What are the key things Pat Parelli checks before he considers a young horse ready to be mounted for the first time?

Pat Parelli's checklist for a young horse being mounted for the first time reflects his principle that the first ride should be an event the horse is genuinely prepared for, not a milestone achieved on a calendar date. His criteria are behavioral rather than time-based. The horse must hook on readily in the round pen — coming to the handler willingly when invited and maintaining connection — which demonstrates it has accepted the human as a safe presence worth orienting toward. This is the foundational trust required before anything more is asked. The horse must accept the saddle, girth, and moving stirrups without concern. Parelli specifically tests stirrup acceptance by moving them deliberately, slapping them against the saddle, and running a rope through them — mimicking what will happen when the rider's legs move. A horse that stands quietly through this is demonstrating genuine acceptance, not just tolerance. The horse must flex softly to both sides from the ground, giving its nose to the handler's hand without bracing. This confirms the rein response that will be needed the moment the rider is on top. The horse must accept weight in the stirrup — Parelli teaches having the rider put their full weight into the left stirrup, lean across the horse's back with their chest, and pause there while the horse stands. Only when the horse is completely still and relaxed in this position does Parelli consider the leg swinging over. Finally, the horse must be willing to be approached from both sides with all of these preparations. A horse that accepts the saddle and stirrups only from the left is half prepared. Parelli requires symmetrical acceptance before the first ride.