Ear TTouches can be used to help alleviate colic or shock

Even the most prepared horse and rider can find themselves in a challenging situation on the trail. When you’re far from home — and a veterinarian isn’t close by — it’s crucial that you know steps to take when a crisis arises. That knowledge and your quick action can make all the difference in the outcome.

Here are six TTouches that can offer help in emergency situations on the trail.

Ear TTouches
Use in following situations: Colic, shock, injury, tying-up syndrome
What they do: Calms the horse, reduces pain, lowers pulse and respiration, regulates temperature, helps alleviate shock
How to perform them: Slide your hand from the middle of the poll over the base of the horse’s ear all the way to the tip of the ear. Emphasize contact with the tip, giving a gentle twist of the tip between fingers and thumb as you glide your hand off the ear. Once the horse is comfortable with having his ears stroked, you can slide your thumb along the inside of the ear as you’re stroking the outside. (Note: Ear TTouches should be done vigorously in the case of shock.)

Belly Lift
Use for: Colic, tying-up syndrome
What it does: Helps relieve spasms and eases the tension of cramped abdominal muscles, stimulates normal gut action, activates the paristolic action of the gut to relieve pain.
How to perform it: Use a large towel folded lengthwise so it’s about 6 to 8 inches wide. If there are two people, you can also use a girth or surcingle, or two people can use their arms and lock hands under the horse’s belly.

Using the TTouch Belly Lift technique have one person on each side of the horse, hold the towel/girth/your arms under the horse.

With two people: With one person on each side of the horse, hold the towel/girth/your arms under the horse. Start just behind the front legs. Hold the towel steady and slowly lift until you can’t lift any more. Hold about 10 seconds and then SLOWLY release the pressure. It’s important to release slowly – ideally, the release time should be twice as long as the lift. Move the towel 4 to 6 inches towards the horse’s hindquarters and repeat. Continue Belly Lifts until you are as close to the flank as the horse will allow. Repeat the lifting cycle 3 or 4 times, starting behind the elbow each time. In cases of extreme abdominal pain, the lifts and holds must be shorter. If your horse cannot accept the lifts, the holding period at the top of the lift may have to be left out. Counting out loud seems to relieve many horses. For example, say “Lift, 1, 2, 3, 4. Release, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.”
With one person: Drop the folded towel over the horse’s back and catch it under the belly. Hold one end a few inches below the spine on your side. The other end of the towel should come up from under the belly. Proceed with lifts as described above, holding steady with the hand on the spine and lifting with the other.

Tail TTouch
Use for: Gas colic.
What it does: activates the acupressure gas point to cause the horse to release gas
How to perform it: Make deliberate press-and-release circles with fingers 1 and 2, moving in one-eighth inch increments on the acupressure gas point just above the anus and under the root of the tail.

Lying Leopard TTouches
Use for: Injury, shock
What they do: Reduces pain and prevents swelling in acute injury.
How to perform them: The primary connection comes from your partially flattened fingers in this TTouch, not the palm of your hand. Move the horse’s skin in a circle with contact from the first two phalanges of your four fingers. Don’t press with the heel of your hand as this will flatten your fingers and make it hard to perform circles.

Tail Pulls
Use for: Exhaustion, fatigue.
What they do: The tail is actually an extension of the nervous system and contains 18-24 vertebrae. Relaxes the horse’s neck and back, activates the cranial-sacral fluid that runs through the spine, helps release tight muscles in the hindquarters.
How to perform them: Stand slightly to the side of your horse’s hindquarters, angled so that your one foot is in front of the other. Hold the horse’s raised tail firmly in both hands. Slowly shift your weight from your leading foot to your back foot, applying a steady pull to the tail without bending your elbows. Hold the traction for a few seconds and then slowly shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot, releasing the pull. Releasing slowly is very important. Repeat two or three times.

Coiled Python Lift
Use for: Exhaustion, fatigue.
What it does: Relaxes muscle tension and spasms in the back
How to perform it: Begin at the top of the leg. (For exhaustion/muscle fatigue, work on the inside of the horse’s thighs.) Using the flat of your hand, lightly move the skin in a circle with one hand, then push the skin upwards with both hands. Hold for four seconds, supporting the skin as it returns slowly to the beginning place. As you make circles against the skin inside the horse’s thigh, you’ll want to give a slight lift to the muscles.

Cynthia McFarland is a full-time freelance writer and avid trail rider who writes regularly for national horse publications. She’s also the author of eight books.

Here’s one more post-trailering TTouch.

Before You Begin
Don’t just unload your horse, then immediately tie him to the trailer or a tree. Give him an opportunity to stretch his legs by walking him around for several minutes after unloading. Before you saddle up, trot him out to check for soundness.
If your horse is hot from the trailer or the weather is especially warm, lead him to a shady area and thoroughly wet your horse down, with the exception of his hindquarters.
Pay particular attention to your horse’s poll. Place a small, wet towel under the halter’s crownpiece, and leave it there. Soak the upper inside portions of his hind legs.
Check your horse for signs of heat exhaustion: elevated respiratory rate; elevated pulse; irregular heartbeat; elevated body temperature; dehydration; profuse sweating or no sweating at all; discolored mucous membranes; and/or lethargy.
If your horse shows any signs of heat exhaustion, continue to douse him with water. Call a veterinarian, keep your horse in the shade, and perform Ear TTouches while waiting for the vet to arrive.

