MEET THE TRAINER SERIES

AnnaReach Out Twinney to Horses

Anna and Belle at the Equine Voices Sanctuary in Tucson, Arizona. Photo by Elena Dorfman.

This month, we introduce our Her love and compassion for these majestic police officer in England, Anna left an eight- beings began with the relationship she had with year career with the constabulary and moved new Meet the Trainer series. her own childhood horse, Ringo. Says Anna, to the to pursue her real dream: We’re featuring trainer and “Ringo showed me unconditional love and how helping horses and their people to grow in part- to explore my imagination through play.” nership. clinician, Anna Twinney. As an adult, Anna continued her training For Anna, the horses — but especially the Learn all about Anna and how with Carrie, a Palomino Thoroughbred Irish wild Mustangs — became a university of learn- Draught mare. She and Carrie entered com- ing. After extensive studies into the “Lan- she speaks the language of petitions, including show jumping, long dis- guage of Equus” she became an integral part horses. tance riding, and cross-country jumping. “Car- of the research and development team for the rie played an important role on my new path,” Monty Roberts International Learning Cen- says Anna. “Influenced by the challenges she ter (MRILC). “With just a suitcase in hand,” nna Twinney is a Natural presented, I sought gentle horsemanship tech- explains Anna, “I left my family, home, horse Horsemanship clinician and niques.” and dog behind to follow my heart and dreams. an Animal Communicator. Anna began her exploration of Natural The Center became my home, and I dedicated She brings to the world of Horsemanship as a participant in Monty Rob- 24 hours a day to learning all I could from the horsesA a unique perspective, attitude erts’s studies at Flag Is Up Farms in . horses. It became one of the most challenging and technique. Following a year’s sabbatical from her job as a times of my life but also one of the most re- 14 April 2007 warding.” lia. She also assisted at a Speaking your Horse’s Language Qualified as one of wild horse sanctuary where by Anna Twinney the first six instructors she was part of the educa- throughout the world, Anna tion program and played a He gave out a loud tion. The herd appeared for them to move, and they was the only person ever to significant role in gentling snort, clearly a warning. I to be relaxed, as though moseyed on. I honored be entrusted with the title mustangs for special care made sure not to look him they had no worries in the their decision and thanked of Head Instructor at the and foster homes. in the eyes so I wouldn’t be world, but they were ever them for this life-changing MRILC and to be a member Anna’s interest in the sending him any message attentive to their leader’s experience as I watched of the MRIA Board of Direc- “Language of Equus” has of a challenge. Instead, I body language. them walk off into the sun- tors. led her to focus increas- remained still, crouched I had never been this set. Observing wild, un- Anna was the originator ingly on the power of ani- down, using my peripheral close to a band of wild touched, or, indeed domes- of several of Monty Roberts’ mal communication to vision to watch the herd. horses and here I was, by tic horses, in their natural courses. She supervised strengthen and deepen our Following my breath their definition, a preda- habitat gives you a chance and wrote the standard ex- relationships with all spe- to remain calm, I released tor in their space. And yet to see their language in its ams for both introductory cies. “The horses showed any tension I was holding they somehow understood uninfluenced form. and instructor classes and me that their language goes while I watched this mag- my intentions and allowed Learning the intrica- has been instrumental in beyond the whisper,” says nificent stallion; the sym- me this unique privilege cies of their body gestures, graduating many instruc- Anna. “It includes energy bol of freedom, the true of remaining among them. the way they interact with tors worldwide. and inter-species commu- Spirit of the Horse. They had the choice to one another, coupled with nication. Now is the time to While his family grazed leave at any time, as the their herd hierarchy pro- take Natural Horsemanship peacefully, heads lowered Victoria Plains in vides you with the oppor- The to a deeper level”. in the lush green grass, are expansive and without tunity to understand their horses Today, Anna is proud to he held himself upright, any other human being or characters, personalities “ travel the globe and spread muscles supple, ready for landmarks as far as the eye and natural behavior pat- showed me her knowledge. She has anything. His head and could see. But their curios- terns. conducted clinics, classes neck were rigid while he ity kept them near. You can also witness that their and training sessions in looked right in my direc- Eventually, it was time their physical language as Australia, Canada, Europe LANGUAGE and throughout the United States. Explains Anna, “My goes dream is to take my Reach Out to Horses® program to beyond the Third World countries and to make a difference in the whisper. lives of the working horses and people that are unable ” to travel to the U.S.” Beyond her own equine Anna’s work has been training and experience, featured on TV, including a Anna has explored numer- segment on Martha Stewart ous “alternative” healing and a BBC fly-on-the-wall modalities