Hello All,
As busy as we are here in the office, I don’t get out of the stall much these days, so when I get a chance to get out and work on a horse or two I take it, especially if I get to fly myself there.
I just flew back from Fulton, MO after working on a horse - and my arms are killing me :D (I always loved that one!) An old compadre from the Endurance world had contacted me to see if she could bring her horse up from Missouri for to me to work on.
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Spotty is a part Thoroughbred, part Appaloosa endurance horse who has a “mystery” hind end issue that Lucie’s having trouble tracking down. It’s uncomfortable for Spotty to urinate (I hate it when that happens), and he has started crow-hopping behind, and if not listened to, has been throwing Lucie off. Lucie’s had tests and evaluations done and would like to get back to Competitive Trail Riding, when her knee heals, and if she can get to the bottom of the problem.
I like mysteries and told her it didn’t make sense for her to haul Spotty four hours up here - especially with her bad knee - when I could easily fly the old 1952 C-170 down there, which would shave at least 15 minutes off the trip.
"The Rambo keeps her warm in winter!"
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The airport I flew into at Fulton was a more modern facility; with a paved strip, indoor bathroom and low deer traffic - but it was fun anyway. We'll see if the visit helped Spotty and will report in the next newsletter.
"Ground Traffic at Keosauqua"
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We’ve talked about “mystery hind end issues” in this newsletter before. If you’re interested, I wrote a two-part article for Performance Horse Digest a few years ago that might help if you have a horse that is “not quite right” behind. You'll find a link to the first part on page 32. I'll have the second part ready for you on next month's newsletter.
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Missing Kait
Kaitlin Uehling (now Willer) came to interview with us in 2016 when we put the word out we were looking for someone to help in the office. After telling her what the job was she announced, “I want to work here!” And that was that.
From the very beginning she’s joined us in our vision, taking on on any task that needed to be done and learning whatever needed to be learned to do it. She soon became the glue that kept us organized and together as we navigated our way through our growing pains.
In 2019 she took the natural step from glue to Operations Officer, which basically means “the boss”. She’s been the perfect person for the job; she’s clear, detailed, focused and always positive. She’s also pregnant, and is due in the middle of May. This month she’s stepping away from her role with us to take on the role of Chief Operations Officer at home. I’m sure she’ll be the perfect person for that job, too.
Although we’re already suffering from post-partum depression here in the office, we’re not entirely saying goodbye. Just so long… maybe until next year. Fingers crossed!
I want to express my gratitude to Kait for the big part she’s played in getting us to where we are today, and the big changes she’s made to The Masterson Method.
We’ll miss you. Hurry back.
And Congratulations!
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It’s Not All Just Physical
In 2016, Barbara Glass of Redmond, WA attended her Masterson Method Advanced Course in Hawaii. I remember her telling other students in the class what she had gotten from her experience during the course. I remember being impressed with her take on what was happening.
Barbara is now a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) in the Seattle area and you can read more here.
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Last week she joined on our April Hands Online Membership zoom call during which we watched a bodywork session on a Standardbred ex-harness-racer. During the call she again shared her perspective on what this does for both the horse and the human, and sent me an email afterward:
“Hey Jim,
It was great attending the meeting today. I always learn something more from listening to and watching what you do. I also continue to learn while working on the horses - how to influence them through the bodywork and through intention and connection. It’s amazing how clearly they respond to my intention and to specific direction.
I see horses with behavioral issues learn how to trust and let go of their reactivity.
I finally got clients when I told my head trainer to give me 4 weeks of working weekly on her new horse who wasn’t trusting, who had injured himself in the stall and was becoming more reactive. She was able to appreciate his changes each week and started referring people to me.
I don’t really know why I’m telling you this - other than to say that it seems when I branch out more and more to what energy and intention do in the name of good for the horse - I see it in the horse and in me - and in other people as I did in the clinics in the beginning.
I worked with a horse who wouldn’t go forward. It was a funny thing. The trainer was on her back and asked for help. The horse and I had a conversation and I asked her to take just one step. She did. And then we continued our conversation - pretty soon she was trotting around with the trainer on her back. As long as I maintained a mental/energetic connection with her by standing in the arena and maintaining it- she kept going. Somebody asked me a question and I was distracted - and everything came to a halt. After another conversation - from a distance and a reminder to the horse that I was still with her - she went back to trotting. The trainer looked at me and said - my mind is exploding.