Before you begin the TTouch work, halter your horse, and loosely hold the lead line, or tie your horse to your trailer.

Flick of the Bear Paw
What it is: Flick of the Bear’s Paw TTouch is reminiscent of “strapping,” the traditional British method of slapping a braided mat of hay on the horse’s body to activate circulation and strengthen muscles.
What it does: “Wakes up” feeling in your horse’s body without creating nervousness.
How to perform it: With your hand in a slightly cupped position, make quick flicking motions along each side of the horse’s body. Imagine a bear’s paw fishing for salmon, or how you position your hand when brushing lint off clothing. The amount of pressure used will vary from horse to horse. Some enjoy a vigorous movement and contact, while others prefer a very light, almost sweeping touch.

Linda Tellington-Jones
Linda Tellington-Jones (www.ttouch.com) has completed six 100-mile Western States Trail Foundation Tevis Cup endurance rides. She’s been an official member of the veterinary team for the United States Endurance Team.
A former U.S. Pony Club instructor and an American Horse Show Association judge, as well as a judge and competitor in the North American Trail Ride Conference events, Tellington-Jones was a founding member of the California Dressage Society.
Tellington-Jones is internationally renowned for creating the Tellington Method, a holistic system of training horses that deepens mutual trust, overrides common resistances, and strengthens the horse-human bond. When not on the road, she resides with her husband, Roland Kleger, on the Big Island of Hawaii.

You already know how important it is that your horse be fit and in condition so he’s prepared for such outings. But sometimes, even the most prepared horse and rider can find themselves in a challenging situation on the trail.

When you’re far from home — and a veterinarian isn’t close by — it’s crucial that you know steps to take when a crisis arises. That knowledge and your quick action can make all the difference in the outcome.
Here’s how two TTouches can offer help in emergency scenarios.
(For more TTouches for trail emergencies, see The Joy of Riding, The Trail Rider, July/August ’12.)

Tail TTouch
Use it for: Gas colic.
What it does: Activates the acupressure gas point to cause your horse to release gas.
How to perform it: With your index and middle fingers, make deliberate press-and-release circles, moving in one-eighth-inch increments on the acupressure gas point just above your horse’s anus and under the root of his tail.

Lying Leopard TTouches
Use them for: Injury; shock.
What they do: Help reduce pain and prevent swelling in acute injury. How to perform them: The primary connection comes from your partially flattened fingers in this TTouch, not the palm of your hand. Move your horse’s skin in a circle with contact from the first two phalanges of your four fingers. Don’t press with the heel of your hand, as this will flatten your fingers and make it hard to perform circles.

How Much Pressure?

TTouch pressures range on a scale from one to nine. A “one pressure” is the lightest contact you can make with your fingertips to move the skin in a circle-and-a-quarter without sliding over the surface.

Tellington-Jones recommends a “three pressure” for most parts of the horse’s body to reduce tension and promote relaxation. TTouch isn’t a form of massage. The intent is to communicate with the body at the cellular level.

To learn the scale, begin with the “one pressure” as a guideline. To establish this criterion, place your thumb against your cheek. With the tip of your middle finger, push the skin on your eyelid in a circle and a quarter with the lightest possible contact. (Be sure to move the skin rather than just sliding over it.)

Take your finger away, and repeat this movement on your forearm to get a sense of the pressure. Observe how little of an indentation you make in the skin. This is a “one pressure” TTouch.

For a “three pressure,” make several circles on your eyelid as firm as feels safe and comfortable. Repeat the circles on your forearm, noting the depth and pressure of the indentation. It should still be very light.

For a “six pressure,” tip the first joints of your fingers so that your fingernails are pointing directly into the muscle, and apply three times the pressure.

Use enough pressure to be effective, but not so much that your horse doesn’t like it. Listen to what your horse “says” in response to your TTouch intention.

Tellington-Jones has completed six 100-mile Western States Trail Foundation Tevis Cup endurance rides and held a world record in endurance riding by winning the Jim Shoulders 100. She’s been a member of the veterinary team for the United States Endurance Team, and a judge and competitor in North American Trail Ride Conference events.

To help your horse to feel more connected with the ground, stroke his legs and tap his hooves.

Photo courtesy of Linda Tellington-Jones

Once you fully recover your seat, you aren’t sure whether to reprimand or soothe him. You continue forward, but at a brisk walk instead of a trot. As you do, you can’t help but take up a little more rein and keep your legs closer to his sides.

Horses do spook because they’re tense or fearful. But some may spook out of habit, playfulness, or because they don’t see clearly.