over the years, documentary. Starting in including becoming a cer- April, you can watch epi- tified Reiki Master and sodes of Anna’s methods Reconnective Healing® on the Horse TV Chan- practitioner. She has stud- nel throughout the United ied Equine Herbal Natural States. Remedies and Aromathera- For further information py and most recently grad- on Anna and her DVD se- uated as a certified animal ries, “Reach Out to Natural communicator. Horsemanship,” visit her One of Anna’s great pas- Web site at www.reachout- sions is the survival and pro- tohorses.com. tection of untouched horses, To talk with others and she has been privileged online about this article to observe brumbies — wild or its subject matter, horses — in their natural visit www.stablechatter.com. habitat in Victoria, Austra- Ride! Magazine 15 well as their ability to Ears Licking and chewing. Anna Twinney communicate with one an- Your horse’s ears tell you If they have been holding other through energy and where he is receiving infor- tension and then feel a Equine Specialist inter-species communica- mation. Horses are capable release of pressure, they tion. This in turn allows you of rotating each ear indepen- will often lick and chew. It ® to bridge the gap between dently. Take note when your is a sign that they are di- Reach Out To Horses the two worlds. horse’s ear is locked on to gesting and understanding Creating harmony for humans & horses Here are just a few of you, for this lets you know information, while at the their gestures that you will that he is paying attention. same time becoming more be able to use yourself to When my horse is at lib- relaxed. It also means that communicate with your erty, I like to see 75 percent they are herbivores and if horse. By identifying, in- or more of my horse’s ear they are in a place to eat, • Healing terpreting and using some locked in my direction, which they are safe and not at • Coaching of the horse’s language, a shows me he is focused and risk. They lick and chew • Demonstrations whole new world will open involved in a conversation. as a sign of submission; it up for you, and you will be- His outside ear may be rotat- shows that they mean no • Lectures & Clinics gin to create a relationship ing and listening to the rest harm to one another. Many • Gentling & Training far deeper than you ever of his environment. young horses and horses • Natural Horsemanship knew possible. His ears will often indi- in general lick and chew cate where he has focused out of respect for their el- • Animal Communication Eyes his attention. You will notice ders. You will often see Check out her You may have already when you pick up his feet, foals “clacking and snap- educational DVDs today! heard that a horse’s eye his ear will follow you. ping” to others around is the window to his soul. When exploring new ob- them. Occasionally this By looking into his eye you jects such as walking over a sign will be displayed while Cell: 805.350.1406 can feel his current state of tarpaulin, your horse will hold their jaw is closed, so keep Email: [email protected] mind, emotions and feel- his ears back — not because an eye out for the rotation Web site: www.reachouttohorses.com ings. You can determine if he is mad, but because he is of their jaw — they may not he is happy, sad, fearful, paying attention to his hind feel comfortable enough to concerned, soulful, griev- quarters. When he is com- open their mouth fully. ing, playful, in pain or re- pletely at ease with this new Grinding teeth. This Free Catalog! laxed. task, his ears will again be- shows they are worried, However, the language come mobile. that tension is building. goes beyond observing Understanding the mes- They may be associat- emotions; if all you ever do sage of a horse’s ears, along ing your request with past is stare into your horse’s with his other gestures, can memories. They may also eyes, you will dull other help you understand more find it difficult to under- forms of communication. about your horse’s emotional stand what you are asking Communicating with state. them to do. your eyes to your horse Floppy. This often shows Wrinkling nose. You and visa versa is very pow- that the horse is confused or often see this when hors- erful. If used correctly, you uncertain. es are getting mad. Some- can direct his speed and Forward. This denotes times this will be the sign feet, change direction and attention to something in they show when they are draw your horse to you. front or in the distance. disgruntled. Additionally, horses Back. This shows that use their eyes as a form of he is paying attention to the One cannot begin to reprimand, to send others rear. describe a whole language out of their herd. We have Flat back. He’s really in a small article. Fluency adapted this communica- upset; it’s most likely a warn- with the language only Brimming with new products tion to assist in creating ing that if you don’t respond comes when conversing for you and your horse! boundaries. accordingly there is more to with the native speakers • Call for your new FREE Annual catalog: 1-866-603-6667 By placing our eyes come. themselves. I recommend • Shop online at doversaddlery.com directly onto their’s with you watch, listen and learn. a clear intention you will Facial Gestures Keep your mind and your cause them to stand, back- Horses make many com- heart open and you will be up or leave your herd of municative gestures with amazed at what you begin two. their mouths. to see! 1X152 16 April 2007