By Linda Tellington-Jones with Bobbie Leiberman

Linda Tellington-Jones

More than a quarter century ago, I began looking more deeply into the reasons why horses behave the way they do. Using biological and neurological principles, I developed solutions that any person could safely and successfully use. The system, called the Tellington Method, is based on my discovery that working on a horse's body releases fear, tension, discomfort and pain in a way that changes his behavior, influences his personality and enhances his overall health and well-being.

The Tellington Method has three components. The Tellington TTouch (known as TTouch and pronounced tee-touch) is a form of bodywork comprised of a variety of circles, lifts and slides done with the hands and fingertips. Coupled with carefully orchestrated ground exercises and ridden work, the Tellington Method dramatically expands a horse's capacity for learning and cooperation, improves horse and rider balance and coordination, and deepens the bond between the horse and his owner.

The Tellington Method embodies a compassionate approach to training and begins with the recognition that when a horse is:

• uncooperative, there is always a reason, whether it is physical, mental or emotional
• overstressed, he cannot learn
• fearful, he cannot listen
• uncomfortable or in pain, he cannot respond to your requests
• insufficiently exercised, undernourished or overfed, he cannot cooperate.

Communication and Understanding
Successful trainers intuitively know that a horse must want to work for you in order to perform his best. But only when that desire is carefully cultivated will he go about his work in more than a mechanistic, obedient fashion. Taking the time to learn your horse's language--the way he communicates with you and with others--can bring a new level of trust to your relationship and enhance mutual progress.

When you are able to interpret your horse's messages, you are likely to discover that a great many behaviors and attitudes are simply his way of telling you that he is not comfortable. For example, a reflexive kick while he's being groomed in cross ties may indicate that he's ticklish or sore and that the style of grooming is too vigorous or harsh. At other times, the behavior can stem from a lack of training. As you begin to tune in to your horse, you might see that an episode of bad attitude is simply his way of expressing that he's sore in the neck, back or croup.

In my lifelong experience with horses, I have found that troublesome behavior often traces to a source that can be readily identified and remedied. As a result, I offer the following list of common contributors to resistance, poor performance and difficult behavior in horses. Consider them before you assume the worst about your horse...before you reach for a stronger training aid...even before you try any of my TTouches and exercises. You and your horse will be better for it.

1. Saddle fit
An ill-fitting saddle can be a source of pain or cause a horse anxiety because it feels restrictive or unstable. Some behaviors associated with poor saddle fit include irritability, going crooked, and overreacting or not responding to the aids. In addition, a horse may move with a restricted range of motion, hold his breath and exhibit a high level of tension. He may spook, buck, bolt or develop a sour attitude.

Saddle-fit problems can affect a horse's way of going in many ways. For instance, a saddle that pinches inhibits movement from the poll to the pelvis, creating discomfort and forcing him to shorten his stride. A saddle that is too narrow or set too far forward can jam his shoulders and withers, restricting movement. Pressure from the pommel crowding the withers can be exacerbated when a horse is high-headed, dropped in the back or traveling downhill. A saddle without sufficient gullet clearance can compress the withers, causing soreness.

A saddle that is too long may jab the loins. Bridging--which occurs when the front and back of a saddle rest on a horse but the midsection does not--is a common source of discomfort.

Riders, too, can be affected by poor saddle fit. For example, a saddle that is too big will not be stable, and the rider will experience the feeling of always trying to catch up with the horse.

2. Hooves and shoes
Refusal or inability to move freely forward can appear to be stubbornness, unwillingness or laziness. But the cause may trace to one of a wide variety of hoof conditions, such as abscesses, quarter cracks, corns, sore heels and tender soles. Other common problems include contracted heels, long-toe/low-heel syndrome, chronic laminitis, imbalanced trimming and/or shoeing, close or quicked nails, and leaving the shoes on too long. An experienced farrier can identify problems and help to keep a horse's hooves in good condition.