It is all so interesting. I feel like I see little miracles happen all of the time and I can’t really explain it in conceptual terms but I can show people how to feel it in themselves.
Horses get better and people get better. I coach equestrians who are scared and lacking confidence in their rides and in their lives. I will sometimes have them use their horse for a few sessions. We come back to the quiet they experience when doing the bladder meridian. This helps them find the quiet place inside themselves that they can begin to remember when they are scared. That along with coaching techniques I’ve acquired help me show them that the quiet they find in themselves can be seen in the horse and then...there is feedback to the person that they are creating this reality for the horse and for themselves.
Just thought I would share - my learning seems to keep expanding.
Best regards!
Barb”
If you remember, we had a podcast in February’s newsletter (Healing Vitality podcast) with Heather Drummond on how intuition and intention comes into play when your mind quiets down and you work with the horse rather than on the horse. This type of connection happens. I like to share these stories.
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Podcasts
Podcasts seem to be the thing nowadays. I think it’s a good thing. The discriminating listener can learn a lot more about what they’re interested in. This has been a busy podcast time for us with lots of requests and collaborations. These podcasts bring interviewees and interviewers with over-lapping interests together, and they bring new things and new ideas to their listeners.
We’ll be posting links to a couple of these interviews in each month’s newsletter.
Earlier this month I enjoyed a relaxed talk with performance horse trainer Warwick Schiller. Warwick’s an interesting guy whose mind is – I guess you could say - open to anything that enhances the relationship between humans and horses. For those of you who haven’t listened already on Warwick’s site, you can listen to the podcast by clicking on the picture below.
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Next month we’ll post a link to talks I had with Amber Lydic, and John Harrer at WHOA! |
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Over There
You read earlier about mystery hind end issues/lamenesses. Recently, while scrolling through the German Masterson Method (Körperarbeit) Facebook page, I noticed a post about “Mysterious Lameness”. The rest of the post was in German but that caught my eye so I hit the “translate” button. The story was about an undiagnosed lameness somewhere in the author's horse’s front end. After Masterson Method Certified Practitioner, Walter Saxe, worked on the horse, the horse wasn’t better but was actually worse. In fact it was clearly and diagnosably (I don’t know if that’s a word, in English or in German) lame.
That’s not the moral, or the upside, of the story. The owner was relieved and grateful that the vet now was able to find and treat the issue, and that the horse had the relief that comes with the bodywork, and the treatment. That’s the upside of the story.
If I had to come up with a moral it might be that you have to let go of the need to be right or to know exactly what’s going on, and be open to trying something different or to the possibility that there might be a trail to follow that goes off the normal path. As the owner Kerstin explains, horses are good at hiding physical issues. That’s how they survive. Some horses are mentally tougher and stronger than others and are better at covering up. When you get these horses to completely let go, that’s when a lameness or issue shows up that another horse might have shown you sooner.
Here’s the link in the button below. Scroll down to a post on March 29 by Kerstin Stockmann. It's the one with the ultrasound image. And unless you speak German you might want to hit the “translate button”.
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I spoke recently with Tracey Malone of Eden River Equestrian in Australia on her podcast Come Along for the Ride.
We hope to have courses up and running again in Australia soon. Whether you're here, or there, take a listen to our talk. Click on the photo below.
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In the UK
Vicky Devlin reports that things are slooowly opening up in the UK. We're able to carry on with scheduled Seminars and Courses in the UK, including the Seminar to be taught by Vicky at Ross Dhu Equestrian in Lanarkshire, Scotland (link here), directly following Dr. Stephen Peters' Your Horse's Brain clinic at Ross Dhu.
And as you can see below, at least the pubs are starting to show a little activity!
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Talk to you next month.
Until then, like me,
Enjoy your horses (and donkeys!).
Jim
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What's Up with the Membership? |
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April Level 2 Expert Hour Coming Up! |
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Level 1 and Level 2 Members can watch the replay of Jim working with Beau, an off-the-track Standardbred harness racer who raced for 7 years. |
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Level 2 Members can watch the replay of Jim's Live Technique Breakdown on the Under the Scapula Technique. |
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Level 2 Members can learn about Equine Dental Health, TMJ Alignment™, and Whole Body Balance with Gretchen Deane, MMCP and certified in the School of Neuromuscular Dentistry, on April 28 at 11:00 a.m. CST. |
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Level 1 and 2 Members
The "Live Review with Jim" call is scheduled for May 8th.
