What are the Seven Games and what do they develop in the horse?

The Seven Games are the foundational groundwork exercises of the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program, designed to develop specific qualities of communication, responsiveness, and confidence in the horse through progressively more demanding versions of a core set of interaction patterns. The Friendly Game develops the horse's confidence with the handler's approach, touch, and movement — desensitizing the horse to the handler's presence and to various stimuli while building a positive association with human contact. The Porcupine Game develops the horse's ability to yield to steady, sustained pressure — teaching the horse to move away from pressure that does not release until the horse moves, which is the foundation of most physical communication in traditional horsemanship. The Driving Game develops the horse's ability to respond to rhythmic, increasing pressure at a distance — moving away from energy and movement rather than physical contact, which develops responsiveness at liberty and at a distance. The Yo-Yo Game develops the horse's ability to move backward away from and forward toward the handler in a balanced, straight line — building forwardness and draw simultaneously. The Circling Game develops the horse's ability to move on a circle around the handler at various gaits and speeds — the foundation of the on-line and liberty work that characterizes the Parelli program's approach to lunging. The Sideways Game develops lateral movement parallel to the fence or without a fence — the foundation of leg yielding, sidepass, and lateral work under saddle. The Squeeze Game develops the horse's confidence in moving through tight spaces and between the handler and various objects — addressing the claustrophobia that many horses feel in narrow passages and building confidence through successful navigation of progressively tighter squeezes.