“In certain bloodlines, it might even be genetic,” observes Linda Tellington-Jones. “Lady Wentworth, the famous Arabian Horse breeder, once wrote: ‘If they don’t shy from a butterfly, they should be shot.’

“For many generations in the desert, Arabians needed to be extremely aware, as their rider’s life was dependent on detecting any movement of an enemy on the horizon even before the rider did.”

But let’s face it; the odds of an enemy lurking on your horizon are slim. So how can you convince your horse that spooking isn’t necessary — or even desirable?

“Your horse’s flight reflex has been fine-tuned to be prepared to escape at the first suggestion of a threat,” says Tellington-Jones. “Horses that shy are often simply displaying a well-preserved flight reflex. “It’s our job to teach our equine companions to override this ancient impulse by listening to and trusting the rider, or simply stopping — instead of running off — when unsure.”

Why Horses Spook

Tellington-Jones notes that spooky horses often share one or more of the following characteristics:

“A horse can be taught to carry himself differently by bringing his back up to release his neck and shoulders. A more level carriage of the neck allows him to see differently.

“Attempting to change a horse’s posture mechanically with running martingales, tie-downs, or other ‘aids’ doesn’t seem to affect the behavior in a way that will make permanent changes,” she continues. “Whereas, lowering his head and lengthening his neck by bringing his back up and opening his shoulder can affect a permanent change in his posture.

“Change the posture; change the behavior.”

Set up a “playground of obstacles.” Use different surfaces, such as plastic, plywood and cardboard.

Photo courtesy of Linda Tellington-Jones

Obstacle Course

If your horse has fear issues, work on exercises to build trust and confidence — in himself, as well as in yourself.

Set up a “playground of obstacles.” Use different surfaces, such as plastic, plywood and cardboard. By using these items in a controlled environment, your horse can learn to trust and be obedient.
You don’t want your horse to just “put up with” doing things, but to actually be confident in what you’re asking.

“If your horse believes there are unseen monsters in a corner of the indoor arena, for example, set a shallow rubber tub there with grain at chest level,” suggests Tellington-Jones. “The eating will help to override the fear.”

Setting up obstacles in these parts of the arena can also be helpful.

Consider using a Balance Rein and, when you mount up, a Tellington Training Bit (both available on www.ttouch.com).

Spooky horses often become even more reactive when the rider tightens the reins in an effort to prevent or control the spook. By using the Balance Rein, you won’t have to take hold of your horse’s mouth.

The Tellington Training Bit helps steady your horse (and you), while keeping his back up and his head down.

As soon as your horse shows confidence when you lead him through the obstacle course from the ground, tack him up, and ride through the course.

Photo courtesy of Linda Tellington-Jones

You’ll also need: Halter; lead rope; your usual trail-riding tack.

Before you begin: Set up several obstacles in an enclosed corral or pasture with good footing. It helps to use items similar to things your horse has spooked at in the past, such as a log or stump, a plastic trash bag or tarp, cardboard boxes, a piece of plywood, a bicycle, and an umbrella.

Step 1. Lower his head. Outfit your horse in a halter and lead rope, and ask him to lower his head.

Step 2. Walk him through the course. Walk your horse through the obstacles, always asking for a lowered head. Take your time. Stop when necessary, and just stand there. Speak in a low, soothing voice. Praise your horse and rub him as he becomes more accepting of the various objects. Don’t feel that you have to accomplish it all in one session, but don’t end a session with your horse acting nervous or “antsy” about an object.

Step 3. Ride through the course. As soon as your horse shows confidence when you lead him through the obstacle course from the ground, tack him up, and ride through the course. Ask your horse to lower his head by reaching forward from the saddle and working his neck with your hand. If you become concerned about your safety, get off!

Linda Tellington-Jones

Linda Tellington-Jones
Linda Tellington-Jones (www.ttouch.com) is internationally renowned for creating the Tellington Method, a holistic system of training horses that deepens mutual trust, overrides common resistances, and strengthens the horse-human bond. Her riding style incorporates a sense of athletics, freedom, cooperation, and joy.

Tellington-Jones has completed six 100-mile Western States Trail Foundation Tevis Cup endurance rides and held a world record in endurance riding by winning the Jim Shoulders 100. She’s been a member of the veterinary team for the United States Endurance Team, and a judge and competitor in North American Trail Ride Conference events.

If a safe, adventurous ride is what you want — and who doesn’t? — one of the most valuable things you can do is to build trust with your horse. Linda Tellington-Jones, creator of TTouch, explains how.

This bond of trust flows both ways. When you build trust with your horse and the horse trusts your leadership, he becomes a willing partner that gives 100 percent.

When you trust your horse, you give him the direction and guidance he needs to feel confident and perform to the best of his ability. When you build trust with your horse, your confidence builds too. Trust becomes an endless circle that builds on itself and becomes stronger over time.

“I once read about Native Americans training their horses at night, because it develops ultimate trust between human and horse,” notes Linda-Tellington-Jones, creator of TTouch.

