CASE STUDIES ENABLE YOU TO SEE HOW THE WORK IS DONE AND HOW THE HORSES AND RIDERS CAN CHANGE.
SARATOGA GRACELAND
Breed: Warmblood, Age: 5yrs, Height: 16hh, Mare, Prospective Dressage Horse
GROUND LINE DRIVING
Grace is being prepared for life as a working competitive horse. We introduced her to the first stage of the TTEAM backing process. She was amazing and took it all in her stride. Grace sniffed and mouthed the lines with great interest. I rubbed the rolled up lines over her body to allow her to feel the texture (photo 1 - top left). Next, I wound the lines around my wand, forming a 'pig-tail' configuration, and, again, rubbed the line over her entire body. I allowed it to fall and flap everywhere - over her back, between her hind legs, under her belly, over her neck (photos 2 and 3). We then attached a single line around Grace's neck - being careful not to allow it to sit on her wither - and took her for a little walk (photo 4). Grace remained calm and attentive. We attached the second line and took her for another walk. Grace quickly figured out that she should be taking her instructions from the back. She turned, walked on and halted from my signals and voice commands (photos 5, 6 and 7). We finished off the session by giving her some well-deserved ttouches, she thoroughly enjoyed the tail ttouches (photo 8).
Grace has progressed very well and we are now able to Long Line and Ground Line Drive her with ease. The next step on her path to a successful ridden career will be the introduction of a saddle.
SESSIONS: June 2015: We introduced Grace to her pool noodle legs and weighted feedbag rider, and then to her human rider. Previous backing sessions had not gone according to plan (not that TTEAM really works to any plan). Grace had been so uncomfortable when mounted that she bounced her rider right off. Upon further investigation we found that she was battling a nasty cyst on her ovary, and a hormonal imbalance. The combination of the two made for very erratic and potentially dangerous behavioral traits. The poor girl was so uncomfortable that she could not function properly. It took a while for the medication to take effect, so we just worked her quietly when she felt she could cope. She enjoys her TTEAM work and settles into it in a quiet, attentive manner. The last session was a huge step in trust for Grace, and she took it with flying colours. Pool noodles and feedbag done we mounted her rider. She acknowledged her and they moved off together in a comfortable and confident manner. Onwards and upwards.
DJ BEAR
Breed: Warmblood, Age: 7 yrs, Height: 16hh, Mare, Prospective dressage horse
SESSION ONE
DJ displayed extreme aggression towards people. She had bitten people badly and damaged property, her owner was even asked to remove her from the previous yard.. Initially, DJ would not tolerate me unless I was standing behind Sharon. She threw her ears back at me and threatened me. I just remained still and spoke to her in very soothing tones. When I noticed that she was relaxing in my presence,I took to long wand and gently moved it around her head and shoulders. I allowed her to sniff and taste the end and the button. After some time I was able to make physical contact with her - she mouthed my knuckles. I was able to drop the position of her head so that she would relax, release and start breathing properly. She would only tolerate some ttouches while mouthing my hand. Each time I moved away she would yawn and yawn. With each approach her body language towards me would be a little better. I was able to place her in the Taming the Tiger position and do some basic wand stroking along her body to connect her. By the end of session one we were able to lead her in Homing Pigeon and Stroke her front legs with the wand.
SESSION TWO
Session two went of very well. DJ spent loads of time simply standing and absorbing the work. We were able to walk her around in Homing Pigeon leading position again. I was even able to do some stroking down her hind legs (a big no-no the last time). She released so much anxiety and tension during the session that she was quite exhausted thereafter. We left her standing in the labyrinth and gave her the space to work through her new way of being.
SESSION THREE
Today we introduced DJ to the fun of the Playground Exercises. She found the new objects a bit strange but fascinating. The mare allowed a lot more physical ttouches and had really softened in her way of being. We were even able to do some Mouth Work (she refused any mouth work during the previous sessions, all physical touch around her mouth was done on her terms only) and Sharon could gently and briefly slide her fingers across DJ's top gums. DJ found the Pool Noodle arch a large challenge so we chunked it down (by dropping the one set of noodles down) and she moved through. By the end of the session Sharon was happy to finally take DJ's halter off (she felt comfortable enough that she could easily put it back on again the next time she visited). DJ stood by the fence while we were working with the next case, she even nickered at us. This mare has undergone a HUGE transformation.
JANUARY 5TH SESSION
DJ Bear has undergone an enormous transformation. She is now willingly following people around her paddock, her owner is able to dip her successfully and she is able to accept ttouches and body wraps. DJ is able to ask questions, express concern and show contentment. She no longer just shouts and attacks. So very proud of this incredible mare. We have now started with her enrichment and hope to see even more progress as her trust and true nature evolve and grow.
JANUARY 19TH
DJ Bear is a transformed horse. She is relaxed and happy. She is learning to trust people and is open to making new friendships. DJ is really enjoying her new way of being and living.
SANESA SCHOOLS LEAGUE
Erin, representing Merrifield, participated in the SANESA Schools League Qualifiers. She was placed first in ALL her dressage tests (Level 0 - as she is still a novice rider). Erin has consistently scored 6's and 7's for her Collective Marks.
General Impression: 6/10.Position of seat: 6/10. Leg position: 7/10. Hand position: 7/10. Effectiveness of aids: 6/10.
Erin has only ever been taught using the RWYM (Ride With Your Mind) methodology.
