Brenda Im
Pasture Boss
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I'm going to play the devil's advocate here. Pat's microphone fell off as he was working this rebellious and dangerous young stallion, so he was unable to explain what he was doing, and why, to the audience. I've had horses in a public arena pull surprise maneuvers on me in the past, and have had to resort to methods that are not my "typical" way of handling things - but were appropriate for the safety of the horse, the rider, bystanders and myself at the time. That, I believe, is exactly what Pat had to do. Fortunately, I was able to explain my reasoning to the audience - in this case, Pat was not.
The horse was rank. There are few horses like this in the world, but when you come across one you'd better darn let them know that the human has the upper hand, or you're creating an even bigger problem for the owner in the future. Pat had a responsibility to that owner in this circumstance, and I for one admire him for having the courage - and the faith in his audience's knowledge of his experience and abilities - to handle this difficult situation on the spot, in public. This horse needed a strong hand, and he needed it at the moment when he was exhibiting extreme and dangerous disrespect. Pat and Linda did the exact right thing.
Yes, they had to resort to a twitch and a long, soft cotton rope around the horse's foreleg - neither of these things is inherently inhumane. Pat needed to meet the horse's resistance with an equal amount of energy. He needed to work for as long as it took to get the horse to submit to him - and he needed to keep from getting killed in the process!
Sorry folks, but that's the way it is with horses! I repeat, most horses can and should be managed using a much milder approach - but this particular horse could not. I can only think of one horse in my own experience who exhibited this much inherent resistance and disrespect. . .and I'll be honest, I had him tranquilized to teach him some of the basics. To have done otherwise placed me at unnecessary risk. The horse went on to become a reliable and trustworthy trail horse with no lasting "harm" - his owner had been ready to ship him to auction (this during the slaughterhouse era) if I couldn't get the job done.
It's too bad that people who have never had to put their names and reputations on the line are so quick to point fingers at people who do just that every day of the week. Pat Parelli has has spent his life in service to the horse. He is more accomplished than 99.9% of horse owners and trainers out there, and has inspired thousands of people to become knowledgeable, humane horsemen. Even those of us who are not "die-hard" Parelli followers have benefited from the methods he has taught over the years.
I'm not saying this is true of Amy, who seems to have genuine concern for the horse (but could be kinder to her fellow human beings - sorry), but what inspires most people to point fingers at public clinicians is just plain old jealousy. Been there, done that - and have been at the other end of those pointing fingers more often than I care to admit.
Yes, we clinicians make money, some of them (not me! ) a whole lot of money. But as a whole we give value for the buck and make genuinely worthwhile contributions in the form of methods and products that improve the lives of horses and horse lovers. Why shouldn't we make money? Doesn't everyone need to make a living? You can bet those "good ol' boys" who are painting caustic substances on their horse's pasterns and putting foreign objects between the hoof pads and the sore, quickened foot are making money - some of them a ton of it.
Let's support "the good guys," and be thankful that true "Horse Whisperers" exist, and are willing to share their knowledge and skills with the rest of the world.
PB 
PS: Here's a link that tells "the rest of the story" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzOqBZRjYoY
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Always forgive your enemies. It's good for you - and really messes with their heads!
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Riders at the top of their game still get instruction and take lessons regularly.