“I trained my great endurance mare, Bint Gulida, at night and we had a connection that was truly deep. She trusted me in every situation, including winning the Jim Shoulders 100 Mile Endurance Ride in 1961 when we finished almost six hours before the second-place finisher.

“There was absolutely no moon during that competition, so we totally trusted each other to find our way to the end of the ride. I think that trust lends a solid base to ultimate performance.”

Create Connections
We tend to overlook the fact that confidence in your horse is linked to physical aspects. By using TTouch, you create neural connections that enhance his coordination and body awareness.

You can help your horse reach his highest potential and develop a meaningful bond of trust simply by using the tool of TTouch.

“It’s amazing how these gentle TTouch movements can create a connection between horse and human based on trust,” says Tellington-Jones. “That trust can literally save your life out on the trail when you’re in a challenging, even dangerous, situation.

“And believe me, I’ve faced a few!” she adds with a laugh.

“TTouch organize the body by rebalancing the cells, leading to the ultimate physical and mental well-being of the horse,” Tellington-Jones continues. “When we realize that the cells hold emotions, it just makes sense that TTouching a horse will help connect us to the animal in a trusting way.”

Be aware of your own body position when doing TTouch on your horse. Unlock your knees. Stand with your feet slightly apart. Lift your heels so that your weight is centered over the balls. This stance allows you to move quickly, should your horse move abruptly.

Here, we’ll give you a TTouch you can do to build trust in your horse. (For more trust-building T Touch, see The Joy of Riding, The Trail Rider, March ’12.) Then we’ll tell you how your mind-set can affect your horse’s outlook and behavior on the trail.

The powerful ability to create change can happen by using the tool of your mind. Obviously, training itself is an essential part of having a trusting, confident trail horse, but you can enhance your horse’s physical and mental abilities by taking charge of your thoughts.

“One of the most important aspects of training is paying attention to the pictures you make in your mind,” says Tellington-Jones.

The mental images you create have a powerful influence on your horse’s actions. If you’re

“Horses tune into our ‘mental pictures,’ regardless of what they are,” says Linda Tellington-Jones.

Photo courtesy of Heidi Nyland Melocco

uncertain or apprehensive, your horse senses this immediately. Likewise, if you visualize your horse proceeding smoothly along the trail or negotiating an obstacle calmly and successfully, he picks up on those mental pictures.

“Years ago I campaigned a marvelous Hungarian stallion named Hungarian Brado for Countess Margit Bessenyey,” recalls Tellington-Jones. “He was a 6-year-old when I got him from Virginia. He was an incredible athlete and had been considered for the U.S. Jumping Team, but he simply would not jump ditches; he wouldn’t even go near them.

“Three weeks after he arrived for training, I was scheduled to compete in a three-day event at Pebble Beach, California — and Pebble Beach has lots of ditches!

“I took Brado out onto the cross-country course a few days before the competition, riding areas that weren’t part of the competitive course. We were walking along and about 70 feet from a ditch, Brado stopped dead in his tracks.

“When you’re riding a stallion and they stop like that, they make themselves as solid and stiff as a brick wall. I knew that this horse had been ridden by a number of really good riders who could not get him over a ditch. In spite of much effort no rider had been successful.

“I used a very different approach. The moment Brado stopped dead, instead of attempting to urge him forward, I sat absolutely still and quieted my mind completely. I held a clear mental picture of Brado moving forward. In my mind, I gave him no option to go left, no option to go right, no option to go backward.

“I sat there in the saddle, fixing my sight beyond the ditch, holding the possibility of Brado making the choice to change his mind and walk forward and jump the ditch. I must have sat there for a full five minutes. But I wasn’t sitting passively; I was sitting ‘actively still’ and holding that possibility and vision.

“Then without any prompting from me, Brado lowered his head, walked forward, and jumped over the three-foot ditch on his own. I didn’t urge him. I just sat there. And I never had him stop at a ditch again. I campaigned that stallion for five years, including earning a Tevis buckle on him.

“What I did intuitively back then was hold a ‘clear intention.’ This concept is now researched extensively. I simply held a mental image of the possibility of something I wanted to happen without a doubt.

“When I was sitting on Brado, I visualized my head as clear as an empty gourd, with the exception of holding this one possibility of him moving forward. There were boundaries left, right and back; the only open space was forward.

“I’ve used this method for years, but it takes practice. You can’t think ‘what if’ thoughts or picture negative images. Horses tune into our ‘mental pictures,’ regardless of what they are.

“Choosing a positive image of what you want takes practice, but can reap miraculous benefits to help you create the perfect, safe companion on the trail.”

Linda Tellington-Jones

Linda Tellington-Jones
Linda Tellington-Jones (www.ttouch.com) is internationally renowned for creating the Tellington Method a holistic system of training horses that deepens mutual trust, overrides common resistances, and strengthens the horse-human bond. Her riding style incorporates a sense of athletics, freedom, cooperation, and joy.

