Training and Retraining Horses the Tellington Way: Starting Right Now or Starting Over with Enlightened Methods and Hands-On Techniques

by Linda Tellington-Jones

Overview

World-renowned equine expert Linda Tellington-Jones’ healing equine bodywork and innovative training methods have revolutionized the horse training landscape over the last 50 years. Her unique blend of hands-on TTouch (a collection of circles, lifts, and slides done with the hands over various parts of the horse’s body), combined with humane groundwork and under-saddle exercises, has helped solve training and behavioral problems for horses of every breed, every discipline, every age, and all levels. Now she is presenting a thoughtful recipe for starting the young horse without stress, helping to establish the very best beginning, in hand and under saddle. Unfortunately, not all horses have the benefit of the right foundation, which can lead to misunderstanding, mistreatment, and unhappiness for both human and horse. With this in mind, Tellington-Jones also curates her own experience working with older horses ready for a second chance at life, providing the necessary tools for filling in training “holes” and reconfirming lessons that may have been poorly taught or forgotten. The result is book with all the right ingredients and its heart in the right place: Whether starting right or starting over, Tellington-Jones’s field-tested, compassionate answers are an excellent way to find connection while ensuring the horse a lifetime of success in the company of humans.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570769375
Publisher:	Trafalgar Square
Publication date:	10/01/2019
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Linda Tellington-Jones is the internationally recognized equine expert who developed the Tellington Method approach to healing, training, and communicating that can be learned and practiced by horsemen and women of all levels. She was honored as the 1994 Horsewoman of the Year by the North American Horseman's Association and presented with the ARICP Lifetime Achievement Award, given annually to a person who profoundly affects the equine world in a positive manner. Tellington-Jones is the author of numerous books and video programs, including the bestselling The Ultimate Horse Behavior and Training Book and Getting in TTouch with Your Horse. She routinely travels worldwide teaching her methods. When not on the road, she lives in Florida.

Table of Contents

Foreword Magali Delgado Frédéric Pignon vii

Part I Starting Points 1

1 Introduction 3

And So It Began 5

Developing My Own Method 7

Seeing with New Eyes: The Feldenkrais Influence 11

Breakthroughs in Retraining Horses 12

The Birth of the TTouch® Circle 13

Three Decades of Young Horse Training in Wyoming 15

2 The Heart of the Tellington TTouch Method 17

The Cornerstone 18

From Instinct to Intelligence: Self-Carriage, Self-Confidence, Self-Control 18

Learning to Act Instead of React 20

Chunking It Down 20

Keys to Success 23

Part II Sensible Steps 29

3 Start Where You Can 31

Plan to Be Flexible 32

Remember: You Have Choices 35

Keep a Record 36

4 Groundwork Equipment 39

Tools for Trust and Clarity 40

5 Observation and Trust Exercises 53

Be Your Own Detective! 54

Body Exploration 56

Introducing the Wand 62

Lowering the Head 65

Taming the Tiger 68

Case Study: The Story of Parytet 72

6 The Tellington TTouches 77

Bodywork-Releasing Tension and Building Trust 78

The Collection of TTouches 81

The Nine Components of TTouch 83

Circular TTouches 89

Slide and Lift TTouches 95

Extremity TTouches 105

Case Study: The Story of Indus 129

7 Dance Steps 131

Leading Exercises 132

Elegant Elephant 138

Grace of the Cheetah 141

Homing Pigeon 143

Dingo 148

Cha Cha 156

Trotting in Hand 160

Dolphins Flickering Through the Waves 162

Case Study: The Story of Lord Wendland 172

8 Playground for Higher Learning 175

Navigating the Elements 176

The Elements 179

The Labyrinth 179

The Zebra 183

The Fan 183

Pick-Up Sticks 185

Poles and Cavalletti 187

The Platform and the Bridge 187

Working with Plastic 190

Walking Between People and Under Objects 201

Case Study: The Story of Heartbreaker 206

9 Ground Driving 209

In the Driver's Seat 210

Chest Line Driving 213

Ground Driving from the Halter 226

Case Study: The Story of Big Surprise 234

Part III Happy Progress 239

10 Time to Saddle Up! 241

Introducing a Rider Calmly and Quietly 242

Saddling for the First Time 243

Sliding the Saddle Pad Exercise 243

Introducing the Saddle 246

Introducing the Bridle 253

Mounting for the First Time 256

First Steps Under the Saddle 262

Signal to Step Forward 263

Signals for Stopping 264

First Trot 266

Riding Through the Elements 269

Trail Riding 270

First Canter 272

Riding Equipment for Success 274

Parting Words 283

Tellington Training Checklist 285

Acknowledgments 289

Index 293

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Linda Tellington-Jones' previous work:

"Linda's fabulous new book is by far the best that has ever been published on her TTouch Work." —Trail Blazer

"A heavyweight in any horse lover's book collection."—Equine Wellness

"With plenty of white space, 364 color photographs, and 81 color illustrations, the book is a pleasure to read." —Western Horseman

"Keep this one nearby; you'll want to refer to it again and again!" —Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar

Praise for this book:

"In addition to the recipes for ensuring the horse a lifetime of success in the company of humans, the author weaves in stories of specific horses that have benefited from her innovative training method. Riders and trainers of all disciplines and skill levels will benefit from Training and Retraining Horses the Tellington Way." —Cowgirl Magazine

“If you are starting a young horse or retraining an older horse, Training and Retraining Horses by Linda Tellington-Jones and published by Trafalgar Square is for you. This beautifully illustrated, practical book gives step-by-step methods to achieve goals and to solve specific behavioral issues.

“Exercises using ground equipment, additional lines, wraps, saddle pads, and elastic girths all become focal parts of a training program as the horse progress through the stages. And she does not ignore the needs of the rider, offering suggestions to help the rider stay mentally present with the horse and comfortable both in the saddle and on the ground.

”‘Most horses, no matter what their level of experience or training, can benefit from any of the techniques described in the book,’ writes Tellington. ‘By doing things in a methodical, incremental way that is non-habitual, you will see long-lasting transformations from exercises not obviously related to the changes.’

“Training and Retraining Horses is an excellent addition to any horse owner’s library.” —Horse Journals

From the Publisher