by Andrea Pabel

Using TTouches on and in a horse's mouth may seem a bit unusual. In fact it is unusual and non habitual, and this is one reason why it is so effective.

TTEAM was developed on the basis of the Feldenkrais method. Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, in Israeli physicist discovered that by using non habitual patterns of moving we can become more aware and increase our potential for learning. Trying out new ways of moving activates unused neurological pathways in the brain and gives us choices we never knew we had.

I like to compare this process to roads we travel on. Imagine several different roads leading to the same destination. When you only know of one and aren't aware that the others even exist, you use this one.

In your consciousness you don't have the awareness of making a choice. You take road A and that's all you know. When you have also explored roads B and C, then and only then can you make a choice and take the one you like best.

The same is true for a horse's behavior. Horses are often not aware of the fact that they have a choice. They do what they do out of habit. Whenever you do something non habitual with your horse, be it TTouches or TTEAM groundwork, you open new possibities for them, new ways of doing things. You encourage a higher level of functioning in the brain. A horse who purely reacts on instinct uses a lower function of the brain, which does not give choices.

The flight reflex for example is not something they have to think about. Any horse knows how to run from something scary. When horses are trained to override this flight instinct they develop higher functions of their brain and become more intelligent. They can use self control and consider their choices, something that is not natural to a wild horse.

When you work with a horse's mouth you are activating new neural pathways and are affecting the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions and learning. Doing Mouth TTouches has many practical benefits and works great for changing negative emotional responses, for example: Biting, bucking, flightiness, inflexibility, or any other resistance to training. It can really help establish a new relationship with a horse who is hard to catch and it prepares young horses to accept a bit, have dental work done or being wormed.

Please be careful when you first try to do this. Start by standing facing the same direction as your horse. Begin slowly and ease into this work, just making Lying Leopard TTouches around the mouth, on the chin, the nostrils, and the sides of the mouth first. Explore the whole area around your horse's mouth and notice how he feels. The chin is a very interesting area to work on. You will find that nervous or resistant horses often have a very hard chin. Gently softening the chin with TTouches will help your horse relax and overcome tension.

Then gently make circles on and in the lower lips, working your wall all around the lips before inserting your finger into the mouth. For most horses this is a very new and different sensation. You can also slide three fingers into the mouth and work over the tongue, while your thumb is hooked under the chin. Be very careful to keep your fingers away from your horse's teeth. The tongue is very strong and can suck your fingers back and between the molars, if you don't pay attention.

You can work under the horse's upper and lower lips, making tiny circles on the gums, or just sliding you hand back and forth. If your horse's gums are too dry dip your fingers in water. Keep your thumb outside of the horse's mouth. This will serve as an anchor and keep your fingers where you want them.

Working on the tongue and the roof of the mouth can give a horse a new feeling of this area's and can help resensitise a hard mouth.

Most horses really enjoy mouth TTouches after a few sessions. Make sure to have a firm hold on the halter with your other hand, especially if your horse shakes his head or tries to lift it too high in the beginning. When you reach into his mouth your horse often does not expect something nice, so he might try to resist in the beginning. Just be patient and teach him to lower his head when you ask. It can also be helpful to work through a damp washcloth all around the mouth to start with. Once your horse has learned to accept and enjoy the mouth TTouch even 5 Minutes can make a huge difference and help your horse change his emotional response to you and towards working with you.