Andrea Pabel - Januar 2011

Ohrarbeit- Was ist das?

Sind Sie schon einmal mit einem Pferd gegangen und gegangen, auf die Tierärzt/in wartend, und haben sich gewünscht Sie könnten irgendetwas tun, um die Schmerzen Ihres Pferdes zu lindern und Ihr Pferd zu beruhigen?

Waren Sie einmal auf einer Ausstellung und mussten zuschauen, wie Ihr pferd im fremden Stall nervös auf und ab läuft, nicht isst, nicht trinkt- und Si ehaben sich gefragt wie auf der Welt Sie ihr Pferd beruhigen können?

Haben Sie schon einmal nach einem anstrengenden Ritt oder einem Wettkampf nachgedacht ob Sie etwas tun können, damit sich Ihr Pferd schneller erholt?

Haben Sie schon einmal nachgedacht wie Sie die Bezieheung zu Ihrem Pferd vertiefen können, und das Vertrauen stärken?

In diesem Aufsatz beschreibe ich die Ohrarbeit. Die können Sie in all diesen Situationen nutzen.

Ohr-TTouch als tägliche Routine

Viele Trainer machen die Tellington Methode zu einem täglichen Ritual, weil sie wissen, dass schmerzfreie, entspannte Pferde zufriedenr und kooperativer sind, dass sie leistungsbereiter aber auch leistungsfähiger sind.  Der Ohr-TTouch lässt sich einfach in die tägliche Routine einbeziehen.

Foto: Lothar Lenz

Ear TTouches for health

Knowing how to do Ear TTouches may literally save you horse’s life. It has helped many colicing horses by relieving their pain and activating their digestive system while you are waiting for your vet. Ear TTouches improve circulation, help your horse to relax and are invaluable when your horse is in shock or stressed.

Ear TTouches can be beneficial in many other situations as well

Endurance riders use Ear TTouches to lower their horses pulse and respiration during races.

They can normalize a horse’s temperature, whether fevered or subnormal from shock.

Breeders have found it very helpful for foaling mares; easing their pain and helping them have smoother deliveries and faster recovery.

You can use slow ear TTouches to calm you horse down, for example if your horse is nervous before a ride in windy weather.

You can relax a horse with slow ear TTouches when you arrive at a competition or new stable so he will eat and sleep better.

If you do the Ear TTouches faster you can activate a tired horse after a long trail ride or a strenuous day of competition.

Stroking your horse’s ears can also focus a horse so he is willing to listen without dominance; and establish a trusting relationship and bond so the horse enjoys and wants to work with the rider. It is also really helpful for horses who are difficult to bridle and will prepare them for having their ears examined by the vet.

Many veterinarians use and recommend TTouch for emergencies.

Ear TTouch can reduce the pain of colic while you are waiting for your vet to arrive. Linda Tellington-Jones received the following email from Dr. Janet Varhus about the use of Ear TTouch in her veterinary practice, Animal Care Center in Poncha Springs, Colorado. She has attended three TTouch trainings with her horse and is well acquainted with TTouch. Dr. Varhus wrote: “We were able to save colic last night using the ear work, belly lifts, acupuncture and laser!  Surgery wasn't an option even though a valuable horse.  He was in so much pain when I arrived, despite already having given Banamine.  I immediately started ear work. That calmed him enough to get him to stand.  I was able to sedate him and exam him.  He had no gut sounds and a large distended pelvic flexure. Most horses I see like that don't survive. So I taught the owner and stable help to do the ear work and belly lifts while I did acupuncture and laser. It was about an hour or so and he started passing some gas.  By 2 hours he was passing a lot of gas with huge gut sounds!!!

 I really feel he would not have survived if it had not been all the hand- on work!!!

 It is so much fun to see them improve that way!!!

Foto: G.Boiselle

The ears and the base around them have many acupressure points. The triple heater meridian is located around the base of the ear and affects the digestive, pulmonary and reproductive systems. There are hundreds of cases demonstrating the effectiveness of Ear TTouch over the past 20 years.  By doing a circle at the base of the ear, followed by a slide to the tip, you activate the triple heater meridian, affect the shock point at the tip and help to regulate the immune system. 

Here is how you get started:

Stand in front of your horse and hold one side of the halter with one hand. Your horse’s head should be lowered. With the other hand gently explore the area around the ear on the opposite side. Move your fingers in small one and a quarter circles with light pressure, but enough contact to move the skin.

Foto: G.Boiselle

Bring the ear straight out to the side, or possibly a little forward, while your other hand on the halter stabilizes your horse’s head and keeps it straight.

Make sure you have firm contact over the shock point at the very tip of the ear.

Gently but firmly stroke the ear away from the base to the tip several times and then change to the other side. If your horse is nervous just 5 minutes will help him settle. In the case of colic or shock keep this up until you see relief or your vet arrives.

 You can also make small connected circles in lines from the base to the tip of the ear. If your horse is comfortable with it, it can be beneficial to work the inside of the ears. You can start by lightly sliding your thumb on the inside. As you do this make sure you stand comfortably, breathe easily and keep your fingers soft.

Pay close attention to your horse. He will let you know when you are pressing too hard by raising his head or fidgeting. Licking, chewing, and closing his eyes are signs of the horse enjoying the ear work.

 Most horses love ear slides, but there are horses who don’t like their ears touched and are afraid. If that is the case first teach your horse to lower his head and then work towards the ears slowly, making the circles with a sheepskin glove or using the back of your hand to touch.

It is well worth the effort to get your horse used to having his ears touched.

Knowing how to do this TTouch will give you a wonderful tool to help your horse in difficult situations and also enrich and deepen the relationship between you and your horse.

Foto: G. Boiselle