Tellington-Jones has completed six 100-mile Western States Trail Foundation Tevis Cup endurance rides and held a world record in endurance riding by winning the Jim Shoulders 100. She’s been a member of the veterinary team for the United States Endurance Team, and a judge and competitor in North American Trail Ride Conference events.



Bedouins in Arabia thought so, hundreds of years ago. So did European gypsies, famed for their close bond to horses. Even some of America’s “old time” horsemen of the 1940s and ’50s put a fair bit of stock in horse hair whorl analysis.

But—in modern times?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Since the pioneering work of author and educator Linda Tellington-Jones in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, the interest in using horse hair swirls, or horse hair whorls, to evaluate disposition has been gradually gaining adherents. Now there’s even some science to back up the notion that outward characteristics such as hair swirls are linked in fundamental ways to inward characteristics such as temperament.

In this article, we’ll share a little of the history of swirl analysis, relate a few anecdotes and opinions, and look at a relevant study on swirls and temperament. We’ll also touch on the predictive value of such other physical characteristics as body traits and coat color, plus consider what’s been found to be true in other species.

After that, you can go out to the barn, examine your own horse, and decide for yourself how much of a book you can tell by its cover.

What Is A Whorl?
A whorl or swirl is a patch of hair growing in the opposite direction of the surrounding hair, usually in a pinwheel fashion. It’s commonly found on the head, and especially the face. Whorls are also known as trichoglyphs, or cowlicks when they appear elsewhere on the body.

Because every horse’s whorls are distinctive, like a fingerprint, recording their location and character is one of the oldest forms of identifying horses—especially those without white markings.

But these days, that’s not all they’re used for. Ask Doug Carpenter, whose reputation for picking future winners is well established in the performance horse world (see “Shop A Horse Auction Like A Pro,” February ’07). The Sulphur, Oklahoma, horseman has bought or sold such standout individuals as Boomernic, 1992 National Reining Horse Association Futurity champion; Smart Zanolena, 1999 National Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity champion; and Chics Magic Potion, 2003 NRCHA Futurity champion. His client list includes the likes of Clinton Anderson, Bob Avila, Shawn Flarida, Benny Guitron, Dell Hendricks, and Tim McQuay.

He’s clearly the real deal, and one of his criteria for evaluating prospects is hair swirl patterns.

“I started looking at them years ago out of curiosity, then narrowed it down to a system that works for me,” he says, noting that his ideal combination—in terms of indicating the likelihood of a willing, trainable prospect—is one swirl centered on the forehead between the eyes, and two matching swirls on either side of the bridle path, “not extending beyond the length of the ears when they’re folded back.”

He adds that in some lines of horses, a single swirl centered below the level of the eyes is also a positive indication, and two swirls close together can be OK—“though not in all instances,” he cautions. “It’s like every other theory—not 100 percent.”

By contrast, if a horse has two or more swirls that are relatively spread apart on the face, “I’m a little concerned,” he says. Though swirls are an important consideration in Carpenter’s evaluations, they’re not necessarily a make-or-break proposition. “If I really like a horse but his swirls don’t line up the way I prefer, it’s not a crucial deal,” he explains. “But if a horse is already questionable, and I haven’t really locked in and committed to him mentally, and his swirls are all out of line, it pretty much rules that horse out.” That’s how one modern and highly successful horseman makes use of swirls, and though he’s tailored his method for his own purposes, he’s following in a well-established tradition.

Swirls 'Back Then'
The practice of using hair swirls as predictors of a horse’s temperament and usability dates back centuries among gypsies and Bedouins. It was in the 1980s and ’90s, however, that it became popularized through the books and clinics of Linda Tellington-Jones. In 1965, before the horsewoman had established her now-famous “equine awareness method,” she analyzed the results of a questionnaire sent to horse owners; the survey netted observations on the swirl patterns and behavior characteristics of 1,500 horses.

Tellington-Jones’ resulting breakdown of swirl patterns and their relationship to personality traits is detailed and specific. In general, however, she found that a single swirl in the center of the forehead indicated an uncomplicated nature; a single swirl centered below the level of the eyes indicated an intelligent, possibly mischievous nature; a single, long swirl between or extending below the eyes indicated an especially friendly, agreeable nature; and two or more swirls generally indicated a more complicated personality in some way. (For more detail on her analyses, see Getting In TTouch: Understand and Influence Your Horse’s Personality, Trafalgar 1995; HorseBooksEtc.com.)

Tellington-Jones has consistently stressed that the best use of swirl analysis is in discovering how best to approach a particular horse’s training.

“If a horse’s swirls tell you he’s the more temperamental type, then you know not to get after him for ‘attitude,’ as that will just upset him more,” she says. “Many of my top horses had two swirls. Nowadays we have so many more ways to deal with such horses—to teach them to think instead of react.”

