enlightened horsemanship through touch

Finally, a coherent collection of alternatives to LDR by Linda Tellington-Jones, entitled Rollkur, Hyperflexion, LDR (Low, Deep & Round).

Let me know what you think.

Press release:

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 30, 2009) — “When I heard that Linda Tellington Jones and Gabrielle Boiselle were planning to visit Magali Delgado and Frédéric Pignon on their farm in France, I knew there was a book party waiting to happen,” says publicist Elizabeth McCall, who did the next best thing to being there. She got the famous four friends to bring out the horses, pop some champagne, and have a backyard party to celebrate the release of Gallop to Freedom from Trafalgar Square Books in a way their friends and fans around the world could virtually enjoy–on YouTube. Little did she know the casual barn-side affair would coincide with news that Gallop to Freedom has soared to the #1 horse book on Amazon.com in all major categories, during its first week of release.
“Emceed” by their dear friend Linda Tellington-Jones (Tellington TTouch creator) who delightfully shares her favorite excerpts between toasts to Magali and Frédéric, the founding stars of Cavalia, a pair of the couple’s famous Lusitano stallions join the party — between bites of grass in the back yard. “It’s the goal of our life, work with pleasure!” laughs Magali in the video, standing next to longtime pal and renowned equine photographer Gabrielle Boiselle. “I feel very honored that I’m allowed to make pictures of Frédéric and Magali and their horses. Their relationship is so unique and my biggest goal is to capture this in pictures,” says Gabrielle, whose work is featured in Gallop to Freedom. Don’t miss Gabrielle’s new photos of them at the end of the YouTube video credits–there’s a shot she took of the former Cavalia stars together on horseback that will take your breath away.
Available now from Trafalgar Square Books, Gallop to Freedom presents a touching, mind-opening perspective on horses and life as Frédéric and Magali share the events, experiences, and horses that shaped their training philosophy and the principles they embrace. Visually captured in 187 stunning photos, Gallop to Freedom is a tribute to the power of writing from the heart while communicating the rare and remarkable relationship the couple has with horses (and one another).
Gallop to Freedom is available at major bookstores, Amazon.com and horseandriderbooks.com. Fans can view the press kit at: http://horseandriderbooks.com/pdf/GTF-Media-Consumer.pdf

Join Linda Tellington-Jones on Sunday, May 24, 2009 online at 6:00 p.m. CST as a special guest on The Pet Playground – hosted by Sage Lewis, The Creature Teacher and Tellington TTouch Practitioner Level 3.

This entertaining and educational call-in show is for pets and the people who love them. Find out why your pets act the way they do and how to help them (and you) create a happier, healthier, more balanced life together.

Sage Lewis

Call in with your pet questions: 952-946-6205

Not in Minnesota or just want to hear the discussion? Listen live online at: KTNK.com. (Use 55117 as the zip code.)

Learn more about The Pet Playground

Learn more about Sage: Dancing Porcupine

© 2009 enlightened horsemanship through touch

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If you’re looking for adventure in the last week of April, you might consider attending the 2009 ABMA Annual Conference. To be held april 26-May 1, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island, this conference will bring together trainers, handlers, and keepers of all kinds of animals.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Bridging the Gap” is about sharing information and addressing topics to develop a comprehensive behavior management programs. This conference will address four major components of behavior management: 1) relationship building, 2) training, 3) enrichment, and 4) evaluation and documentation. The conference shcedule is packed full of interactive workshops and discussion groups as well as opportunities to experience hands-on training, enrichment and documentation activities.

WHAT IS THE ABMA?
Adapted from their website:

