Hello All,
Feet are important. We took the opportunity here this Christmas to have everyone’s hooves done at the same time. They’re all on the same trimming cycle now.
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Sometimes you’ll notice when the toes start to get long and the heels run under that they might start to get grumpy, balk at jumps, maybe buck over an obstacle or a big job. These are signs that the feet may be an issue and it’s time to bring them into the trimmer. They always leave with a smile on their face 😊. Thank you, Tamara, Jo, Kyla, Kelsey, Kait and Weda. Merry Christmas!
This newsletter will be somewhat of a travelogue, with lots of photos and minimal yapping!
Just flew in from a trip around the world in 30 days and I gotta tell ya’, my arms are killin’ me! Sorry. Old joke. Unless you’ve heard of Henny Youngman you’re probably too young for that one.
We left you last in Sydney, Australia where we’d just completed a Weekend Seminar at the
New South Wales Mounted Police. We were proud to have two members of this unit join the nine “civvies” for the course. I'm impressed with the level of care and consideration members of the unit give their horses. Good on ya'!
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From there to New Zealand to do a Weekend Seminar in the beautiful area around Coroglen.
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Our two new Instructors Nadine Vollmerg and Anna Drabble were on hand to help teach this course. Big news is both will now be presenting Weekend Seminars in New Zealand. Take a look at the Calendar below for two coming up in 2020, in
Meeanee, NZ
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Instructor Nadine Vollmerg
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Also on hand to help and become certified was Elan
Panther-Fahy.
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MMCP Elan and some old guy.
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We then presented at
Equitana NZ for the first time. Not as big of an affair as Australia, but very friendly and successful as we talked and presented to tons of new people and got things rolling there. Go Team NZ! Oh, already said that. My enthusiasm got the better of me.
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Back to Australia, Victoria this time, at Andrew and Nicky Bowe’s
Mayfield Farm and
College of Equine Podiotherapy in the town of Yarck. One hotel with a restaurant, two coffee shops, a bakery, a bookstore and a few people.
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Our new Instructor in Victoria, Pam Martin had just finished teaching 12 students at a Weekend Seminar there. Six stayed on to join us and another six came for an Advanced 5-Day Course.
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Am always happy to have blokes on hand. Wouter
Gerryts came from Western Australia to attend the Advanced 5-Day Course and is now in the certification program. Bruce Fenwick was there for the five days to help, and to finish his certification. Bruce lives near Adelaide and has spent a lot of time with
Steve Halfpenny. He has a business gentling foals, is a natural with horses, and is now a bonafide MMCP!
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From left to right: Bruce (the one with the hat), Jim, and Wouter.
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Our two new MMCPs in Victoria: Bruce Fenwick and Tammy Mason. Congratulations Bruce and Tammy!
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Day three of the course was spent at
Chris Dunlop’s place, where he and his crew guide three to eight-day rides in the Victoria high country. Interesting old hand, who also obviously cares for his horses.
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From there (this is where my arms are starting to get tired) flew west to Johannesburg, South Africa.
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The high level of horse activity in Kyalami near Joburg includes the South African Derby, and World Cup qualifying competitions. It is also where seven students finished up the arduous certification program with me, and are now official MMCPs.
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South Africa 2019 Certification Completion Course. Congratulations!
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Now they can hang out and relax for a while like some of the other inhabitants around Jo’burg.
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From there two hours south, where we had just enough time to do a Weekend Seminar in beautiful Paarl Valley near Cape Town. It was worth the tired arms. Beautiful!
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View of the Cape Town class
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We now have, in South Africa, a total of 15 MMCPs, and two new Instructors: Alex Davies in Johannesburg, and Kathy Adams in Cape Town. Go Team ZA!
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In addition to humans, our Overseas Manager Vicky Devlin reminds me to keep things in perspective by keeping track of the number of horses we get our hands on during these training trips. Normally I spend more time teaching and less traveling, so the number usually comes in around 200 to 300. This trip was around 125… Bummer!
HOWEVER, we now have five new Instructors, ten new MMCPs and 62 Weekend Seminar grads to spread the love in the southern hemisphere!
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Go Team Southern Hemisphere!
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Back home now, in time for snow and Christmas. Got the lights up and have been able to get some time in with Jeremiah and Annabelle.
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View of home between Jeremiah’s ears
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We have had a few articles about The Masterson Method in
Equestrian Living Magazine
in their Mastering Partnership section this past year. One is an article about a Navy veteran’s participation in a program that we’re associated with called
Equine Empowered Therapy
. You can read a copy of that one
here
.
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I was surprised to see rider Clementine Goutal on the cover of the October issue. Interesting (or not) fact: I used to work on Clementine’s and her older sister Brianne’s horses on the show circuit back when Clementine was entering teen-hood. How time gallops.
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Well, that’s about it for this year. I look forward to seeing all of you next year even Happier, Healthier and Successful-er!
Merry Christmas from all of us here in Fairfield.
Until next year, like me,
Enjoy Your Horses!
Jim
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Merry Christmas from the MES Office!!
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Front row: Weda, Jim, Conley, Kyla, Back row: Kait, Jo, Kelsey, Tamara
Happy Holidays!
Wishing you each a wonderful holiday season, with a blessed New Year!
We are so thankful to work with such heartfelt people, doing amazing work with horses around the world. