TTEAM Information
In regards to TTeam for colic, remember #1: Call your vet. Even
if it is only suspected colic, waiting could cost you your horse.
TTeam touches: Ear work (general name)
Start by rubbing the tip of the ear, between thumb in a circular
direction while your forefinger provides support to the back of
the ear. This point is known as the 'shock point' and works toreduce stress.
You can also activate the triple-meridian point at the back of
the base of the ear. This accupressure point attunes the respiratory,
reproductive and most important in cases of colic, the digestive
systems. To activate this point, place your hand, palm down,
behind the ear so that the ear lies between your thumb and fore-
finger. Bring the 'web' (the thumb-crease skin) into contact
with the base of the ear, twist your hand back and forth making
contact with the edge of your thumb, the thumb-crease and the
edge of your forefinger. Your horse will tell you how much
pressure to use. If it's too much, expect some head-shying or
a push with his nose.
One note - even horses that are chronically head-shy will let
you touch their ears when they're hurt. They seem to know thatit helps.
Belly lift - works well with gas colic or some 'slight' impaction
colics. If the impaction is severe (determined by the amount of
pain), do NOT use the belly lift. The belly lift is done easiest
with a partner. Use a towel, coat, sweatshirt, etc, folded to a
width of approximately 6". Place the towel under the horse, in the
girth area. As evenly as possible, each person should slowly lift
(straight up, not into the horse) the towel. Again, the horse will
tell you if the pressure is too much. One person should count to 10
during the lift, then to 5 as a hold, then again to 10 during the
release. Shift the towel back 6" and repeat. Keep this up until
you reach the flank area. (watch for extreme discomfort here, if so,
don't do it.) Shift the towel back to the girth area and start again.
The belly lift can break up obstructions, help relieve gas pressure
and provide muscular relaxation in the abdominals.
Use these techniques until the vet arrives, and keep up the ear work
while the vet examination goes on.
Here's another one. Release the horses neck before you do the
lateral flexions. Here's how the 'Neck Release' TTouch works:
Stand facing one side of the horses head, slightly in front.
Place one hand on the poll, the other under the chin. Using your
body, NOT your arms, slowly lift the chin, using the hand on the
poll as a reminder for your horse not to lift his head. The result
is a stretching of the neck muscles, opening the throatlatch,
increasing circulation and relaxation.
Giving to lateral flexion becomes easier after the neck release. The
increased circulation helps in subsequent training situations.
Charlie Armour--Certified TTEAM Practitioner
I'm a certified TTEAM practitioner in Northern Calif. I have been seeing
several EPM horses over the past year or so, most with very good results
(ie back under saddle and happily working).
To recount everything would take more time than I have at this moment,
but certainly there are some great bodywork steps I love to use,
including putting the "Bodywrap" (a simple Ace bandage system...quite
the fashion statement at big barns!) which seems to enhance the
neurological re-connections of the Ttouch work. When the horse is
stablilized enough for ground work, I find several different obstacles
made with PVC poles (generally set up as maze like arrangements...I
might take longer to step them over poles, and then I prefer to use wood
(jump poles are grand to deepen the information into the nervous system.)
I'll try to get home in time to expand on this tonight.
By the way, to all of you out there...
After working with Linda Tellington-Jones (TTEAM work) for close to 15
years and Centered Riding for nearly 10 years,and spending so many years
feeling like a "voice out in the wilderness" regarding expansion of
ideas in the horse world, it is unbelievably exciting to read all of the
exchanges of alternative ideas and resources!!!!!! I have taught clinics
in Germany, Austria and many parts of USA, and it has taken a long time
for this horse culture to open up to so many ideas and options re: horse
health care, humane training, etc.Congratulations to all of us!!!
TTEAM PractionerCentered Riding InstructorCertified Massage Therapist for Humans
Ttouch for Humans and still learning more everyday...
Here it is: the TTEAM Work for Colic Advice.
1. Vital Signs: Take temperature, pulse and respiration. Note gum color.
Call the Vet
2. Work the Ears: With gentle, sliding strokes of your fingers, work each ear from base to tip to ativate acupressure points. Gently squeeze the ear tip before releasing to work the acupressure point for Shock. Use TTEAM circles on the Triple Heater Meridian, the line of points around the base of the ear that affect digestion, respiration and reproduction. Return to work on the ears often. In acute situations, you may have to stroke the ears 15 minutes to an hour or more. Working each ear individually is most effective.
3. Point for pain: Use TTEAM circles or rub the area between the lower edges of the nostrils to relieve pain. Work this area for 1 to 3 minutes. Repeat often.
4. Point for Gas Release: Use TTEAM circles (push the skin in half-inch circles) or rub the hollow under the tail, above the anus. Work one minute or less. Repeat often.
5. TTEAM Belly Lifts: Two people, one on each side of the horse, use a towel folded 6 inches wide under the belly to slowly lift, hold 6 to 10 seconds, and release more slowly, at least 10 seconds. Start behind the elbow. After each release, move back 6 inches. As you approach the flank, work gently because this area is often tight and distended in colic. Usually after about four passes from elbow to flank, gas will be released.
REPEAT THESE STEPS UNTIL YOUR VET ARRIVES OR UNTIL SIGNS OF DISCOMFORT ARE RELIEVED. TTEAM WORK ON THE EARS IS USEFUL FOR ALL ILL, INJURED, NERVOUS OR EXHAUSTED HORSES. WHEN IN DOUBT, WORK THE EARS.
Distributed with permission of Linda Tellington-Jones!
There is an illustration of a horse head with the various points marked. The acupressure points for: a. shock - tips of ears b. circulation, respiration and reproduction - around the base of the ear c. pain - between the nostrils