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Level 2 Members
The Expert Hour is scheduled for May 13th with Murielle Richard-Price.
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Level 2 Members
The Live Technique Breakdown is scheduled for May 20th.
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Love coffee?
Check out the new featured product available in the online store!!
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Here is a short testimonial from Gina
at Morning Sun Ranch - take a listen!
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Mare's Day Sale! May 1 - 15! |
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Celebrate "Mare's Day" with the Masterson Method!
Sale starts May 1st and ends May 15th.
Beyond Horse Massage Video 15% off!
*Shipping only in North America.
*Online streaming available worldwide.
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Newly Certified Practitioners |
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Need help for your horse? Find a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) near you. Our Certified Practitioners are dedicated equine professionals who have acquired highly attuned skills in partnering with the horse to release tension and increase range of motion, thereby restoring healthy posture and performance. Add an MMCP to your horse’s wellness team by visiting the Find a Practitioner page on our website for the closest practitioner to you.
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Jane Walker
Glen Allen, Virginia
Jane arrived somewhat late to the horse world. As a little girl, she would see horses only occasionally – in the field or at the rare horse show or rodeo – but knew she wanted and needed to be around this beautiful being eventually. She took a riding course in college and it was her first experience up close and personal to horses. In her 20’s and 30’s she managed to take once-a-week lessons, but she actually marks the start of her horse career with the purchase of her first horse, a thoroughbred she called Windy. Through time spent in the saddle, lessons, injuries, equine illnesses and lameness, diets and supplements, tack changes, showing – that long list of things that horse owners tread through – Jane decided that she wanted to give back to the horses she came to know.
Jane took an equine massage course but believed that there could be a deeper therapeutic connection to horses she worked with so, she began her search for more instruction and direction. After some on-line searching, she found a Masterson Method® video on YouTube. She was intrigued by the light touch used and tried out the Bladder Meridian and some other techniques on a few of horses. From there she bought the book Beyond Horse Massage, then attended a weekend seminar, and eventually completed the certification.
The Masterson Method® filled that deeper connection by introducing her to observing the horse in a way she had not done previously and to responding in light, soft ways that reached the horse on a deep level. Jane finds the connections made through Masterson Method® bodywork are a benefit to herself as well as the horses – she feels there’s no better way to spend time and feel good energy. It’s a very happy win!
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Jane Kameny Brown
Santa Cruz, California
Like so many others, I have been in love with horses ever since I could remember. Not being able to own one, I had a great collection of Breyer horses, I drew them, pretended to BE one, and I rode at the local rental stable whenever I could finagle it.
I worked at several Thoroughbred Ranches and an Arabian Ranch during my teen and college years. I rode hundreds of horses, especially the ones no one else wanted to ride. I was attracted to the difficult or challenging horses, and although I never had lessons, I found the horses taught me how to communicate with them if I listened carefully.
I finally got my very own wonderful (and once upon a time, very challenging) mare when I was 45, and she has been an incredible teacher. She has also been a Masterson demo horse many times and she is a HUGE fan of The Masterson Method®. I also own 2 other horses and a rescued donkey, all who benefit from my new skill set.
I had always wished for a career working with horses, but until now, with the Masterson Method®, it hasn’t been possible. I earned a BA in Psychology, focusing on physiological psychology and animal studies. I spent 10 years in retail management, then while my children were growing up, 20 years as an Art Teacher for K-8. I am also an accomplished artist, horses not surprisingly being my favorite subject.
During these years, I rode as often as possible, moving cattle and checking fence lines on the family cattle ranch, and riding any horses that came into my orbit. I studied every book I could get my hands on, read magazines and immersed myself in anything equine, soaking up knowledge along the way.
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Mary Barrett
Missoula, Montana
Mary’s intense love of horses, her natural comfort around animals and four decades of equine knowledge blend perfectly with The Masterson Method®. She was profoundly influenced by Dr. Sid Erickson a veterinarian chiropractor she had hired for her horses and dogs for over two decades. But it was after discovering Jim’s book, that she attended a weekend seminar and soon changed the direction of her life toward equine body work. Her passion changed from riding horses to helping horses.