These include:

• Poor condition. “A horse who exhibits stiffness or a sore back after a long trail ride may not have been conditioned or prepared for the ride,” says Tellington-Jones.
• Poor carriage. Your horse’s carriage (posture) as he travels down the trail is another sore-back cause. Poor carriage includes a high head, hollow back, ewe neck, and over-eager/pulling on the bit. Such postures will make him hold his breath and tighten his muscles, resulting in a sore, stiff back.
• Poor/wrong equipment. Equipment causes are easy to overlook. For instance, a mechanical hackamore’s long shanks may swing when your horse is in motion, even when he’s just walking. Many horses will lift their heads in an effort to prevent the swinging. This raised head carriage can cause back stiffness and soreness.
• Poor saddle fit. “Saddle fit can certainly lead to a stiff and sore back,” says Tellington-Jones. “If your horse is uncomfortable because the saddle is pushing into his shoulder when he’s in motion, especially at the trot, he’ll most likely develop a sore back. He’ll tighten his muscles to pull away from the pressure in his shoulder blades.”

A saddle that bridges your horse’s back (that is, rests on two points over his withers and two points over his loins) will also cause soreness.

“If you have a short-backed horse, the saddle’s cantle may seem to fit while he’s standing,” notes Tellington-Jones. “But when his head comes up to go into the trot or canter, his back will often drop, and the cantle will jam into the top of the pelvis. Of course, this will hurt, and he’ll drop his back even more.”

Also, keep in mind that horses change shape as they age and with their fitness level. A saddle that fit your horse when he was 3 years old may not fit when he’s 6.

To make sure your saddle fits, seek out professional advice.

• Uncomfortable saddle pad. Use a saddle pad that makes the saddle as comfortable as possible for your horse.

“I’ve had success with the Cloud Nine saddle pads (www.cloudninesaddlepads.com), developed by Matthew Mackay-Smith, DVM,” says Tellington-Jones. “I’ve seen horses with sore backs recover during a ride by switching to a Cloud Nine pad. The other pad I like is the Skito pad (www.skito.net).”

TTouch Solutions
The good news is that you can often prevent sore backs and/or relieve stiffness by performing Tellington TTouches before and after you ride.

Also, consider using a TTouch Balance Rein (available at www.ttouch.com) on your trail horse. This is a simple, braided, looped piece that you hold along with your regular reins. It works on the area of your horse where his neck ties into his shoulders.

“A Balance Rein will rate your horse — slow him down without raising his head or pulling on the bit,” says Tellington-Jones. “When you engage the Balance Rein, it puts pressure on his chest, shifting the center of gravity back, slowing him down, and bringing him into balance and off the forehand.

“It’s ideal for horses that are above the bit, behind the vertical, or strung out. It’s remarkable how the Balance Rein can help to increase suppleness and mobility in the back, rather than making your horse sore and stiff because you have to hold him back with the reins and bit.

“The Balance Rein can also help you avoid a tug-of-war with your horse, and keep you from pulling on the reins.

Incorporating the TTouches described here into your regular pre-ride and post-ride routines will go a long way toward avoiding back stiffness and soreness in your horse.

Just 10 minutes of TTouch exercises before a ride will help your horse round his back and loosen his muscles. A series of TTouches after a ride will help your horse eat better, sleep better, and recover better than he would otherwise,” says Tellington-Jones.

Below is how to use TTouch Tail Pulls to relieve your horse’s stiff back. (For five more stiff-back solutions, see The Trail Rider, May ’11.)

TTouch Tail Pulls are useful in the case of muscle fatigue in unconditioned trail horses.

Photo courtesy of Linda Tellington-Jones

TTouch Tail-Pulls
TTouch Tail Pulls are useful in the case of muscle fatigue in unconditioned trail horses. Not only does pulling the tail relax the back and neck, but it also activates cranial-sacral fluid through the spine.

“Your horse’s tail has between 18 and 21 vertebrae that are an extension of the spine,” says Tellington-Jones. “Many horses actually lean into the Tail Pull; imagine how good it must feel to them to stretch like that. It only takes a few minutes to gently pull and hold the tail, then put a little tension on it, then gently and slowly release.

“It takes only three or four times with this exercise to help your horse,” she continues. “Once, a student’s horse started trembling about 30 miles into a 100-mile endurance ride. My student did Tail Pulls, and the horse stopped the trembling in about 20 minutes and recovered enough to be ridden out to a waiting trailer.”

To perform tail pulls, stand slightly to the side of your horse’s hindquarters, angled so that one foot is in front of the other.

Hold your horse’s raised tail firmly in both hands. Shift your weight from your leading foot to your back foot, applying a steady pull to the tail without bending your elbows.

Hold the traction for a few seconds and then slowly shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot, releasing the pull. Releasing slowly is very important. Repeat two or three times.

Don’t be surprised if your horse turns his head around to see what feels so good or leans into the pull!

Cynthia McFarland is a full-time freelance writer who writes regularly for national horse publications. The author of eight books, her most recent is Cow-horse Confidence, written with Martin Black (Western Horseman Publishing). Horse-crazy since childhood, she owns a small farm in north central Florida. She and her Paint Horse gelding, Ben, enjoy regular trail-riding adventures.

