Insights on TTOUCH and headwork

[Alyson Gilman]

At a recent Advanced Clinic, I had a revelation about doing headwork. Marty was working with this wonderfully "headstrong" llama (pun intended)...let's call her Lucy. Marty was demonstrating that headwork is only helpful for the animal and handler when the animal's head is still.

It's like asking the kids to pay attention when they're watching TV or running out the door. It just doesn't work.

So, back to Marty and our lovely llama. Marty said she was trying to keep Lucy's head in a small imaginary box ... constantly balancing and re-balancing. When the llama's head is CONTAINED, not restrained, in this imaginary boundary, the animal (and handler alike) can be present for the TTOUCH and the haltering experience or whatever it is you want to do around the head.

Here's how I imagine it...
http://www.camelidynamics.com/forumPix/ttouch/web-head-box.jpg

I now think of it as a training pen for the head...I have applied this to my work and have found a profound difference in the relationship I can build with the animal while getting the headwork done.

Many thanks to Marty & llama Lucy.

[Marty McGee Bennett]

This is brilliant! I had another revalation about this at a recent clinic in Oregon. I was trying to explain the idea of trying to balance a head instead of control it and I picked up a shovel and demonstrated what I would do with my hands to try to balance it instead of just holding it. It took many little corrections with both hands but darned if didn't almost get that shovel to stand up by itself and THAT is the point! Teach an animal to balance and he can do it himself hold him up and you are forever committed to doing it for him!

[Tiffany Miller]

So true, Alyson! I was at the same Advanced Training Clinic and Marty's description of working with their head as if in a small imaginary box and your idea of it being a catch pen for their head has helped me daily as I work with my clients animals.
Thanks for sharing your insights!
Tiffany

[Karin Finch]

Just wanted to share some of the value of headwork and TTouch we have recently seen when a 3 month old cria had to have blood drawn for DNA card retest. The first time was when she was just a few days old and was a real handful for all.
Tiffany Miller has done a series of training sessions with all of our this years crias as this girl demonstrated its value. First we had split a 9x9 catch pen and that is where they get grain with their moms each morning and Tiffany does her head/body work. After putting mom and cria in the split pen i only had to use minimal balancing of her head for the blood draw and she didnt even flinch. We were so proud of how she handled herself and it made the Vets day. I really believe that she was very comfortable in the split pen and since she is used to being touched while there was able to control herself and remain calm, what a blessing for all.
Karin Finch

[Marty McGee Bennett]

you guys really walk the walk. good for you!