Pat Parelli has received the Humane Horseman of the Year award from the Humane Society of the United States
Natural horsemanship specialist Pat Parelli has been named Humane Horseman of the Year by the Humane Society of the United States.

The society presents the award annually to an equestrian who has committed himself or herself to improving the welfare of America's horses.

Parelli was presented the award during a private horsemanship event at his ranch in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and again at a training event in Fort Worth, Texas last weekend.

Parelli was honoured for his work with the humane society on a programme centered on the trainability and adoptability of rescued horses.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Pat Parelli to celebrate horses and help find adoptive homes for rescued horses across the country," said Keith Dane, the society's director of equine protection, who presented Parelli with the award.

Parelli and his wife, Linda, have been a powerful force in highlighting the adoptability of rescued horses, Dane said. "We are delighted with the results of this collaboration."

The 2008 recipient was United States Representative Ed Whitfield, The society said Whitfield has worked tirelessly to pass legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption abroad.

In addition to his support of legislation to end horse slaughter, Whitfield has also supported stricter regulation of the horseracing industry, measures to restore protections for wild horses and other animal-protection measures.

This year, the Parellis joined forces with the society to spotlight the intelligence and trainability of rescued horses and help them find long-term homes.

For decades, Parelli, as a world-renowned natural horsemanship trainer, has helped horse owners reach new levels of communication and partnership with horses through his techniques.

Parelli Natural Horsemanship is a personalised method of training based on the development of the horse-human relationship in a manner that is extremely considerate of, and natural to, the horse.

Thousands of horse owners in the United States and beyond have benefited from the Parellis' engaging and straightforward approach to horse-human interaction.

During each of the Parellis' seven events throughout the country, Pat Parelli spends three days working with a rescued horse from a local rescue group affiliated with Homes for Horses Coalition, which was co-founded by the humane society.

At the end of the event, the horse is made available for adoption to a loving home. This collaboration not only places horses in good homes, but brings recognition and much needed donations to the participating horse rescues.

"Our greatest initiative in the horse industry is to help people have more successful relationships with horses and to not treat them as disposable items," Pat Parelli said. "Too many people get out of horses because they get frustrated or afraid, and too many horses suffer as a result ... together we can change that."