The Animal Behavior Management Alliance, (ABMA) is a not-for-profit corporation with a membership comprised of animal care professionals and other individuals interested in enhancing animal care through training and enrichment. The ABMA is intended to be nurturing and informative, and was created to serve trainers, handlers, and keepers of animals, irrespective of Species, with information and assistance in the behavior management of their charges.
The mission of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) is to advance animal behavior management in order to enhance the Husbandry and welfare of animals.
It is the vision of this organization to become nationally and internationally recognized as the leading authority on the behavior management of animals in human care. The ABMA, through its board of directors, committees, and individual members- utilizing publications, conferences, and other venues of Communication-seeks to provide the latest behavior management information and technology in order to encourage optimal behavior management paradigms for both captive and wild animals.
Learning is always occurring; therefore, pro-active behavior management is an essential component of responsible animal care.
All behavior is modifiable.
Learning should be conducted in a nurturing and non-threatening environment for both animals and people.
Responsible behavior management creates a continuous flow of innovative options for successful animal care.
Animal behavior management will be advanced by the sharing of knowledge and new ideas.
Safety is at the core of a responsible animal behavior management program.
Animal behavior management is a necessary component of conservation.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Linda Tellington-Jones, speaking about how to relate to the animals in your care like you never have before. Linda, a world renowned author and an internationally acclaimed authority on animal behavior, training and healing, will teach you about the Tellington Method. The Tellington Method utilizes a variety of techniques of touch, movement and body language to affect behavior, performance, and health, and increasing an animal’s willingness and ability to learn in a painless and anxiety-free environment.

Also featured this year will be Training 101 presented by Margaret Whittaker, behavioral consultant, of Active Environments, Inc. Active Environments is an animal behavior consulting firm that works with zoos, biomedical and research facilities, and sanctuaries to enhance the care and welfare of captive animals.

Advanced Training, understanding and application of behavioral consequences, will be presented by Terry Ryan of Legacy Canine Behavior & Training, Inc. Legacy, founded in 1975 by Terry and Bill Ryan, promotes humane dog training. Terry will lead ‘Chicken Camp’ where the chicken becomes the student and the teacher. A chicken as a training partner is a stretch and a boost to your mechanical skills, as timing, coordination and clear communication is paramount.

Robert Young, author of Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals will discuss the history of animal keeping, legal issues and ethics, and a detailed exploration of whether environmental enrichment actually works, the methods involved, as well as how to design and manage enrichment programs. <a

Questions? Contact: Email Penny Krebs

May 6-10, 2009 in Middleburg, VA at Brook Hill Farm. This will be a five-day TTEAM® Training for Horses taught by Linda Tellington-Jones, PhD (Hon).

Nestled in spring-green, rolling hills of Piedmont, Virginia and lavishly dotted with dogwood blossoms, the stone barns at Brook Hill Farm provide a snug haven for horses arriving by trailer from around the country. Tellington TTouch Practitioner Pam Wooley’s capable staff see to it that visiting horse owners can return to their hotels at night secure in the knowledge that their horses are safe and well cared for. Training participants without horses get lots of hands-on time with these horses.

At this training you can learn about the TTEAM training approach, which encourages optimal performance and health while presenting solutions to common behavioral and physical problems. TTEAM horses demonstrate marked improvement in athletic skills and increased willingness and ability to perform. Not only does the horse benefit, but also a deeper rapport grows between horse and rider because of increased understanding and more effective communication.

TTEAM covers three phases: learning exercises done in-hand, the Tellington TTouch and riding techniques.

T.T.E.A.M. Training participants in San Marcos, Texas, September 2007

Some of the topics covered will include:
• How to improve performance
• Ground exercises to help improve balance, self control and focus
• How to apply TTEAM first aid techniques while waiting for the veterinarian
• How to use the TTEAM equipment like the Balance Rein, Neck Ring and Bodywrap
• Ways to speed healing and recovery from injury or illness
• Why issues such as nervousness, laziness, trailering problems, attitude difficulties and stiffness occur and how to solve them in a safe, positive way

If you have a commitment to bringing your relationship with your horse to the next level, Tellington TTouch Training for Horses will take you there. Regardless of your discipline, preferred breed or level of experience, you will learn the tools and techniques that foster the magical partnership between you and your horse that most people strive for a lifetime to achieve.

A T.E.A.M. Training participant does TTouch on the face and uses the body wrap in preparation for walking the labyrinth

Combining the pioneering Tellington TTouch with special ground exercises and under-saddle work, this training method offers an approach based on cooperation rather than domination and understanding rather than control. Working with interesting and diverse horses, this training introduces the basic body work and its applications, as well as exploring the role and purpose of the special ground exercises and Tellington tack under saddle. You will learn to chunk down the training process into incremental steps that are scientifically proven to reduce fearfulness in horses, thereby increasing potential for learning.

