR’d is the interview I was referring to. Fancy that! You can also google it and just read the transcript if you don’t find time to watch the thing.
Peter Gabriel Guitar Center interview
My next thought is I just betcha David Lichman thinks this way, too.
Dearest Linda,
just think how many horses and their humans bless you for your never – ending support and help, and then compare it with those people who don’t want to follow PNH program – guess what the result should be?
I hope you feel never – ending LOVE and SUPPORT from us – SC members and loyal PNH followers, cause there is no other program like yours, there are no such great teachers as You and Pat!!! Remember that!
Our horses could say something about it too
Much love from Poland!
Zuzanna
Linda,
Here’s Liane’s comment (Microsoft Word’s translation, so Maurice’s would be better – the first line didn’t translate well…) wouldn’t want to you miss it!
“Hi Linda, I read your blog and I find desolate that a person allows you to make such comments. My husband and I were present in Ohio and we found this session with Fran ‘ s very interesting. We have understood how it is important to respect our horse and it is not always easy to understand, especially when experience towards lack understanding of its horsenality. We also realized that its “background” played a large role in its way of being. We have seen you in action and we understood that you were me the horse first and that thy patience was the difference. You’re a great source of inspiration and how it often says: behind a great man, there is a great lady! A faithful Member! Liane Gatineau, Quebec, Canada ”
So now you all know you can copy to Word, highlight, right-click and click “Translate”. (My contribution this Sunday to teaching you all how to “fish”!)
Thank you Shiela. Aren’t computer programs amazing? I wish I had more savvy in that department!
L
I have been watching your programs and dvd`s for about 3 years now. I was amazed at what I saw the first time I watched. I always wanted to be close to my horse, but didn`t know how. Now I do, and it is wonderful. I know there are people who don`t want to hear about what you and Pat do. My daughter is one of them. Her husband likes to beat his horses when they don`t do what he wants. I tried to talk to them about it, but they didn`t want any part of it. My daughter said, ” Oh, those horses are trained to do all that stuff.” I thought to myself, da! How do think they were taught to do the things they do. Well the good news is my son-in-law doesn`t own any horses anymore. Thank God! Keep doing what you are doing. I think it is great and has made my relationship with my horse so much stronger. I have a long way to go, but I am thrilled with the results I already see.
Linda, I can’t put into words just how much yours and Pat’s program has impacted me. I am living my dreams with horses just like I had always wanted since I was a little child! Finally I feel like I have found the thing that I am supposed to be doing with my life and it is the most liberating feeling! My first ride with just the savvy string a couple weeks ago, my horses running to me at liberty and wanting to be with me, the most fabulous trot I have ever had with my horse using the fluidity saddle for the first time on him today and the relationship we share are just a few hi-lights for me:-) THANKYOU so much. You are definately making the world a better place for horses and humans. You are a breakthrough person who has already brough about a massive shift in the horse industry. It seems that some people just aren’t ready for that change. Growth and change rarely seem to come about without dischord. You are a front runner and we are behind, the lucky ones becuase you have blazed the trail for us. THANKYOU!
Dear Linda,
When I wrote on my facebook page that I was starting Parelli games with my horse Charlie I got a post from an american friend stating that Parelli made for spoiled and dangerous horses. She seemed passionate about that statement. Very sad that so many people seem to think that whipping a horse in to shape is the way to go. I had that advise a few times myself. I am still doing games with my boy and video it regularly so I can see what I do wrong and can improve on. Sometimes people come and watch and snigger at me. I see improvements so do not care. When we are little but further down the line I hope I can show people in confidence what a good method it is to build a bond and trust – I am a person who is a too soft and need to take on more leadership role with my horse but it is clear to me that this should never mean violence or inflicting pain. I hope more people will get that message. Thank you for the time and effort to make this world a beter place for these wonderful creatures. Love, Loes
I agree with Susan Duby that people who aren’t ready to learn will NOT accept what is being taught. Unless they have an open mind, they will learn nothing at all and remain negative.
I started PNH in 2005 and still love it. Today is testimony as my horse gave his all at the dressage and this was reflected in the fantastic results.
Linda, keep up the good work as I love learning from your DVDs. In fact I can’t get enough of it.
I heard about Parelli five years ago at one of the nine barns that I went to, looking for a good instructor. It was the last barn I went to.