Photo courtesy of Linda Tellington-Jones

Linda Tellington-Jones
Linda Tellington-Jones (www.ttouch.com) is a lifelong horsewoman who’s competed extensively in combined training, hunter/jumper, and dressage events.

She’s completed six 100-mile Western States Trail Foundation Tevis Cup endurance rides and held a world record in endurance riding by winning the Jim Shoulders 100 some six hours before the second place rider. She’s been an official member of the veterinary team for the United States Endurance Team.

Tellington-Jones is internationally renowned for creating the Tellington Method, a holistic system of training horses that deepens mutual trust, overrides common resistances, and strengthens the horse-human bond.

She’s written 19 books on the Tellington Method and TTouch, and has produced 18 videos. There are more than 1,500 certified Tellington Training Practitioners in 27 countries.

You love to get away from it all. Trekking into the backcountry on a good horse is one of the most satisfying ways to spend time with like-minded friends.

While being away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life is heavenly, you can’t escape the fact that when you’re miles down the trail, you’re also far from veterinary help. In the event of an equine emergency, will you know how to respond?

Linda Tellington-Jones is perhaps best known for her revolutionary Tellington Method, which uses bodywork known as TTouch (pronounced “tee-touch”) to influence the horse’s behavior, performance, and ability to learn.

“I see TTouch as jump-starting the communication network between the cells so the healing potential of the body is reactivated,” Tellington-Jones explains.

Tellington-Jones is also an avid trail rider. With six Tevis Cup completions and years of competitive trail rides under her belt, she’s familiar with the kind of emergencies that can crop up miles from home.

Here, Tellington-Jones explains how TTouch can literally be lifesaving on a trail ride when you and your horse are far from veterinary assistance.

First, we’ll describe four common emergency scenarios — colic, tying up syndrome, exhaustion/fatigue, and shock — and give you recommended touches for each one. Then we’ll describe how to perform each touch, in detail (page 46). Along the way, we’ll tell you why it’s important for you to know your horse’s normal vital signs (page 44).

Important note: If your horse suffers from a serious condition, call your veterinarian immediately, or as soon as you have a phone connection. Bring an equine first-aid kit on every ride, and know first-aid basics. The following suggestions are presented as supplementary and temporary measures only.

Trail Emergency #1: Colic

About colic: Colic, a digestive disorder, is the No. 1 killer of horses. “One of the most common problems on the trail is colic,” notes Tellington-Jones. “It happens so often for one reason or another and seems to happen more  when people are camping out.

Typically, the first sign of colic is when a horse loses interest in eating or totally goes off his feed, accompanied by a lack of or diminished gut sounds. The more obvious symptoms of kicking or biting at his sides, sweating, rolling, and pawing usually come later.

Regularly check your horse’s feed intake when you’re camping out or traveling. Catching a colic episode in the early stage will allow you to treat him immediately, often with faster and better results than if the colic has reached more advanced stages.

Recommended TTouches: Ear TTouches and Belly Lifts are the recommended TTouch treatment for colic. If you’re dealing with gas colic, you may also want to use TTouch on the acupressure gas point under the root of the tail. (See sidebar on page 46 for step-by-step instructions on TTouches.)

Ear work helps reduce pain and shock, supports the immune system, and helps regulate temperature, as well as pulse and respiration rates, says Tellington-Jones. These sliding and circular touches also calm and soothe an anxious or fearful horse.

Belly lifts help relieve spasms and ease the tension of cramped abdominal muscles, while stimulating normal gut action. Belly lifts activate the peristaltic action (the gut’s wavelike muscle contractions that move feed through the digestive system) to relieve pain.

“With the ear TTouches and the slow belly lifts, you’ll often start to see the horse getting some relief and becoming more comfortable within 20 to 30 minutes in the case of a mild colic,” Tellington-Jones notes. “If the horse is still showing signs of pain, I continue doing ear work and belly lifts while waiting for veterinary help. We’ve found this to be more helpful than just walking the horse.”

Note: As you perform the TTouches, check on your horse’s progress by taking his vital signs, then comparing them to the norm. (For more on vital signs, see “Know What’s Normal” on page 44.) Gut sounds are particularly important, as they indicate digestive movement, which can resolve a colic episode. 

“My experience has been that if the horse isn’t okay and recovering within an hour, it’s important that you get your vet,” notes Tellington-Jones. “We have hundreds of cases where TTouch has worked, but if you don’t get satisfactory results with the horse’s pulse and respiration returned to normal, this is a sign of continued pain and stress. You need to get to a vet.”

[PAGEBREAK]

Trail Emergency #2: Tying-Up Syndrome

About tying-up syndrome:  Tying-up syndrome (technically known as azoturia, exertional rhabdomyolysis, or myositis) can occur when a horse isn’t adequately conditioned for exertion. Causes are physical overexertion, dehydration, emotional stress, a diet high in grain, a lack of exercise, or a combination of these factors.

Signs include knotted muscles, profuse sweating, and a reluctance to move. Your horse may stop suddenly because his hindquarter and loin muscles are so tight he simply can’t continue. (You can actually feel the heat radiating off these “tied-up’’ muscles, which are extremely tight and hard when palpated.) This can be terrifying, especially if you’re far from your trailer.