You have several opportunities to work with Linda and other experienced TTEAM practitioners. Every training has its own special flavor, and in the Middleburg horse country you will find yourself surrounded by like-minded horse lovers in a spectacular and historic setting.

You will also begin to see your equine companion with new eyes. Innovative opportunities for working with your horse will begin to crystallize. You will be empowered with the “gift of possibility.” With an open mind and an open heart, you will come away from every training enriched with new and marvelous tools.

A Tellington Training is a gift for both you and your horse. Why miss this opportunity? Trainings fill quickly so register soon.

Questions? Email or call 866-4-TTouch (866-488-8624). TTEAM USA can help you develop the relationship with your horse that you’ve always dreamed of.

Click to here to register.

For further information, call the TTEAM USA Office:
866-4-TTouch (866-488-6824)
P.O. Box 3793
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Phone: 505-455-2945
Fax: 505-455-7233

Price: $950.00. Early bird price is $855 if paid in full prior to March 16.
Contact: TTEAM Office 800-854-8326 or trainings@tellingtontraining.com. Learn more or Register for this training.

You are invited to join Linda Tellington-Jones PhD (Hon)

Internationally Renowned Teacher, Author, and Visionary

May 1-3, 2009 In Keswick, VA for A TTouch-For-You Experience®

• Learn and share a simple form of caring touch that activates the healing potential of the body, releases pain, stress and fear, and fosters well-being.
• Experience the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of TTouch as both giver and recipient.
• Feel nurtured and supported by everyone around you.
• Return home energized, enriched, empowered and a little more enlightened.

The TTouch Experience
TTouch is a system of gentle, mindful touch that works at the cellular level with the intention of activating the function of the cells. Developed by Linda Tellington-Jones as a part of the Tellington Training method for horses and other companion animals, TTouch has been used effectively for humans for more than 20 years.
As you practice these simple, gentle movements on yourself or others, you will realize a newfound sense of well-being, empowerment, and renewal.
Relief from everyday physical and emotional issues such as headaches, backache, chronic pain, depression, and anxiety is a common experience.
Many discover a means to enhance relationships beyond the constraints of language, finding new ways to nurture one another, and reaching new levels of understanding, appreciation, and empathy.
These observations are supported by a rich legacy of anecdotal evidence; hundreds of letters from people from all over the world describe how TTouch has effectively relieved a vast range of health issues, enhancing personal wellness and quality of life. This body of evidence has inspired formal research and clinical applications of TTouch in health care and education. Nurses, massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians are successfully integrating these techniques into their practices, to manage anxiety, acute and chronic pain, and to support healthcare procedures. Many healthcare professionals experience much needed relaxation and stress relief for themselves, as well as in their patients.

This Weekend of Renewal is for:
• Anyone seeking a new approach to self-care
• Couples
• Mothers and daughters
• Caregivers
• Educators
• Healthcare professionals

About Linda Tellington-Jones, PhD (Hon)

Pioneer, teacher, trainer, and author, Linda Tellington-Jones has forged new paths in the understanding and appreciation of the animal/human relationship, and has offered instruction in her gentle and aware approach to animal and humans for over 30 years. In 1978 Linda graduated from the first American four-year professional training in the Feldenkrais Method of Movement Education with Israeli physicist Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais at the Humanistic Psychology Institute of San Francisco. Prior to that training, she co-authored a landmark book on equine massage entitled, Massage and Physical Therapy for the Athletic Horse, based on the teachings of her grandfather, William Caywood. She had already been applying this equine massage for 10 years for sport horses when she first adapted the Feldenkrais Method for humans to work with horses and other animals. In 1983, building on her experience as a Feldenkrais practitioner, Linda developed a new form of gentle bodywork that activates cellular function and reminds the body of its potential for perfection. Her remarkable approach honors the mind, body and spirit of all living beings

In 2007 Linda was inducted into the Massage Hall of Fame and in 2008 she was awarded an honorary PhD from Wisdom University of San Francisco, California.
Linda has taught Tellington TTouch for healthcare professionals in collaboration with Dr. Cecilia Wendler, RN, Ph.D., CCRN, at the University of Minnesota, and has developed a 3-year certification course for professionals in Germany. She leads an annual six-day retreat in Hawaii.

