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Improving Recovery Rates At Vet ChecksWe have heard of the great results that TTEAM members on endurance ride pit crews have been able to accomplish. This TTEAM magic has been given credit to many a win by endurance competitors, and even said to have saved lives in colic, tying-up and exhausted horse syndrome cases. I wanted to learn what I could of this seemingly secret formula. What could I do to increase recovery rates, help my horse rest and eat better, and reduce painful injuries? Working
The Ears The tips of the ears have a number of acupressure points for shock and stomach pain. Which is why TTEAM members work the ears, when the horse has colic. There are also other acupressure points which assist in bringing the horse's body back into balance, thus helping it to recover from stress. If your horse does not like to have his ears touched, start by using a damp cotton sock, or washcloth over your hand. If you work your horse's ears at home several times, so you can practice, you will find that he responds more quickly, when you work him in a competitive situation (the pulse comes down quicker). You will feel more confident with the procedure as well. It is said that if you could only do one thing on your horse to help recovery, it would almost always be working the ears. Lick
of the Cow's Tongue Your other hand should rest lightly on the horse and you must remain balanced over the balls of your feet. When the motion comes from your feet rather than just using your arm, you will tend to take deeper, slower breaths. The horse's response will dictate the amount of pressure you use. If he shows discomfort, lighten the pressure. You can also use the Lick of the Cow's Tongue across the shoulder, going across the hair from the point of the shoulder, and across the hair on the hindquarter. Raising
The Back Stand facing the horse's barrel. Your fingers are spread apart and the tips are curved up. Start under the horse's belly just over the mid-line and 'rake' your fingers across the bottom of the belly bringing your fingers up to a height just above that of the horse's elbow. Start out with a gentle 'rake' so you don't startle the horse, but you will find that with most horses you will use quite a firm pressure. Besides the back raising you will usually see the back fill out on either side of the spine. Do this from both sides of the horse, starting just behind the elbow. Belly
Lifts Starting just behind the front legs, gently lift the horse's abdomen. Hold that position anywhere from 10 to 45 seconds depending on the horse. Then SLOWLY release the pressure. The slow release is of utmost importance in getting the desired effect. If you can make the release twice as long as the lift, that would be ideal. Be sure and use your legs, not just your back to lift If your horse objects, lift less until you can just feel the downward pressure of the belly. Move your hands or towel six to eight inches towards the hindquarters and repeat the procedure. Continue until you are as close to the flank as is comfortable and safe. The belly lifts can then be repeated three or four times starting each time at the elbow. When you are alone, you can use your arm from the elbow to the hand to do a one man belly lift. Be sure to use your legs rather than your back and shoulders to lift. Tail
Work If your horse really clamps his tail when your start to touch it, spend more time doing the Raccoon Touch on the hindquarters. As you start to work the tail, gently pull the hair at the top of the tail, and then instead of putting your hand under the tailbone, take a large clump of hair on top of it. Lift the tailbone with the hair and make a few circles to accustom the horse to the feeling. To pull the tail, carefully stand behind your horse and slide your hands down the tailbone so one hand is above the other. Slowly rock your weight back, feeling for the connection through the spine as you pull. Hold for the count of about 6 and then SLOWLY release back to the original position. This type of tail pull gives a gentle stretch to the spine and is very relaxing to the horse. If your horse has a very loose connection when you pull back on the tail (it will feel like the tail is attached by a loose rubberband), DO Not Pull This Type of Tail. Instead use the question mark position with the tail curved. Besides making circles with the tail, gently pull back with the tail curved and then push the tailbone towards the spine. Python
Lifts Once you have practiced these techniques at home, you can go over your horse in about 5 to 10 minutes, or by just using the ear work and back raising and a few Lick of the Cow's Tongues, when time is limited. Many people have found these methods helpful in lowering pulse and respiration, and alleviating and preventing sore muscles. In cases when a horse begins to dehydrate, the TTEAM methods have been successful in stimulation eating, drinking and gut sounds. c)2001
by Karen Murray. All rights reserved.
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