Recommended TTouches: “If your horse starts acting abnormally and can’t move, ear work is very valuable,” says Tellington-Jones. “Make a circle at the base of the ear, and stroke firmly to the tip. Do one ear at a time, and alternate ears. If your horse is in extreme pain, be very careful. You can get hurt, because he won’t be thinking about anything but the pain.”

Belly Lifts are also recommended, because when your horse’s loins become tight, his abdominal muscles will also tighten up.

Trail Emergency #3: Exhaustion/Muscle Fatigue

About exhaustion/muscle fatigue: Exhaustion and muscle fatigue may occur if your horse isn’t properly conditioned to exertion. They’re signs that you’ve asked too much of him on your ride.  Signs are a temporary loss of strength and energy. The horse might also be sweaty and dehydrated.

“Trembling, combined with elevated respiration and pulse, is a sign of muscle fatigue and exhaustion,” says Tellington-Jones. “Make sure your horse is properly conditioned, and watch the weather. Humidity can really increase the stress on a horse, especially if he’s not in condition. Heat combined with humidity can be a double whammy.”

If you see these signs in your horse, immediately dismount, remove the saddle, find shade, and offer him water. (Carry a collapsible bucket on your saddle so you’ll be able to transport water from a nearby stream or lake.)

Recommended TTouches: After your horse drinks, start performing Ear TTouches and gentle Tail Pulls. Tail pulls relax his neck and back, activate the cranial-sacral fluid that runs through his spine, and help release tight muscles in his hindquarters. The Coiled Python Lift can also help, as it reduces muscle tension and spasms in the back.

Trail Emergency #4: Shock

About shock: If your horse becomes injured on the trail, shock is often not far behind. Shock is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. A horse’s circulatory system shuts down, depriving his body of oxygen. This can lead to organ failure, and ultimately, death. Signs include rapid breathing, shaking, a weak pulse, pale membranes, and cold limbs/ears.

Shock can occur if your horse slips and falls off the trail, sustains a fracture, becomes seriously chilled, or suffers from a colic episode. Your injured horse can also lose enough blood to induce shock. (Obviously, if your horse is bleeding, your first priority is to stop the blood flow.) 

Recommended TTouches: Start Ear TTouches, as this can prevent shock, or help bring your horse out of shock. Work both ears at the same time, then alternate, using firm strokes. This will help promote normal system function and reduce pain, as well as bring the pulse and respiration to normal rates.

“If your horse has a lowered body temperature (his ear tips will be ice cold), work his ears vigorously,” advises Tellington-Jones. “Wrap a towel around his ears and poll to warm his head as you stroke his ears under it, or wrap a blanket around his neck. This will warm his jugular veins to help warm up his body more quickly.”

If possible, keep your horse’s body warm with blankets or towels. Stuff dry hay between your horse and the blanket to help warm him.

Tellington-Jones continues to teach, write, and work with horses around the world, including a number of Olympic horses and riders. When not on the road presenting clinics and demonstrations, she and her husband, Roland Kleger, reside on the Big Island of Hawaii. (For more information and clinic dates, visit www.ttouch.com.)

Here, Tellington-Jones offers two anecdotes on how TTouch has helped horses during an emergency. (To find out how TTouch can literally be lifesaving on a trail ride when you and your horse are far from veterinary assistance, and how to perform several TTouches, see “A Touch of Healing,” Safe & Sound, The Trail Rider, July/August ’10.)

Important note: If your horse suffers from a serious condition, call your veterinarian immediately.  

Anecdote #1: Colic

Several years ago, horse owner Peggy Leach attended the Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento, California, and watched one of Tellington-Jones’s presentations. Sometime later, she and her husband were camping in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when her mare, Sienna, colicked.

Leach and her husband performed Belly Lifts. The mare quickly recovered and had no further problems with colic during the camping trip.

Anecdote #2: Shock

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]]> http://www.equisearch.com/uncategorized/power-touch/feed/ 0 http://www.equisearch.com/uncategorized/7-horse-behavior-myths-busted/ http://www.equisearch.com/uncategorized/7-horse-behavior-myths-busted/#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:43:37 +0000 Heidi Nyland http://www.myhorse.com/7-horse-behavior-myths-busted.html An extraordinarily accomplished horsewoman in her own right, Linda Tellington-Jones is perhaps best known for creating the Tellington TTouch Training Method over 30 years ago.

She continues to teach, write and work with horses around the world, including a number of Olympic horses and riders, still spending a great deal of time on the road presenting clinics and demonstrations. (For hands-on advice from Tellington-Jones on handling on-trail emergencies with TTouch, see “A Touch of Healing,” Safe & Sound, The Trail Rider, July/August ’10.)

Here, Tellington-Jones addresses seven common equine-behavior myths about equine behavior. (Information excerpted from The Ultimate Horse Behavior and Training Book, Trafalgar Square Publishing).

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