Whole Horse Power
| WHOLE HORSE POWER 63 Longbow Ln Wimberley, TX 78676 |
Mars : My first long term TTEAM case
In the 1990's, when I had Golden Valley Equestrian Center, I bought an 8 year old Thoroughbred gelding
named “Buddy”. Always friendly, he loved attention, but could not be restrained or ridden. When confronted
with a request he would become rigid, rear, and run backward. If tied he would fight, rear and throw himself
on the ground, often injuring himself, until he broke something and was freed.
Riding him was a real adventure. Two people were required to hold him still enough for me to mount. Once I
was mounted he performed airs above the ground, canter sidepass and piaffe, not because I asked for it, but
in response to simple requests to go forward.
In the trailer on the way home he reared and thrashed until he broke the tie and injured himself in several
places. Why, you ask, would I buy such a horse? It was obvious that he had great athletic potential and he
was on his way to the dog food factory. If worse came to worst he could continue his journey there.
At this time I had been introduced to TTEAM through magazine articles and videos and had been using the
learning exercises for starting young horses. I began to use the touches and to “chunk down” my requests
with this horse. I renamed him “Out on Mars”, which reflected his current state of mind and also evoked the
unlimited potential of space. Within a few weeks he began to calm down and riding him on trails was
possible and pleasurable. We began work in dressage.
Several months later I was able to attend a 1 day TTEAM workshop with Dree Ward. This clinic was very
inspirational and I began to use some of the other TTEAM techniques to resolve problems we had not been
able to work through. “Taming the Tiger” with wand stroking helped him to accept restraint. Python Lifts and
Abalone touches along with ground work over poles allowed him to relax and use his rear end more evenly.
After reading Proper Balance Movement and buying the book for my farrier, we were able to come up with a
plan of shoeing which, along with TTEAM leg exercises, released the tension in his lower back and hips.
Finally, he could canter to the right!
After some TTEAM work on trailering, he trailered fine for quite some time. Then, a friend’s “help” caused him
to have an accident and it was back to the drawing board. He was leased for six months while I went to
Mexico to teach and train. When I returned I found that he had regressed in his behavior. TTEAM to the rescue
once again, this time with slightly different techniques. The “Badgers’ Rake” from the withers around the
rump and down the backs of the gaskins was extremely effective in reconnecting him when he was ready for
“lift off”. The “Flick of the Bears’ Paw” worked well too. Lots of stroking from front to back with the wand and
leading over obstacles helped him to learn to load in the trailer and stand quietly.
In January of 1992 I sold Mars to a young woman whom I met at a TTEAM long training. By this time he was
working on second level dressage and was a brave and joyful trail mount. He loaded in the trailer with the
help of TTEAM and traveled quietly for the 75 mile trip to his new home. His new owner says he is a very
quiet, calm lovable horse. What a change, and what a triumph. Without TTEAM this horse was suitable only
for Alpo.
In the 1990's, when I had Golden Valley Equestrian Center, I bought an 8 year old Thoroughbred gelding
named “Buddy”. Always friendly, he loved attention, but could not be restrained or ridden. When confronted
with a request he would become rigid, rear, and run backward. If tied he would fight, rear and throw himself
on the ground, often injuring himself, until he broke something and was freed.
Riding him was a real adventure. Two people were required to hold him still enough for me to mount. Once I
was mounted he performed airs above the ground, canter sidepass and piaffe, not because I asked for it, but
in response to simple requests to go forward.
In the trailer on the way home he reared and thrashed until he broke the tie and injured himself in several
places. Why, you ask, would I buy such a horse? It was obvious that he had great athletic potential and he
was on his way to the dog food factory. If worse came to worst he could continue his journey there.
At this time I had been introduced to TTEAM through magazine articles and videos and had been using the
learning exercises for starting young horses. I began to use the touches and to “chunk down” my requests
with this horse. I renamed him “Out on Mars”, which reflected his current state of mind and also evoked the
unlimited potential of space. Within a few weeks he began to calm down and riding him on trails was
possible and pleasurable. We began work in dressage.
Several months later I was able to attend a 1 day TTEAM workshop with Dree Ward. This clinic was very
inspirational and I began to use some of the other TTEAM techniques to resolve problems we had not been
able to work through. “Taming the Tiger” with wand stroking helped him to accept restraint. Python Lifts and
Abalone touches along with ground work over poles allowed him to relax and use his rear end more evenly.
After reading Proper Balance Movement and buying the book for my farrier, we were able to come up with a
plan of shoeing which, along with TTEAM leg exercises, released the tension in his lower back and hips.
Finally, he could canter to the right!
After some TTEAM work on trailering, he trailered fine for quite some time. Then, a friend’s “help” caused him
to have an accident and it was back to the drawing board. He was leased for six months while I went to
Mexico to teach and train. When I returned I found that he had regressed in his behavior. TTEAM to the rescue
once again, this time with slightly different techniques. The “Badgers’ Rake” from the withers around the
rump and down the backs of the gaskins was extremely effective in reconnecting him when he was ready for
“lift off”. The “Flick of the Bears’ Paw” worked well too. Lots of stroking from front to back with the wand and
leading over obstacles helped him to learn to load in the trailer and stand quietly.
In January of 1992 I sold Mars to a young woman whom I met at a TTEAM long training. By this time he was
working on second level dressage and was a brave and joyful trail mount. He loaded in the trailer with the
help of TTEAM and traveled quietly for the 75 mile trip to his new home. His new owner says he is a very
quiet, calm lovable horse. What a change, and what a triumph. Without TTEAM this horse was suitable only
for Alpo.
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