Herding Cats

if you think about it, horses’ personalities are basically more like cats than any other animal: they can take you or leave you and don’t care if you approve of them or not; keep them comfortable and don’t frighten or be inconsiderate of their space and they will tolerate you; reward them for achievment and ignore their mistakes and they will become your partner; make them feel good, loved and protected and they do anything for you and will follow you anywhere.

Oh, I’ve been LOOKING for this ad! I saw it years ago in a half-rtime Super Bowl thing — I forget which year it was. I was crying from laughing so hard at that one! Now I can show it to my husband. Thanks!!!

Jerry, thank you so much for sharing! I’ve never seen this commercial before, a real treasure…

Petra Christensen
1Star Parelli Junior Instructor
Parelli Central

It does indeed take time, but, ahhh, I don’t have enough time.

Who knew they would make a video of my life!!!! TEE HEE
Problem is sometimes I feel more like the cats than the herders. My horses have taught me to be both herder and cat and if I can look at this from both sides I realize I now can understand my horse better. When I learn to be a better herder my kitty’s gets MUCH TAMER:) It Takes Time.

I agree. I hadn’t noticed the correlation between my Parelli adventures and cat herding. But, “playing with my horses” does feel that way sometimes. It helps me a lot to look back at where I was when I began and compare to where I am now.

Yep, that’s one of the best commercials ever done. Kind of does ring true to getting all the Parelli information organized and put together to make sense. I’m just starting to get the strategies figured out.

Hi Jerry!

That video was toooo funny and it reminds me sometimes of how I feel trying to get all my thoughts and ideas running around in my brain all herded up and headed in the same direction LOL!! Sometimes I think that’s the hardest part of this horsemanship journey I’m on. I have the information, I know what I want to do with it, I know what I would like the process to look like, I know what I would like the outcome to be but getting from process to product is just like “herding cats” – I never really know what’s going to happen!!

Kathy Craig

That is really something to think about, what a real challenge but using the right techniques and attitude nothing is impossible, right?

Wel,l yes, I have felt this way. I am thinking of my job as an educator. I am reading/math specialist in K-8 school and spend a lot of time in meetings. Often, I attend meetings in which the parameters and goals of group seem to be so broad that nothing appears to be getting done.

For some reason, this video made me think of a line in Dr. Seuss’s book, Oh the Places YOu’ll Go and the Places You’ll See: You have brains in your head, You have feet in your shoes, You can steer youself in any direction you choose, You’re on your own and you know what you know, Oh, the places you’ll go.

There are leaders and followers but followers need leaders and leaders need direction.

FUNNNNeeeeiii! love it.

Jerry,

Loved it! HAH!!…. still laughing..

Jerry… I love that AD. One of my favorites. Sometimes it’s just what I feel like too.
Thanks for posting it.

Nancy, smiling at you from my own little peice of OZ…off to do chores