Feedback from Past Participants:

“I was amazed to discover the profound transformations that took place by simply practicing, receiving, and observing all the techniques in the course of our work sessions and Linda’s demonstrations. My aches and pains, anxieties, emotional barriers, faded away as the days went by, leaving in their place a sense of space and clarity, and a feeling of warmth, openness and fellowship towards all those in my company. I was struck by the way in which TTouch affects the emotional and spiritual aspects of well-being, as well as balancing the physical body. The act of connecting to another through TTouch opens a pathway for compassion to flow. This was a most profound experience emerging from such a simple activity.”
–Angana Shroff, TTouch Practitioner for Animal Companions, TTouch-For-You Participant, 2004, 2005

“The power of TTouch for me is this: It gives me something to give to my patients when there is nothing else to give. I cared for N. for four nights, doing TTouch on him twice a shift all those nights, and he never quit saying how profoundly important TTouch was for him.”
–M. Cecilia Wendler, RN, Ph.D., CCRN, U. of Wisconsin – Eau Clair

“The TTouch has been an invaluable tool for me in my work as a physical therapist. Most important is the fact that I can teach this work to anyone – family members, friends, and other healthcare professionals. It does not take any specialized knowledge of anatomy and physiology to do the work and get the same results. It is safe, non-invasive, and cannot harm anyone. It is a perfect way to teach patients something they can do for themselves and their own families.”
–Kathy Cascade, Physical Therapist and Instructor of the Tellington TTouch Training Method for Animal Companions

Registration Information
Enrollment is limited to 30 Participants.
Registration is $375; Family discount and Guild Practitioner discounts are available.
To register, Contact: Holly Sanchez Email Holly Sanchez or call 800-854-8326

Tellington TTouch Training
PO Box 3793, Santa Fe, NM, 87501
Downloadable registration packet available

Local Coordinator:
Sandy Rakowitz, TTouch and TTEAM Practitioner
434-973-8864 or Email Sandy

Feel free to contact Sandy or the TTouch Santa Fe home office for assistance with transportation, dining suggestions, local accommodations and any other logistical questions or concerns.

I read Akal Ranch‘s last Thankful Thursday post with great interest. Simrat’s Standing On the Shoulders of Giants, thanking all the trainers she has learned from.

At first I thought it was not the best idea to copy another blogger’s idea directly, but then I knew Simrat would not object to being my teacher. We should all thank our teachers, whether they taught us good things or bad.

There is a Buddhist principle which states the same thing. In the Mahayana Dharma, there is a simple saying, “Be grateful to everyone.” As Pema Chödron says in her book, Start Where You Are, being grateful to everyone “is a way of saying that we can learn from any situation, especially if we practice … with awareness.”

“Be grateful to everyone” means that all situations teach you, and often, it’s the tough ones that teach you best … You’re continually meeting your match. You’re always coming into a challenge, coming up against your edge.

As we all know, horses are excellent teachers. They don’t know. But they can show you “where you need to be more gentle, where you need ot be more clear, when you need to be more quiet, and when you need to speak.”

Same holds true for mentors, trainers, riding instructors. You can’t really trust anyone else’s interpretations of the truth because you yourself have the wisdom within. Some of us only learn this after looking back long and hard at our teachers, both equine and human.

My first trainer and my first horse were a particularly difficult combination, one which I’ve written about before, though not in detail. I feel guilt about the way I treated that horse under the guidance of that teacher, yet I probably shouldn’t. I have learned a lot from her. I learned what it takes to be a successful horseperson. I learned toughness and resolve. I learned that being intimidated by horses is not an option. I learned a great number of basic skills, and I learned patience, though of a different kind than I practice today. Each time I get in the saddle, I remember what she taught me, “You have to show the horse what you want“, and I learned how to be quiet. She taught me those things. Looking back, I also learned many things I do not want to be part of my horsemanship toolbox: traditional natural horsemanship skills that thinly veil dominance and force. It is now easy for me to find ways to avoid that and come to a greater understanding with horses. I don’t know, however, if I could reach this place with such great understanding if I hadn’t been to hers first. It all makes better sense now.

Katie Little introduced me to Sally Swift and Tellington TTouch.

