The Tellington Touch (or TTouch as it is commonly known) is a gentle, non-threatening, non-invasive teaching method for animals which helps improve behaviour, health, performance and well-being whilst deepening the relationship between person and pet.
Developed by internationally recognised animal expert Linda Tellington-Jones, it is a forward thinking approach to training, handling and rehabilitation that involves a unique form of bodywork (TTouches) and groundwork where appropriate.
TTouch techniques gently guide an animal through non-habitual exercises and movements that can alter existing habitual patterns. Because posture affects behaviour, many owners note that unwanted behaviours simply diminish as the animal's posture improves. TTouch helps to improve an animal’s self-confidence, self-carriage and self-control and teaches the animal to act, rather than simply react.
TTouch is used by veterinarians, vet nurses, zoo personnel, trainers, handlers, groomers, behaviourists, animal lovers and pet owners in several countries across the world. TTouch blends well with many other positive training methods and it is not necessary to adopt the whole TTouch philosophy in order to make a difference to a n animal. Learning just a few of the simple body TTouches and movements by working with a trained Practitioner or attending a workshop, can help make a difference to an animal's life.
Observations and Assessment
Using visual observations and flat hand explorations a Practitioner can find areas in the animal's body that indicate tension, discomfort, fear of contact or memory of pain.
Bodywork
Specific, passive movements of the skin, ears, tail and legs using a combination of TTouches (circles, lifts and strokes) are used to release tension, reduce stiffness, increase body awareness, and improve circulation, mobility and performance, whilst promoting a sense of well-being. TTouch also helps to overcome an animal’s fear of contact, induce relaxation, decrease stress levels, boost the immune system, speed up the healing of injuries, release endorphins and 'feel good' chemicals such as dopamine, increase an animals ability to learn, activate unused neural pathways to the brain through non-habitual movements, improve sensory integration and balance an animal physically, mentally and emotionally.
Groundwork
Slow, considered movements over and through raised poles and over different surfaces using specific leading exercises helps dogs to develop balance, co-ordination and flexibility. It also releases tension, improves confidence, focus, self control and enables the dog to override old patterns of movement and behaviour without the use of fear or force and sets the animal up for success.
Animals Helped with TTouch
Domestic and Companion Animals
Dogs, Cats, Horses, Rabbits, Rats, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Reptiles, Birds, Llamas, Goats, Ferrets, Cows, Pigs, Sheep and Alpacas.
Rescued Animals
TTouch offers ways to help assess, train and rehabilitate animals in rescue centres.
Captive Animals
Wildlife and zoo animals have also been helped using TTouch techniques. TTouch does not make the animal dependent on humans. It helps to minimize stress in captive animals and can speed up the recovery and rehabilitation process. TTouch has been used to help a variety of non-domestic animals including:
Primates, Raptors, Swans, Elephants, Coyotes, Wolves, Whales and Large cats.
Why Use TTouch?
TTouch is a valuable tool that can help animals overcome a variety of issues including:
Dislike of contact
- Fear of the vet
- Grooming issues
- Handling issues
- Reluctance to be petted
- Body defensiveness due to injury
- Hand shyness
Noise sensitivity
- Fear of thunder
- Fear of fireworks
- Reaction to household noises
- Fear of gun fire
Nervousness
- Fear biting
- Timidity
- Lack of confidence
- Shyness
- Reluctance to socialize
- Separation anxiety
Hyperactivity
- Jumping up
- Excessive chewing
- Boisterousness/over-excitability
- Spinning
- Lack of concentration
- Excessive barking
- Excessive panting
- Pacing
- Inability to settle
Travelling issues
- Vomiting
- Excitability
- Restlessness
- Excessive vocalisation
- Excessive salivation
- Reluctance to get in car/fear of car
Lack of balance
- Leash pulling
- Travel sickness
- Training difficulties
- Gait irregularities
- Stumbling
- Stiffness
Show animals
- Nervousness in the ring
- Poor performance
- Gait irregularities
Health issues
- Recovery from injury/illness
- Problems associated with aging
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
- Amputations
- Depression
- Pining
Reactivity
- Unwanted reactive behaviour towards other dogs
- Unwanted reactive behaviour towards people
- Unwanted reactive behaviour towards other animals
TTouch is not a replacement for appropriate veterinary care and should never be used as such. If your animal’s behaviour changes suddenly or you suspect your animal has a physical problem please consult your veterinary surgeon.
