Conference noted::equitation

Yes, I've heard of this being done with horses.  I've been having
similar treatment for relieving muscle spasms in my back.  

I would be interested in attending the clinic you mentioned being held
Dec 6 and 7th.  Please post information on how to sign up if there's
still room available.

Thank you,

Melinda

    The Linda Tellington-Jones clinic is being held at The Ark in Harvard,
    MA.  Cost is $70 for two days including lunches.  You can call
    Priscilla Hergesheimer at 617-456-8346 to see if there is room still
    available in the clinic.  Priscilla is the president of the New
    England Dressage Association which is sponsoring the clinic.  They
    had the clinic in April also at her farm.  It was held in their
    heated indoor arena.  You still should dress very warmly since it
    is still cold if all you do is sit all day, even though they have
    the heat on.  Hope you can get in.
    
    						Jan
    

    I attended a two-day TEAM clinic taught by LTJ's associate, Robyn
    Hood of Canada.  The clinic covered the TEAM touch the first day
    and in-hand work with horses on the second day.  
    
    I can't recommend anything more highly!!
    Merrie Aiken
    
    

    The TEAM clinic held on Dec 6-7 was pretty special, because Linda
    Tellington-Jones and her sister Robyn Hood (who also does clinics)
    were both there.  Robyn had a few different ways of doing things
    and even more stories to tell about their work.
    
    There was also a five day clinic Dec 1-5 with both of them in
    conjunction with the two day clinic.  On Sunday they had most of
    the horses in the 5 days with the people that worked them.  It was
    really interesting.  There was one Morgan who used to flip over
    backwards in harness and was petrified of anything over his back
    (like a rider mounting).  They had him ground driving nicely and
    said that the first time he felt the line against his side, he had
    panicked, but learned he wasn't going to get hurt.
    
    An Appaloosa who wouldn't let people pick up his hind legs was used
    to demonstrate hind legs exercises.  He still didn't like them held
    for a long period of time, but was very good about the exercises
    none the less.
    
    Another horse at the 5 day clinic was an FEI dressage horse that
    would piaffe (trot in place) when someone tried to mount or saddle
    him.  He stood almost perfectly still while his owner saddled him
    (she had only had him for three weeks).
    
    It was impressive to see the horses behaving so well and enjoying
    themselves too.  Some of the horses were very grumpy and sour before
    the clinic and they all started to prick their ears forward and
    had a happier attitude about what they were doing.
    
    I will post information on any TEAM clinics in the New England region
    when I find out about them.
    
    						Jan

    TEAM work has wrought amazing changes in my horse, I never fully
    appreciated just how much muscle discomfort or tension could be 
    effecting the way my horse moved.  The subtle levels of balance and
    comfort which are addressed in the work are invaluable ---one look
    at a video and myself and others have become avid TEAM participants
    WHY do so few people know about this work??? I certainly wish I'd known
    about it years ago, problems I had with horses could have been easily 
    worked through!!! I wish people would spread the word more, I found out
    only 5 months ago, and since have introduced 6 other people after they
    saw the results!  Spread the word!!!

    Linda Tellington-Jones now has a book out on TEAM, too.  Also several
    videos.  If I remember, I'll get the exact title of the book and
    videos.  I don't know where you can rent the videos, but I do belong
    to the TEAM Club which sells both book and videos and can get that
    address.  I'm glad other people have had luck with TEAM work, too!
    
    						Jan

    <Editorial Comment Starts Here>
    
    It's my observation that the source of much tension within a horse
    comes from its owner/rider. I have seen more performances ruined
    by uptight riders than I have dollars to pay the latest and greatest
    method for training horses. It's not only horse history that's littered
    with those claiming wonder cures for a fee.
    
    I had the opportunity ten years ago to get the services of a horse
    masseur (Jack Meagher, I think). However, I learned that his methods
    didn't have much effect on draft horses, so I didn't try his services.
    Since most draft horses of my acquaintance are pretty relaxed anyway, I
    don't feel this is any great loss. On the other hand I have seen a few
    thoroughbreds and their owners build a frenzy off each other. Horses
    are quite sensitive to other animals, including humans, around them.
    
