Ttouch Earwork
step 1
Steph 3
step 1
Here I am starting at the base of the ear, with my thumb on the left side, and the rest of my hand on the right side.
Note that my left hand is firmly but lightly secured on the noseband of the halter.
Step 2
Steph 3
step 1
Then I'll compress my thumb against the rest of my hand folding the ear on itself, and slide my hand up the ear to the very tip. The tip of the ear is especially important, as there is an acupressure point for shock there.
Steph 3
Steph 3
Steph 3
Now I'm starting another slide, and you can see how Lyrica has lowered her head.
You can see how effective the earwork would be at a Vet Check in an Endurance Ride, to relax the horse and speed the recovery process.
Leg Exercises
SHOULDERS
FRONT LEGS
FRONT LEGS
Here I'm lifting the leg up, parallel to the ground. I will do small circular rotations with the shoulder -- just what the horse is comfortable with. I start in one direction with the circles, and then the other. This is not about stretching or pulling in any way. If a horse's shoulder is tight, you might be able to do just a tiny circle. Then go to the other leg, and repeat. Come back to the first leg, and you may often find that the circle has increased!
FRONT LEGS
FRONT LEGS
FRONT LEGS
HIND LEGS
HIND LEGS
HIND LEGS
Here I'm starting a hind leg circle. Note my balanced stance, with my left elbow secured above my left knee. My left hand is again supporting the hoof, and my right hand is holding the leg above the fetlock. From a
position even with the opposite hind leg, I will bring the hoof forward, tracing an oval towards me and back to even with the other leg. Again, stay within the free-moving comfort zone of the horse, do not stretch the leg against any resistance. Remember: "Less is More." These hind leg exercises are especially helpful when a horse is short-strided or tightens up in the hind end at a competition. At a Championship ride, I helped a top competitor who's horse was off in the hind end. With just 5 minutes of this work, the horse finished sound and won the Lightweight National Championship.
HIND LEGS
HIND LEGS
HIND LEGS
Here I'm starting a hind leg circle. Note my balanced stance, with my left elbow secured above my left knee. My left hand is again supporting the hoof, and my right hand is holding the leg above the fetlock. From a
position even with the opposite hind leg, I will bring the hoof forward, tracing an oval towards me and back to even with the other leg. Again, stay within the free-moving comfort zone of the horse, do not stretch the leg against any resistance. Remember: "Less is More." These hind leg exercises are especially helpful when a horse is short-strided or tightens up in the hind end at a competition. At a Championship ride, I helped a top competitor who's horse was off in the hind end. With just 5 minutes of this work, the horse finished sound and won the Lightweight National Championship.
Mouth Work
Here I'm starting TTouch mouth work on Lyrica. Before I work the inside of the mouth, I'll begin by doing TTouch circles on the outside of her mouth and on her muzzle. The mouth work is excellent for nervous or fearful horses, horses that are "mouthy", and for general relaxation. It will also soften and relax the horse before riding.