My second trainer taught me a whole new seat. She took away my saddle for three months and I really learned to sit on a horse. She taught me to jump. Bareback. The thrill of learning something that previously struck terror into my heart gave me such a sense of accomplishment. She is a Parelli-trained teacher, and her easy approach to training horses was fascinating. I also learned from her how not to deal with people on a strictly human basis. I have often wondered what it is about horsepeople that make them so difficult in real life. I think it has to do with passion. If you have great passion and desire, you make mistakes in dealing with people if you are not mindful of possible outcomes. This in itself was a lesson worth remembering.

My third trainer taught me patience and stillness. She is a wizard in the strictest sense. Her blend of traditional English horsemanship and calm, still mindfulness allows her to achieve amazing results. I’ve seen her take a greenie out into the hunt field and show him a great day, have a nice time herself, and come home without a scratch. Not many people can do that. The most important thing I learned form her was quietness. I thought I had that nailed early on, but I was able to take it to a deeper level with her. Not only was it “shut up and sit there,” but it was, “have no specific agenda because you will be disappointed and force the horse.”

Vera taught me about loyalty.

Linda Tellington-Jones blew a hole in my perception of reality with horses. She dismantled all my understanding of horsemanship, and reassembled it from the ground up. Along with the reconstructed horsemanship, she presented a new way to look at interpersonal relationships. She provided me with a new beginning, and a new purpose in life. A change that I’d needed for many years. I’m still amazed at the events that have unfolded in the last two years. And how they have changed my life. Thank you, Linda.

And now to the horses: Thank you!!!

Marksman Millie and Julia G. Scheibel

Brego, for demonstrating how dominance doesn’t work with fearful horses.
Millie, for being the best babysitter on the planet. Also for being true to your breed, a full-blooded Percheron, who really doesn’t like to move out in the ring. You taught me how to ask correctly.
Buster, for showing me what a (Parelli concept) Right Brain Extrovert is really like. And that you were too much for me at that stage of my learning. I wish you a happy life. I adore you.
Holly, for revealing true equine maternal dedication and elegance.
Mystic, for grace, and for showing me the value of eternal vigilance.
Storm, for being who you are. A stallion of uncommon beauty, inside and out.
My babies, Madison and James, for allowing me to shepherd you through the first year of your lives. Nothing can match that experience.
Maira, for being peaceful, beautiful, and accepting of all my flaws. May you show the same kindness to your new “husband.”

Living in the horse world, for however short a time has made me who I am. It is a singular influence on the way I see the immediate world, aside from Buddhism. I might never have gotten to this point, where my life is about to enter a new and exciting phase, without all my teachers.

What a week it has been already! I have said that I feel like a juggler with too many balls in the air and one arm tied behind my back. I have been carefully monitoring my reactions to the stress and I think I’m holding up well.

Part of me is thrilled to have so much positive activity after such an enforced lull in life. The trick is to embrace it and deal with it carefully lest it overwhelm. I am grateful for new developments because they allow me to practice peace and mindfulness in the midst of a maelstrom.

I have a thousand things to do today, each more vital than the next. The weather is turning, and I am covered in dirt from work outside. If I allow myself to think of what I must accomplish in the coming weeks, my head might explode. Yet I am filled with an indescribable joy and gratitude.

As a writer, freewriting has always been a good tool for elucidating thoughts, feelings and areas that require attention. Getting things down on paper (or into the ether) is a powerful release. Equally powerful is the chance to articulate the myriad benefits to be found flying around in the maelstrom. Mindfulness in the midst of chaos is essential. If I blink, I might miss something. Pause to worry about one thing and the side of a barn could hit you in the head and send you to Oz.

With this attitude of grateful examination, I’ve found that the larger task of getting myself to Hawaii and still getting my work done here is bigger by far than I’d previously thought.

I love a good challenge! Often challenges like this can take you away from yourself without your knowledge. The hard part is remaining aware of everything, acknowledging it, and reveling in it.

If I could just pack a few suitcases and up and away, that would be great, but it’s a fantasy. Now is the time for putting a magnifying glass onto the details of the transition. If it were solely myself flying over to Hawaii, then the process would be simple enough. But we are never alone in the world, even when we think we are. I am grateful for that. We live in relation to others and their needs are imperative. I must account for the immediate futures of my daughter (no small task), my dogs, my cats, and my farm.