    I know that at the moment what's limiting my horses performance is me.
    I am much stiffer than he is. Now, if you feel that your horse would
    benefit from the T.E.A.M. approach, go right ahead with it. However,
    there might be some less expensive alternative corrective action.
    
    <End of Editorial Comment> 

    I've read the TEAM book and found it very interesting.  Just like
    people -- if your back hurts then your day is ruined before it even
    starts.  But, I think I better watch the video...can't help but
    wonder if I'm doing it right...what with some of the "looks" I get
    from my horse!
    
    Do you think video stores rent these?
    

    Re: .10
    
    We have had Jack Meagher do our horses, too.  It helped us just
    to learn what problems they have.  However, it's not so much the
    "massage" aspect of TEAM that makes it work.  You really did define
    the problems - uptight riders/owners.  Doing the TEAM work with
    your horse establishes better communication between you and your
    horse regardless of whether a lot of the hands on work really helps
    or not.  Once you have really good communication and trust with
    your horse, you may not be so uptight when riding.
    
    I have found that the TEAM work has helped our horses.  We have
    one that constantly danced around when being groomed and touched.
    Using the TEAM work he is a lot better now and knows that we make
    him feel good when we use TEAM on him.  He even "asks" for certain
    things (like circles on the forehead).
    
    > I know that at the moment what's limiting my horses performance is me.
    > I am much stiffer than he is.
    
    I have the same problem, especially when showing my horse.  Things
    that have helped me are Alexander Technique, meditation, and relaxation
    techniques.  Centered Riding also helps to get the performance out
    of your horse without making yourself rigid and stiff in the process.
    (I think there are notes on Centered Riding and Sally Swift here)
    Funny thing is that all of these things are kind of the "people"
    equivalent of TEAM work!
    
    Contrary to what you seem to think, TEAM work is not expensive.
    You don't need to purchase special equipment.  You do it yourself
    - you don't hire anyone to do it for you.  The horse is handled
    in a non-threatening, non-violent manner and is made to feel good.
    A lot of it is basic common sense.
    
    I do have the book and video and have gone to a few TEAM clinics.
    However, I don't think that's a great expense to learn something
    like this.  One book and one video out of the many selves of horse
    books and many videos that I have isn't a great expense.  I've also
    spent a lot more money going to other clinics.  Also it's not just
    an uptight rider that creates tension in a horse - unfamiliar
    surroundings and sore muscles do, too.  So I work all angles - TEAM
    for the horses and the equivalent for me so I'm not so uptight.
    
    						Jan

    Here's a current list of TEAM videos.  I've seen some of them in
    the Dover Saddlery catalog and The Video Schoolhouse catalog (see note
    10.80 for address - they may still have a rental program!).  They
    are probably available from other catalogs.  The list and prices
    quoted below are from the TEAM Club (Box 5 Site 9 RR 8, Edmonton,
    Alberta, Canada T5L 4H8 - $3 shipping charge per tape)
    
    Original TEAM Videos:
    
    Teaching the Touch - 2 hours - $69
    Starting the Young Horse - 90 mins. - $69.95
    
    New TEAM Videos:  each 1 hour - $29.95 or all 8 for $200
    
    Haltering a Foal Without Trama
    Educating Your Foal
    Handling Mares and Stallions
    TTouch for Head and Neck
    TTouch for Body, Tail, and Legs
    Learning Exercises - Part I
    Learning Exercises - Part II
    Riding With Awareness
    
    If you can only watch/buy one - get the original Teaching the Touch.
    
    The TEAM book is called:  An Introduction to the Tellington-Jones
    Equine Awareness Method - the TTEAM Approach to Problem Free Horse
    Training by Linda Tellington-Jones and Ursula Bruns.  It is available
    from the TEAM Club for $19.95 (+ $2 postage).  It's probably available
    from most tack catalogs, too.
    
    						Jan