Tellington TTouch Training Canada

The Facility

The outdoor riding arena at Tellington TTouch Canada headquarters in Coldstream, BC

Tellington TTouch Canada offers workshops and events around the country, and the world.  However our brick and mortar headquarters are located near Vernon, British Columbia, Canada.

For nearly four decades, Robyn Hood, sister of founder Linda Tellington-Jones, and Senior International TTouch Instructor, has hosted workshops at her facility just east of Vernon.  Home to a herd of friendly Icelandic Horses; the Icelandic Horse Farm serves as the Canadian Headquarters for Tellington TTouch Training and its office.  Together with their daughter, Mandy Pretty, the facility embraces the Tellington TTouch philosophy of respect for all creatures, in a beautiful, peaceful setting.

The approach to the Icelandic Horse Farm. Workshops at the farm are generally considered extra special experiences.  From the minute you arrive, you are greeted by a chorus of dogs, possibly a parrot in a tree, and quite possibly a senior yard horse wandering around.

The farm is situated on 65 panoramic acres with 360 degree mountain valley views.  Horses live in large herds and welcome visitors.  The overall ambiance is friendly and casual, and all participants are encouraged to make themselves at home.

Coffee, tea and spring water, along with snacks for break times will be provided at  trainings. Robyn is an incredible baker and makes a wide variety of homemade muffins, breads, and other goodies. Whenever possible, organic, local ingredients are sourced and many recipes are Gluten Free and made with Organic Coconut Oil and Coconut sugar.

TTouch clinic participants enjoy lunch on the deck.

Lunches are included* at the workshops held at the Icelandic Horse Farm. (*Subject to current COVID regulations).

These are varied, delicious meals that feature many local vegetables from the Farmers Market. Santa Fe Black Bean Salad, Chick Pea, Apple Curry Salad, Roasted Beet, Walnut, and Goats Cheese, Heirloom Tomato, Basil, and Buffalo Mozza, or Quinoa Mango Salad are just a few of the salads you will enjoy; paired with cheeses (our local dairy, makes a phenomenal raw Gouda) meats, and other sandwich fixings it is little wonder Robyn has recipe requests all summer long!

Lunches are complemented with Citrus-Herb infused water and decadent dessert such as Paleo Fudge (Dark chocolate, coconut oil, almond butter, vanilla, and maple syrup), or Robyn’s World Famous Brownies – we are not exaggerating when we tell you these are the most delicious Brownies you will ever taste! She even perfected a Gluten Free version last summer!

Please be sure and note any dietary requirements you may have, we are extremely flexible and work hard to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Using the TTouch Confidence Course to help dogs

You may also want to include a water bottle, sunscreen and a hat for summer workshops. The Vernon weather can vary and while we will be working in a covered arena we have a large outdoor arena where we also do groundwork.

Accommodations for participants are available nearby and help encourage camaraderie among the group.

We are easily accessible, just 15 minutes east of Vernon city center.  Our local airport, Kelowna International (YLW), is approximately 45 minutes away and offers daily flights via Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle, Toronto, and other destinations.

Horse Trainings

Three handlers ground drive a horse the Tellington TTouch way.

Horse clinics combine a huge amount of information, with an easy to learn, fun, hands-on format. Participants may choose to bring their own horses, or work with some of our many friendly horses at the farm.

Tellington TTouch with Connected Riding and the Starting Young Horse Clinics may count towards Practitioner Status. The majority of participants take these courses for their own knowledge and there is always a wonderful variety of skills, background, and experience.

All trainings have a good teacher-student ratio. There is always at least one assistant and larger trainings will have several. This ensures that students are supported in their learning and helps maintain safety.

Riding lesson at a Tellington TTOuch clinic for horses.Riding clinics are kept small to ensure individualized attention. We have a large selection of horses that moonlight as lesson horses for all levels of riders. They are excellent teachers and seem to enjoy this role, especially as it is not something they do day in, day out, all year long.

We have a large selection of helmets to borrow, if you can’t quite manage to fit yours in your suitcase, and require participants to wear appropriate footwear.

Companion Animal Trainings

Two Tellington TTouch Practitioners lead a Boston Terrier in the Bee Line leading position.

TTouch Trainings give you the opportunity to develop tools to enrich the relationship with your dog or other companion animal. You may be amazed to discover that some habits your pet displays that you have just learned to ignore or work around can be changed through non-violent methods.

Spend 5 days learning how to be with your dog in ways that will help your relationship grow and strengthen. You may discover that the belief “that’s just the way he is” or “he likes to . . .” may not in fact be true. Your dog may indeed be able to change some of the habits you both thought you just had to live with! In fact you may find that making small changes to your ways or attitude is all that is needed.

The TTouch method also addresses more severe issues such as aggression, fear, barking, leash-pulling, and provides techniques to help with the discomforts and difficulties of inevitable aging.

While the clinic will feature work with dogs you will also have the opportunity to work with other animal species. This will expand your knowledge of possibilities inherent in the Tellington TTouch method applied to all animals.

These clinics can stand on their own, if your primary goal is to improve your connection with your dog or cat through use of the Tellington TTouch, or be counted towards the Practitioner Certification Program. You may bring a dog with you, but it is not necessary for participation. If you are attending with a dog, please bring a water bowl, a bed for him/her to lie on (optional), and anything needed to make your dog more comfortable.

All trainings are 6 days. The Foundation Training can be taken by those who are interested in learning more about the TTouch work and will be counted as Session 1 of the six session, two year Practitioner Training Program if you choose to continue with the program.

Vernon and Surrounding Area

Mandy Pretty and Icelandic horse friends swimming in Kalamalka Lake

The Okanagan Valley is a spectacular area filled with Orchards, small, world-class vineyards, and some of the most beautiful natural lakes in the world.  Located 5 hours east of Vancouver and 6 hours west of Calgary, Vernon is in the heart of the region.

If you have “non-horsey” partners consider bringing them along! There are plenty of places to explore in the surrounding area, especially if hiking, fishing, mountain biking, golf, or wine is a hobby!

Silver Star Mountain Resort is located 45 minutes from the Farm and boasts an exceptional summer facility for hiking and mountain biking.

For the golfer there are numerous courses locally, highlighted by Predator Ridge Resort, which offers two World Class golf courses only 35 minutes from the Farm. The resort has excellent food, accommodations, in a beautiful grass lands setting. In the summer it is home to Hockey Canada so don’t be surprised to bump into one of the many NHL players who own summer homes there.Predator Ridge boasts world class golf courses

Just up the road from Predator Ridge is Sparkling Hill Resort. This picturesque hotel and spa features over 3.5 Swarvorski Crystals in its décor and was named Fodors Top 11 Trendsetting Hotels of the World in 2012. The European Style spa is world class and features unbeatable views on Okanagan Lake.

The Okanagan Valley is home to over 200 vineyards. Located 45 minutes from the Farm are 5 excellent examples of these; Intrigue (spectacular Gewutztraminer – even if you think you don’t like them), Graymonk ( try the Pinot Auxerrois or their Meritage), Arrowleaf (best value, great blends, and an amazing lake view picnic area), Ex Nihilo (superb Merlot), and 50th Parallel (try the Rosé if it’s available!).

Okanagan winery

The Coldstream Valley, British Columbia