Many years ago Linda regularly came across the idea that horses were by nature dumb and stubborn and that the only way they can learn is through recognising the superior will of humans.

Linda found that while the traditional method of breaking horses into submission produced seemingly cooperative behaviour, the relationship with humans was based on fear instead of cooperation. Fear creates an underlying physical tension in the horse that can express itself in any number of ways, from behavioural problems to movement and riding problems.

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After years of trying to understand why horses were doing what they do, Linda developed her famous Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method (TEAM). This method is based on the above understanding that fear causes tension and tension results in movement and behavioural problems.TEAM helps horses become more confident, addresses behavioural problems and removes tension held in the body.

TEAM can also help solve riding problems by using various pieces of TEAM equipment to help horses become more engaged, balanced and flexible.

TEAM strives to achieve the following:

• Increase your horse’s willingness to learn and ability to perform
• Identify and alleviate soreness without drugs
• Train your horse safely, with confidence, even if you are inexperienced in handling          horses
• Overcome resistances without fear, pain or force
• Enhance healing and speed recovery of injury- related problems
• Learn ground exercises to improve balance and develop coordination

TEAM methods provide solid, practical help with the following problems:

• Trailer loading
• Biting and kicking
• Bucking and rearing 
• Nervousness and excitability 
• Inconsistent performance
• Stubbornness and laziness 
• Head tossing and tail wringing
• Sore backs and stiffness
• Girthing and saddling up
• Lameness and unevenness of stride

Lipizzaners at Spier

Every year the Lipizzaners come to perform in Cape Town from Johannesburg spending many hours standing in a float. They often arrive stressed and unable to eat. TTouch has been able to help relax the horses and encourage appetite.

Bridle-less riding

Bridle-less riding is a fun activity that has the added benefit of changing the way the horse moves and encourages lengthening and relaxation of the spine and neck. Its a really useful tools also for dressage horses that are ridden often in a collected frame.

Ali Quad and his owner Elizabeth are extremely talented show jumpers. Here Ali is being ridden in a neck ring to encourage lengthening through his back and neck without the influence of the bit. He has a tendency to get tight behind the saddle so it is important for him to move unhindered every now and then. Elizabeth enjoyed the challenge and it was fun!!!

Body Wraps

The horse in the picture below is wearing a body wrap. Body wraps help to make nervous horses feel more secure, improve balance and coordination, and engage the hind legs.