I met a young woman there who paid the haul in fee to use the arena, showed up with her quarter horse and proceeded to completely blow my socks off (something that I think you know a lot about).
I stood there, watching her do things that I’d never watched in person before, only in my dreams. When I asked her to teach me too, she gave me a piece of paper with the words “parelli.com” written on it.
I carry my own set of little pieces of paper now. When someone asks me to help them, I smile and tell them I am only a grasshopper. Then I pull out one of my little papers with the words “parelli.com” on it and give it to them.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do that…and for giving me my dreams.
Y’all really are amazing! You give us a way to ‘be’ with a horse. It’s definitely way more than riding. With my first Parelli horse, I think I focussed more on the fancy stuff and let the relationship follow. When he passed away I got another horse and started over. Now the relationship is first and the fancy stuff follows.
You teach us to put the horse and relationship first and that’s something no “horse trainer” could do in my opinion. You give us a way to be completely connected with our horses so that they want to be with us. I’m 17 and I’ve been doing Parelli for 3 years. I’m now in Level 2 with my horse that I got about 4 months ago, and we’re almost through with our online stuff. I’m constantly wanting more connection with him, and you and Pat give me a way to do that. Thank you. 
You should always be very proud of what you do for those that so much want to do the right thing for their horses. Not everyone will “get it”, but that’s ok. It’s all perspective.
You and Pat took on a huge challenge by reaching out to train the “trainers” of their own horses. The impression I get with most horse trainers is that they would rather train the horse and not the people. Most find it too difficult to teach the person. It is a special talent that few have. You would think training the animal that doesn’t understand our language would be the most difficult…..but they’re not
You and Pat are just what the horse world was waiting for….
You are at the ‘coalface’ of change, in the front line… or as they used to call it in battle times… the firing line. When you are attacked and feel wounded, remember the thousands of us out here who love you and Pat dearly and are so very thankful for all that you have done, and will do, for horses and people all over the world. Listen to the roar as we cheer you on with all the enthusiasm we can muster! We are right behind you working hard to follow in your footsteps as you forge a path for us to follow. Thank you.
I love the sound of that roar!
L
Linda all i can say is this. Without Pat and YOU many, many, many people would not be living their dreams with horses. I myself am one of those many. The support you all have given is incredible. Unfortunately in life there is always going to be someone negative and pointing fingers. You listen to them and then as you say learn from it. The learning from this type of negativity is someone has missed out on the message you have tried so hard to get out to people. Shallow thinking breeds this type of negativity. Anyway, carry on and remember and cherish all the people you have hepled. I can tell ya one thing for sure they far outway any persons slander. Love ya Linda. Thanks so much for helping a 62 year old gal live her childhood dream. Suzy in Mo.
Oh that’s wonderful. Thank you. I do cherish it and just know that we are living our dreams too.
L
Linda,
remember, non-constructive criticism does not mean anything. It is just a comment from somebody who does not understand what you are conveying.
If Walter Zettl would have anything to criticize it would be constructive, and you would take it to heart and learn from it. Anything else should roll from your back like water from a duck. It is not worth to worry about it.
You have helped us so much, the least we can do is to thank you and to support you.
Juergen,
Right on. I know who to listen to with the criticisms, but I still care about what’s missing when I don’t hit the mark. It doesn’t upset me, but it doesn’t feel good either. Most of all, I want to learn from it.
Thank you for your lovely words.
L
Hey Linda,
Would you like me to ask Maurice to translate Liane’s post that was in french?
I know I am speaking for him…but it would take him two seconds…remember French is his native language!
Susan Nelson
Hi Susan,
I think the two responses with translations did it for me.
Thanks for thinking of it though, I keep forgetting he speaks French! Probably because I’ve never heard him do it.
Gotta change that
L
I went back and read the comments and I agree wholeheartedly that some people are not ready to learn or even notice what is really going on. The truth is really subjective in lots of situation but I think that you and Pat have tried to pursue the truth of horsemanship and me and my lovely horses thank you for it. Stay strong and keep sharing.
Yeah! Linda!Just keep on doing what you do soooo well!
Well Linda, you know we all love y’all. You can’t help that some people are slower learners and take longer to recognize what you are doing and for what reason. You, Pat and the entire organization have my total support. Someday, I will be one of your instructors to help spread the PNH message. We’re just dealing with the financial part right now. lol.
Well that’s because you’re a “top lass” as they say in Yorkshire