She took several years to complete her certification but was always working on horses, always learning and slowly following a path toward becoming a Masterson Method® practitioner.
Mary’s riding experience in show jumping, eventing, classical dressage and recently working equitation provides added insights into the biomechanics of equine athletes. She is passionate about continuing her education. Watching webinars sponsored by Masterson Method® and attending advanced anatomy courses.
As a Masterson Method® Certified Practitioner her goal is to provide a wholistic approach for her clients. Listening and asking questions. Gathering as much information as possible to better serve the horses she works on. Always working toward a successful outcome for owner and horse. She prefers a team approach when possible and is willing to work and communicate with her clients riding instructors, farriers, dentists, veterinarians and saddle fitters. This collaborative approach has been very successful for her clients.
Mary lives on a small ranch in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley of Montana and works on horses and ponies in a variety of disciplines.
She serves the surrounding Missoula area and offers reasonable travel rates.
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Flora Smith
Carmel Valley, California
I was blessed to have horses in my life from a very early age. Thanks to two trusty Palominos, this quiet
little girl felt free and empowered when riding the hills and river trails of Carmel Valley, CA. Parting with
those dear equine friends was heartbreak after graduation but there were always other horses for me to ride to keep the love affair going.
In 2002 I took a job exercising and caring for 25 saddle horses and a team of Percherons on a 5,000
acre private ranch in McCloud, CA. As I formed relationships with the more sensitive and challenging
horses, it became my quest to learn the most natural and effective ways of communicating my ideas to
them while understanding theirs. I have had the privilege of learning these ways over the years from
Joe Wolters, Pat and Linda Parelli, Dave Ellis, Jodi Grimm and Ray Berta.
I purchased a challenging 5 yr. old quarter horse in 2005 who was reactive, aloof and in very poor
health. This horse led me to where I am today; I restarted him using natural methods. I began exploring
wholistic remedies including diet, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture and massage to bring him back to
physical and emotional health. These modalities have all played a big part in my own personal
wellness. I learned about natural hoof trimming from Pete Ramey and Natural Balance Equine Dentistry from Amy Scripps.
I began working as an Equine Specialist for Horsepower—an EGALA-based equine learning/therapy program in 2007. This role has given me an immense appreciation for the powerful healing that humans can experience in the presence of a horse. I learned about the equine brain and how attuned horses
are as prey animals to us and the world around them. My desire became to help horses find physical and mental balance in the often stressful human environment.
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Weekend Seminar-Workshop Schedule |
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* If the course you had your heart set on is sold out, please email jo@mastersonmethod.com to be added to the waiting list.
Worried about COVID19? Read our COVID precautions and refund info here:
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USA Seminars
Canada Seminars
(taught in French)
(taught in French)
(Note: Sun-Mon course)
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European Seminars
(taught in German)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in German)
(taught in Polish)
(taught in German)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
(taught in Dutch)
Australia & New Zealand Seminars
South Africa
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Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule |
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USA Advanced Courses
European Advanced Courses
(*Note: Wed-Sun course)
June 2-6 Aßlar, DE taught in German with Walter Saxe
(*Note: Wed-Sun course)
(*Note: Wed-Sun course)
Canada Advanced Courses
Australia & New Zealand
(Check back for upcoming 5-Days)
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Certification Completion Course Schedule |
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USA Courses
Tentative: Sept (TBD) Fairfield, IA
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Masterson Method Equine Specialist Courses |
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Masterson Method Collaborative Clinics |
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USA Collaborative Clinics
Collaborative Clinic with Jim Masterson and Mark Rashid
Your Horse's Brain Collaborative clinic with Dr. Peters, Mark Rashid, and Jim Masterson
Collaborative Clinic with Jim Masterson and Mark Rashid
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USA Expos & Demos
(Check back for upcoming demos)
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"Absorbine’s relationship with The Masterson Method® is a natural fit. Jim’s breakthrough but simple concepts are all focused on helping the horse to relieve tension, feel more comfortable and improve their relationships with owners and handlers.”
~ Amy Cairy, Director of Marketing,
W. F. Young, manufacturers of Absorbine products
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THE MASTERSON METHOD®
641-472-1312
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