In assisting my daughter in her settlement for at least the next two years, there are complex negotiations. In many ways, I am the middle man. The original idea for her housing, et.al. May have been my idea, and the execution of the move may be 10% my responsibility, but the decision is not all mine. There are many complicating factors. Many players. I can’t control them all. All I can control is my feelings and actions. Here is an opportunity to let go a little bit. To set the plan on the table and allow it to move forth of its own accord and whatever input is necessary from me. There are risks, and it might not work out. I may be stymied at every turn. I have the chance to practice patience and to communicate with some very difficult people in a new way. Old patterns die hard and I do this with extreme effort. Yet every exchange ends with satisfaction that I have done my part well, and I am learning how to better interact with negative forces. Thank goodness for that.

I will likely be accepting significantly less for my farm than I hoped for. News flash: I expected that, but it’s painful nonetheless. This opportunity to practice letting go comes at a good time. Often we are forced to let go in bad situations, where we have no choice. I am grateful that I have the choice. Grateful that I engineered the situation so that I make the choice instead of its’ making me. Better that I give up my beloved farm on my own terms and at the right time for me than to be chased from it as so many others are being booted out of their homes. What makes it easier is that the letting go comes just as I am opening my arms to something bigger, better.

Not physically bigger. A small condominium in Keauhou is, well, small. Many accommodations will have to be made to learn to live there, for Ruby, the cats, and me. Bigger in the sense that I am moving toward something I wanted, and made it happen. The “world” will be bigger for me in Hawaii, with greater possibilities for emotional and intellectual development. As I open my arms to shift away a large part of my life, I can scoop up a smaller one, which holds an unknown but hopeful future. I can feel the expansion on the horizon. I am filled to the brim with gratitude to Linda. She has given me the world with the word, “yes.”

I try to remain focused on the present time and location. When it’s crazy busy like this, and I am often in pain, it’s easy to miss the tiny miracles and to fail to acknowledge progress.

A few of the tiny miracles:

I am not fearful of people whom I might have been afraid of just a few years ago. Their power to frighten me and to determine what I do with my life has vanished, by force of my own will.

My daughter is infinitely wise and reasonable. She’s even getting easier to live with!

I have good friends. There is no way to express how important this is. Not only are they good friends, but they’re friends willing to help. I have lacked really good friends for so long in my life.

I feel the rightness of this decision more deeply every day.

I feel the loss in inherent in the decision to leave Virginia, but with a sweet and tender affection and the knowledge that I will return home someday. This feeling of loss is tempered with excitement for the future.

Around me, every day, in fact, every hour, spring asserts herself. We’ve had more than a few days of Mother Nature’s little inside jokes, where the temperature is above 80 degrees, and things are sprouting and changing color and energy is amassing in the most powerful ways. It is palpable, This gives me strength. I am well aware that the temperatures will again plummet, but you can’t stop progress. Those crocus are up. Those buds forming on the trees are there to be admired and the change in the air, no matter the temperature, buoys my spirit.

Heedless of human struggle, mother nature reminds me: everything is impermanent. Look! See! Feel!

I can handle this. I can handle all the balls tossed in the air, all the variables thrown into the equation, because I am strong, and I know what I want and I need. I know what my family needs. I know what my pets need. And I can accomplish it. I am grateful for that. My eyes are open.

Here are a few things I have seen today:

Eyes wide open to all the possibilities, tiny miracles appear.

Notice Wibble's little nose in the left corner. As I examine the crocus, he wanders over to see what I'm so interested in.

The first tree to bloom every year, this variety of Magnolia smells divine.

I love the contrast of threes: the soft, fuzzy casing, which brings to mind the fur of a deer or squirrel; the delicate inner membrane, curled and still green and fresh; and the creamy smoothness of the flower. They are all one, but all different.

Mother nature's gift: a bouquet for Thankful Thursday

Random beauty at the base of an Oak

Ruby came along to find out what I was looking at, too.

For more Thankful Thursday posts, visit Simrat at Akal Ranch, who also has a list of other Thankful Thursday bloggers to check out.