| We all know the most common communications | | | | other animals can learn simple verbal commands very |
| strategies that are used in our everyday life: | | | | successfully; but even without words, animals can |
| telephones, mobile telephones, pagers, walkie-talkies, | | | | often read their master's body language and even their |
| CB radios and many others that we simply couldn't | | | | stance. One pairing in which non-verbal |
| imagine doing without. But there are literally millions of | | | | communications strategies are tested to their fullest |
| different ways, both verbal and not verbal, that | | | | extent is in the elegant art of dressage. Commonly |
| humans and other living creatures communicate with | | | | referred to as 'horse ballet', the aim of dressage is to |
| each other. They don't all involve electronic devices; | | | | get the animal to execute a series of complicated |
| here are a few of the more unusual ones we have | | | | moves, at the direction of the rider, in an effortless and |
| uncovered. | | | | relaxed manner. Dressage ranges from basic levels of |
| A Gentle Touch | | | | movement right up to Olympic-standard programmes |
| Most people are familiar with the poignant story of | | | | and even at its simplest, it is imperative that the |
| Helen Keller, a blind and deaf child, who was brought | | | | communication between horse and rider is implicit. A |
| out of her life of isolation by the tender and patient | | | | skilled rider knows how to apply commands with a |
| work of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Miss Sullivan used | | | | minimum of effort and a well-trained, even-tempered |
| the techniques of touch and feeling in her | | | | horse will respond in kind. |
| communications strategies to unlock Helen Keller's dark | | | | ET Phone Home |
| and silent life. From the first moment of their meeting, | | | | When it comes to extra-terrestrials and UFOs there |
| when she spelled out the letters of the word 'doll' into | | | | are not too many fence-sitters; you are either a |
| Helen's palm representing the gift she had brought her, | | | | die-hard skeptic or totally convinced we are not alone |
| Anne Sullivan was on her way to creating their very | | | | here in this huge universe. One thing the believers must |
| own private communications strategies. Within weeks | | | | take credit for is their determination to developing |
| Helen had had a major breakthrough and was able to | | | | communications strategies in order to talk to whoever |
| name all the familiar objects in her limited world. Helen | | | | or whatever is out there. From signalling the universe |
| Keller became the first deaf and blind person to ever | | | | on giant homemade satellite dishes, right down to |
| earn a degree, and she went on to become a | | | | alleged telepathic mobile phone conversations with |
| world-renowned author and public speaker - all thanks | | | | aliens, people have been claiming success for many |
| to her dedicated teacher. | | | | years. As far back as 1952, Jack Sarfatti, a respected |
| Equestrian Etiquette | | | | quantum physicist claimed he was receiving messages |
| Any animal owner can attest to the fact that they can | | | | from aliens through his home telephone. He maintains |
| communicate with their furry companions in many | | | | that the wisdom imparted to him in these calls went on |
| different ways and on many different levels. Dogs and | | | | to assist his highly successful career. |