SANESA REGIONAL FINALS
General Impression: 8/10.Position of seat; 7/10. Leg position: 8/10. Hand position: 7/10. Effectiveness of aids: 7/10.
Erin showed a lovely improvement in her dressage test results. From 60% she improved to 73,5%.
BENTLEY JOCK
Breed: Boerperd x Freisian, Age: 4 yrs, Height: 14.3hh, Gelding, Hack.
SESSION ONE
Jock was lightly backed, and as such, needed to further his training so that his owner could enjoy going out on hacks with him. I introduced Jock to the TTEAM work by gradually introducing wraps, the wand and the long lines.
SESSION TWO AND THREE
The next stage of his training incorporated some actual basic work with the TTEAM tools. We stayed within the stable yard to ensure that Jock remained calm and comfortable. He accepted everything like a pro. By the end of the session we were able to take him for short walks in the long lines.
SESSION FOUR
We introduced Jock to the Ground Work Exercises (known as the Playground of Higher Learning) to expose him to lots of different challenges and objects. (Photos one and two)
SESSION FIVE
Our final session with Jock, before his actual ridden training began, was to place him in the long lines with body wraps. The wraps gave him a sense of security, encouraged self-awareness and connected him front to back. I taught him to turn and halt from the long lines. We progressed to being able to negotiate the Ground Work Exercises in a competent and calm manner. (Photos three and four)
TORSTONE TIME WARP
Breed: Anglo Arab, Age: 10yrs, Height: 16hh, Gelding. Trail horse.
A few years ago Time Warp was severely injured. This resulted in some terrible muscle trauma. As a result he now dumps the toe of the affected leg due to lack of proprioceptive connection and weakened muscle memory. Thankfully he is not in any discomfort and is still working very well.
SESSION ONE
Session one focused on assessing Time Warp and seeing what could be done to improve proprioceptive feedback and neural feedback. I started with body awareness ttouches and followed with rehabilitation body wraps and ground work exercises.
By the end of the session we had gained a few millimeters of distance between his toe and the floor. We did not work for long because he became mentally fatigued (this was caused by the lack of connection in his body).
SESSION TWO
A month later I worked with Time Warp again. The handlers had done an amazing job. Time was now able to lift his affected leg well over the elevated poles - showing great improvement. He was also now more connected and able to engage his stronger leg more efficiently, thus balancing his hindquarters more effectively. We gradually removed the therapy wraps. Time was able to continue working correctly. I then, finished off with some more awareness ttouches to cement neuralogical and muscle memory as the new way of moving.
SESSION THREE
Our final session comprised ridden work, in a promise wrap, and over the ground work exercises. Time's flexibility had improved, his hindquarter engagement seemed easy and comfortable, and he was able to negotiate the tight turns of the labyrinth with confidence. He was, then, ridden in the school and worked through and balanced. Time's session have remained short so that he is able to develop good muscle tone while maintaining a good comfort level.
LAZLO
Breed: Warmblood, Age: 7yrs, Height: 17hh, Gelding. Dressage
Lazlo would hide in the back of his stable and was very difficult to catch. As a result, he wore his halter permanently. He could be aggressive, and was known to go for other horses. I approached him in his stable with my wand. He needed time to realise that I wasn't going to harm him, and that I would allow him space to move away if he needed too. After some time I was able to place my hands onto him and started doing some ttouches. The following session I brought him out and did some ground work exercises with him. While stroking his legs and tapping his hooves with the wand I noticed how intently Lazlo sniffed his hooves and the wand. He was fascinated by the light touches on his hooves. I did another 5 sessions on him and the end result was a more confident, relaxed horse. When arriving to do my final session I was greeted by a friendly head over the stable chain, minus his halter, and he never backed away when I approached to put it on. It is just lovely to see a horse develop and grow into himself.
MISTI
Breed: Crossbred, Age: 9yrs, Height: 14.3hh, Gelding. Dressage, Showing and Showjumping.
I worked him through the labyrinth to encourage him to think before he reacts. He was once an incredibly uptight, spooky horse, now he is able to take his rider quietly and confidentlythrough clear rounds in showjumping. The labyrinth also assists horses to work through balance issues, one-sidedness issues, fear issues and concentration problems.
Damascus
Breed: Boerperd x Arab, Age: 12yrs, Height: 15:3hh, Gelding. Endurance riding.
He was fearful of anything strange that he had to walk/jump over and tight spaces. Polework encouraged him to focus his attention at his feet, and learn to look where he was going. He can now pop over small jumps.
Torstone Tamara
Breed: Arab cross, Age: 6yrs, Height: 15hh, Mare. All rounder. Endurance.
She is starting her endurance career where she will have to encounter a number of strange situations. Here she is being taught to negotiate the platform. This has taught her to go up the horsebox ramp, cross bridges/causeways, cope with different surface colours and textures,and negotiate sidewalks.
Vinney
Breed: Warmblood, Age: 4yrs, Height: 15.3hh, Mare
She was very reactive and fearful of strange things in her environment. We used a combination of TTEAM work and clicker training to teach her to load in a stress-free, anxiety-free manner.
Bobby
Breed: Percheron, Age: 5yrs, Height: 16hh, Stallion. Breeding stallion.
He was unable to lift his front hooves due to being very on the forehand. Through body work (ttouches), body wraps and groundwork we were able to teach him to transfer his weight back and improve his balance. He was able to then lift his front hooves with no effort.
