What Are the Parelli Seven Games?

At the heart of Parelli Natural Horsemanship lies a structured set of communication exercises known as the Seven Games. Developed by Pat Parelli, these games are based on the natural language horses use with one another — the push, pull, and yield signals that define herd relationships. Rather than forcing compliance, the Seven Games teach horses and humans to communicate on the horse's terms.

Each game targets a specific type of movement or response and builds upon the last. Together, they form a complete vocabulary between horse and human, replacing traditional dominance-based training with mutual understanding.

The Seven Games at a Glance

  1. The Friendly Game — Desensitization; teaching the horse that things won't hurt them.
  2. The Porcupine Game — Responding to steady pressure from touch.
  3. The Driving Game — Responding to rhythmic pressure without direct contact.
  4. The Yo-Yo Game — Moving backwards and forwards in a straight line with balance.
  5. The Circling Game — Maintaining gait and direction on a circle.
  6. The Sideways Game — Moving sideways without moving forward or backward.
  7. The Squeeze Game — Building confidence moving through tight or narrow spaces.

Game 1: The Friendly Game

The Friendly Game is the starting point for every session. Its purpose is to prove to your horse that you — and everything you bring — are safe. This involves rhythmic swinging of the rope, approach and retreat with your body, and eventually touching every part of the horse without it flinching or pulling away.

A horse that hasn't mastered the Friendly Game will struggle with everything else, because trust hasn't yet been established.

Game 2: The Porcupine Game

This game teaches the horse to yield to steady, sustained pressure — the kind that comes from a hand or a halter. You apply gentle but consistent pressure and release the moment the horse gives even the slightest try. Over time, the horse learns that giving is comfortable and resistance is unnecessary.

Game 3: The Driving Game

Unlike the Porcupine Game, the Driving Game uses rhythmic pressure at a distance — tapping the air, the ground, or using body energy to ask the horse to move. This mirrors how horses communicate with each other through body language and is key to developing respect without force.

Games 4–7: Building on the Foundation

The Yo-Yo, Circling, Sideways, and Squeeze games progressively build on the first three. The Yo-Yo develops straightness and balance. The Circling Game teaches self-carriage and autonomy. The Sideways Game develops lateral suppleness. The Squeeze Game — perhaps the most practical — helps horses become confident in environments that might otherwise cause claustrophobia or fear.

Why the Seven Games Work

The genius of the Seven Games is that they align with horse psychology. Horses are prey animals who naturally test boundaries and seek clarity from confident leaders. The Seven Games provide that clarity in a positive, pressure-and-release format. When done correctly, horses become genuinely willing partners — not just obedient animals.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no set timeline. Some horses progress through basic fluency in weeks; others take months. The Parelli philosophy encourages working at the horse's pace rather than the human's schedule. As Pat Parelli often says: "Take the time it takes so it takes less time."

Getting Started

  • Begin with a Parelli halter and 12-foot lead rope.
  • Focus on one game per session rather than rushing through all seven.
  • Always end on a positive note — quit when the horse tries, not when the task is perfect.
  • Video your sessions to track subtle improvements you might miss in the moment.

The Seven Games are not just training tools — they are a philosophy of partnership. Master them, and every aspect of your horse relationship will improve.