Born in Singapore in 1958 and raised in Australia, Linda grew up riding in Pony Club and gymkhana. As an adult, she trained as an esthetician and became education director for an Australian skincare company. But horses called her back. She bought a Thoroughbred with dreams of eventing, only to find the horse nearly impossible to handle. Dressage methods failed. Traditional training failed. She considered dressage “the most boring thing possible” and found herself stuck with a difficult horse and no path forward.
THE PATH TO MASTERY
Linda Parelli brings over 30 years of international experience revolutionising how riders connect with horses through curriculum development, compassionate psychology and personal growth integration.
Linda revolutionised rider-horse communication through psychology, mindfulness and educational systems.
Specialist in behaviour interpretation and communication systems based on the horse's natural language.
Clinician teaching across continents, creator of educational content used globally and mentor to trainers and riders worldwide.
THE PHILOSOPHY
The happiness of the horse is not a byproduct of good training but the foundation of it. For Linda, horsemanship is about becoming someone horses want to follow. She teaches that horses don’t care about your outfit, your credentials or your ambitions, they need you to know how to reach them emotionally and psychologically.
When humans prioritise the horse’s mind, emotions and nature, everything else follows naturally: performance, willingness, partnership. Linda’s approach synthesises decades of natural horsemanship wisdom with insights into compassionate leadership and psychological connection.
She believes real leadership begins with care, that emotional connection builds trust no technique can replace, and that when horses and humans feel safe, respected and joyful, learning flourishes.
True leadership begins with care. Emotional connection builds trust that no technique can replace.
Understanding the horse’s psychology and body language creates clarity in training and communication.
Fulfilment matters. When horses and humans feel safe, respected and joyful, learning flourishes.
When the relationship is right, performance follows naturally without pressure, resistance or fear.
Why LINDA PARELLI at Alterreno
Linda Parelli’s presence at Alterreno represents a powerful alignment of philosophies. Her visit to Alterreno in September 2023 marked a significant moment for the centre and its community. For riders at Alterreno seeking to deepen their understanding of horse psychology, improve communication from the ground up and develop leadership skills that inspire rather than intimidate, Linda’s Happy Horse philosophy offers a transformative path. Her work teaches riders to see problems as communication, resistance as information and training as conversation, principles that resonate deeply with Angelika Schneider’s vision for Alterreno: a place where horses are honoured, humans are transformed and partnership is earned through understanding rather than force.