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BY TERI SPRAGUE

Light a Candle:

Historic Parelli and

Therapeutic Horsemanship

Consortium

H

ave you ever had a dream but didn’t historic irst: a four-day event, August 22-25, 2013,
know how to start? That has been called Horses Helping Humans: Parelli and Thera-

the situation I have found myself peutic Horsemanship. Parelli Professionals were

in over the last several years. I have educated in the world of Therapeutic Horsemanship
seen how much Parelli has not only and ESs (equine specialists), while mental health

been “Way more than riding!” but
professionals (certiied in EAP, EAL, EASB, as well

also “Way more than horsemanship!” I have been as other ields) discovered the beneits and applica-
looking for a way to more actively teach and access tions of Parelli to the safety and eiciency of their

this part of horsemanship.
equine programs.

Enter an inconspicuous email from the Parelli Donna Blem, CEO of InStride Therapy (and also
Education Institute announcing scholarships for 1-Star Instructor), and Shannon Knapp from Horse

Parelli Professionals and Therapeutic Riding Practi- Sense, Inc., in North Carolina, along with interest

tioners. That little email led to my participation in a
and funding from the Parelli Education Institute,
were the impetus for the event.

“Honoring Pat’s important mission, we have been

working over several years to develop a course
connecting the Parelli Program, Principles, and

Promises into the operations of therapy and thera-

peutic centers,” said Donna.
“This event was the irst step in a dream I’ve

had for years, since irst encountering Parelli and

Therapeutic Horsemanship, to bring together two
areas that at irst glance seem disparate but are

actually deeply intertwined in signiicant ways. The
changes our clients have made at Horse Sense, in-

tegrating Parelli into every aspect of their healing,

has and continues to be a pleasure to watch!” said
Shannon. “Our goal is for the Parelli method to be

adopted as the guiding principles on which a center

Horses Helping Humans participants.
develops their unique specialty to more efectively

30 | Savvy Times November 2013