How does Pat Parelli's pre-ride preparation differ from simply getting on and going?

Pat Parelli's pre-ride preparation is built on the principle that what happens in the first few minutes with a horse sets the tone for everything that follows — and that a rider who simply mounts and starts riding has skipped the most important part of the session. Parelli teaches that before mounting, the handler should assess the horse's emotional and mental state through brief groundwork — specifically whichever of the Seven Games gives the clearest picture of the horse's current responsiveness. If the horse is soft on the Porcupine Game, light on the Driving Game, and hooks on readily in the Circling Game, it is in a receiving state and the ride can begin from a good foundation. If any of these responses is stiff, resistant, or dull, Parelli teaches addressing it on the ground before getting on — not to tire the horse out, but to establish communication quality before it is needed from on top. He also teaches spending a moment with the horse before any formal work begins — what he describes as taking time to say hello. Rubbing the horse, noticing where it is tight and where it is relaxed, and giving it a moment to acknowledge the handler's presence before demands begin. This is consistent with his broader teaching that the relationship is built in these quiet moments as much as in formal training. Parelli's specific mounting preparation includes confirming the horse will stand at the mounting block without drifting, will accept the rider's weight in the stirrup without concern, and will flex softly in both directions before the rider's leg swings over. A horse that meets these standards is ready to be ridden. A horse that does not is telling the rider what to work on before the ride begins.