The Tellington Touch Training Method was developed by American horsewoman Linda Tellington-Jones. Incorporating bodywork, ground work and ridden exercises, the Tellington Touch is designed to educate horses through non-habitual movements to increase self-awareness, self-control, balance and confidence.
Bodywork is designed to help identify areas of tension throughout the horse’s body. Once such areas have been identified, various types of touches, lifts and circles are used to help alleviate tension and thus make it easier and more comfortable for the horse to perform.
Groundwork incorporates the use of leading exercises and various obstacles to improve the horses awareness, self-control, and balance. Many common problems such as barging, rushing and napping can be linked to lack of balance and confidence. Habitually horses are led, tacked up and mounted from the left hand side, which can result in the development of unwanted tension patterns, postural issues and lack of straightness. Groundwork is invaluable for improving straightness, posture, balance and confidence.
Ridden exercises are designed to help improve balance, responsiveness and performance in the ridden horse. Through the various ridden exercises horses can learn to be more ‘free’ promoting self-balance and self-carriage. The horse is at all times encouraged to use his body as effectively as he can and if he is not being inhibited through gadgets or old habitual patterns, he will then be able to achieve this more easily.
