SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Categories: Horse Behavior

Working with Your Horse’s Horsenality


Parelli Horsenality Chart

(PDF Format-Click to Enlarge)

Pat and Linda Parelli have developed a program to help you better understand you horse’s individual behavior and temperament characteristics.



To identify your horse’s horsenality, consider every trait listed on the chart to the right and make a dot on the specific ring that best corresponds to your horse. For example, if your horse is extremely playful, you would put a dot on the outer “extreme” ring under this trait. If he is non-responsive, but only some of the time, you would put a dot on the middle “moderate” ring by this trait. Some of the traits may not apply to your horse at all. You can have dots in different quadrants, but the vast majority of horses will end up with most of their dots in one quadrant, which reveals that horse’s horsenality.



Once you have identified your horse’s horsenality profile using the chart, here are some strategies for working effectively with each horsenality type for a more successful partnership.

The Right Brain Extrovert needs safety. Never push him past the threshold until he’s calm. You will need to retreat and to interrupt the pattern. You must have a strong focus and must match the horse’s high energy level. Give him a job to accomplish to replace his fear with something positive. He must think of you as his “safe place.”

The Right Brain Introvert needs comfort. The worst thing you can do is push this horse before he’s confident. You’ll ruin his trust in you if you push him before he’s ready. Taking your time is important because you’ll need to wait on this horse to process things. He needs to believe in you.

The Left Brain Extrovert needs play. He craves creative, imaginative tasks and can’t stand to be forced into anything. Because he hates to be bored, you’ll need to speed things up, be enthusiastic and come up with variety in your lessons.

The Left Brain Introvert needs incentive. There are plenty of ways to offer incentive without “bribing” him. (Think rest, grazing, treats, scratches.) This horse needs to have a purpose and wants to go somewhere. Riding circles in an area with this horse will lead to resistance and defiance. Use reverse psychology for best results.

For more information about Horsenalities, visit www.parelli.com

Cynthia McFarland

Cynthia McFarland is an Ocala, Fla.-based freelance writer, horse owner and avid trail rider. The author of nine books, her latest is The Horseman’s Guide to Tack and Equipment.

View Comments

  • This is a wonderful chart. It helps me see how my horse is progressing, and if I am doing everything right. It is amazing how much difference 1 month makes.

  • I filled the chart out for my 8 year old paint gelding, Tomahawk, and he fits into the right-brain introvert category.
    It's quite interesting because when I adopted him we pretty much figured he had never been ridden before and I used some of Parelli's techniques and I am now able to ride him.
    It is totally accurate, though, that this horse should not be pushed before he is ready and to back this up I can tell you that there is a trainer at the barn where I board who told me that it was time to show Tomahawk how to "collect" himself. I started doing this with him and on Sunday (only a day or so after we began asking him to flex at the poll) I asked him to lope in this position and he lost his balance quite a bit which caused me to lose my balance which then scared him and he scooted away from me, so I fell off. Anyway - my point here is that I realize that I have to break things down ever so simply for him and spend alot of time on each technique until he fully gets it - otherwise he tends to panic and flee. He's really quick too so when he scoots off, he's gone.
    Hopefully I can purchase Parelli's Level 1 soon so I can continue to work with Tomahawk safely an build a solid foundation.
    Thanks!

  • This is a very interesting artical. I have been looking for a tool like this for the past 2 yrs. I did use the equine IQ test to assist me with my mare,she was a pistol. I was hoping for another tool. Thanks Parelli's I used the tool for my 14 yo QH mare. It did assist me in determining her horenality, she did meet the LB intorvert hands down. However, when I went to use the tool on my 2 yo QH gelding it did not work as well. As the horenality scale looks at more negative actions and not the positive. He had three trigers for LB extrovert, zero on RB extrovert, zero on RB introvert and two on LB introvert. I feel it would be more beneficial if the scale looked at negative and positive attributes. I first read about this scale in Horse Illistrated. This is a close to a holistic assessment of your horse you can get. I look forward to applying my findings with my mare.

  • Thank you for publishing the Parelli Article. I am 53 years old and I have worked with horses since the age of 12. When I first started studying Parelli, I actually broke down and cried because this program was the road map that I have always wanted.

  • I read this months article on Horsenality and I am very intrigued. I would like to learn more so I went to both of the websites referenced but I still could not find out how to get ahold of the other three charts mentioned in the article. Can you help?

  • I am an avid Parelli student, and this tool is amazing! I knew my mare was LB, but not Introvert. This has changed out relationship for the better is so many different ways! I thought my pony was RBE, but turns out she is LBE! Wow, when I changed how I played with her, we zoomed through L1 and half of L2 in a few short days! It is truely amazing! I couldn't ask for anything better! Thank you Pat and Linda for all your guidance and info!

  • I enjoyed the 'horsenality' article very much; I have three weanlings that I am working with, all three seem to be "Left Brain" but in three different degrees! Just knowing what to look for wasn't enough, learning how to deal with each one successfully was priceless! I hope to see more articles on horsenalities and how to deal with each different type in the future, Thank You!

  • Pat and Linda have again come up with a very useful tool to help us learn more about why our horses do what they do. The Horsenality Chart is helping me understand what to do at the proper times and gives me more arrows to work with.

Recent Posts

Emergency and Natural Disaster Preparedness with Horses

Each year, hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms force thousands across the country to evacuate their homes. When preparing for a…

18 hours ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Xanthus

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

2 days ago

Equine Affaire Massachusetts 2024: Four Days Just Isn’t Enough!

The crisp New England autumn air was filled with excitement as Equine Affaire returned to the Eastern States Exposition in…

2 days ago

A Royal Wrap: 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Synopsis

Things have gone quiet now in Toronto at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds on the waterfront of Lake Ontario after…

2 days ago

Vet Adventures: Lady Catherine de Bourgh

It was late on a Saturday when the photo popped up on my phone. It was a laceration at the…

4 days ago

Ultimate Guide to Ulcers

Equine ulcers are a significant concern for many horse owners. Ulcers can affect all types of horses and have a…

1 week ago