Lesleyann will be training as a TTEAM practitioner (TTouch for equines) from early 2010 onwards. She will be looking for case studies to help with her ongoing training. If you would like to learn more about TTEAM, how it can help you and your horse and for free TTEAM 'case study' sessions on a one-to-one basis with you and your horse, contact Lesleyann.
Alternatively, if you and your horse have an issue that you would like to work through with a fully-qualified TTEAM Practitioner, please visit the UK TTEAM website.
What is TTEAM?
The Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method or TTEAM is a teaching method for horses that incorporates bodywork (TTouches), ground exercises and riding exercises. These help improve co-ordination, balance, athletic ability and willingness to work whilst encouraging optimal performance and deepening communication and understanding between the horse and owner/carer. TTEAM helps increase levels of self-confidence and self-control and teaches the horse to act, rather than simply react. TTEAM techniques gently guide a horse through non-habitual exercises that can alter existing habitual patterns. Because posture affects behaviour, many owners note that unwanted behaviours simply diminish as the horse's posture improves.
TTEAM is used widely in many countries across the world by Olympic dressage riders, pleasure riders, trainers, veterinarians, therapists and horse owners. It is not necessary to adopt the whole TTEAM philosophy in order to make a difference to a horse. Learning just a few of the simple body TTouches and movements by working with a trained Practitioner or attending a workshop, can help make a difference to a horse's life.
Bodywork
Bodywork finds areas in the horse's body that indicate tension, discomfort, fear of contact or memory of pain. Specific, passive movements of the skin, ears, tail and legs using a combination of TTouches (circles, lifts and strokes) are used to release tension, reduce stiffness, increase body awareness, and improve circulation, mobility and performance, whilst calming and promoting a sense of well-being.
Groundwork
TTEAM leading exercises over a variety of poles and different surfaces enable a horse to override old patterns of movement and behaviour without the use of fear or force. The ground exercises improve co-ordination, confidence, focus, self-control, self-carriage, balance, co-operation and can be used to help a horse overcome a variety of schooling difficulties.
Riding Exercises
TTEAM riding techniques combine Linda Tellington Jones's 30 years of classical riding experience with her unique training method to increase the comfort, performance and confidence of both horse and rider.
Rescued and Rehabilitating Horses
TTEAM offers ways to assess, train and help rescued and rehabilitating horses. The body work and ground work are invaluable for horses that cannot be ridden and for those that lack trust and confidence.
Why use TTEAM?
TTEAM is a valuable tool that offers positive solutions to help horses overcome a variety of issues including:
- Reluctance to be caught
- Difficulty putting on halter and/or bridle
- Reluctance to have dental work carried out
- Head or ear shyness
- Shooting off when head collar is taken off
- Concern about movement over their head
- Reactivity to rugging and/or saddling up
- Rearing, bucking or kicking out
- Tripping and stumbling
- Shoeing issues
- Difficulty bringing the front limb forward for the farrier
- Schooling difficulties
- Finding it difficult to work in a relaxed outline
- Poor performance
- Struggling to walk in a straight line
- Finding it hard to walk under objects or low stable doors
- Rushing through narrow spaces such as gateways and stable doorways
- Spooking
- Napping
- Health issues
- Travelling and loading issues
- Issues with tail bandages
- Concern over leg wraps
- Issues with having their legs handled
- Dislike of being washed off
- Dislike of walking through water
- Biting, nipping or mouthing
- Lack of concentration
- High head carriage
- Fear of loud noises or movement behind
- Starting a young horse
- Pulling back when tied
- Short, choppy and/or uneven stride
- Dropping a hind limb when jumping
TTEAM is not a replacement for appropriate veterinary care and should never be used as such. If your horse’s behaviour changes suddenly or you suspect your horse has a physical problem please consult your veterinary surgeon.
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