Guest
We would like to welcome you to the Tellington TTouch® Method Virtual Learning Center. Here, you will find educational “How-To“ streaming video lessons featuring TTouch's creator Linda Tellington-Jones and her niece, Level 3 TTouch Practitioner Mandy Pretty working together or with students and their horses. We decided to create these educational videos as an answer to a question students often ask us when they introduce their horses to the Tellington TTouch® tools & techniques: “Am I doing this right?“ After watching these videos, students will be able to answer “Yes!“ with confidence. HOW CAN THE TTOUCH TELLINGTON METHOD HELP MY HORSE? The Tellington TTOUCH® Method is comprised of a combination of four components (TTOUCH® Bodywork, Playground for Higher Learning Ground Exercises, Tools and Techniques and Riding with Awareness) and it is based on two guiding maxims: “Change the Posture: Change Your Horse“ and “Change Your Mind & Change Your Horse“ Used in any number of combinations, these four components offer a gentle, integrated and highly individualized training approach to the care and training of horses and was developed by internationally recognized animal expert, Linda Tellington-Jones, PhD (Hon). Almost a half a century, this proven method is based on cooperation and respect for all animals and their people. Gentle and empathetic, it encourages optimal performance and well-being in horses, based on the understanding that behavioral issues are often caused by pain, soreness, fear or tension in the body. Low-stress and logical, this way of interacting and training horses seeks to take horses beyond instinctual reflexes and teaches horses how to think and act rather than just re-act to stimuli. Its aim is to help horses become more focused, confident, trusting and willing without fear or force. TTouch® is the bodywork and first component of the TTouch Tellington Method and its foundation. After using a light touch exploration to find areas on the horses bodies that reflect tension, fear of contact, soreness or discomfort, specific touches and movements are applied to release fear of contact, muscle tension, ease discomfort and restrictions and improve posture which leads to greater balance, mobility and improved performance. The Playground for Higher Learning is the second component which enables horses to override habitual patterns of posture and movement and to learn without fear or force. Changing postural patterns through movement helps retain the effectiveness of bodywork as well as change behavioral patterns associated with pain or tension. Groundwork exercises in the “Playground for Higher Learning”, use a variety of obstacles (including labyrinth, wood platforms, ground poles and plastic tarps) to help improve the horses self-control, focus, self-confidence, cooperation, balance and coordination. Several unique ways of leading a horse provide opportunities for both horse and rider to increase their teamwork, balance and coordination which can then be transferred to work under saddle. Tools and Techniques such as the Balance Rein, Liberty Rein, Promise Wrap, Lindell (a bitless bridle), Line Driving and Training Bit are the third component and designed to help riders physically help improve their horses proprioception, physical connection and awareness on the ground and under saddle. Riding with Awareness is the fourth and final component. It is based on cavalry style training and uses specific exercises and figures including riding Quadrille to help develop a rider's confidence, feel, timing, hands and seat. Influenced by Linda's experience as a Feldenkrais practitioner, and competitive rider in three-day eventing, dressage and hundred-mile endurance riding. Riding with Awareness increases the comfort, performance and confidence of horse and rider of all disciplines, in all situations. Using the Tellington TTouch Method training approach, horses often demonstrate marked improvement in their athletic skills, increased willingness and ability to perform. Not only does the horse benefit, but a deeper rapport grows between horse and rider thanks to better understanding, more effective communication and cellular harmony. Anyone who shares their life with horses and other animals can use the Tellington TTouch method. Join the TTouch Virtual Learning Center Here: For more information about the Tellington TTouch Method, please go to:
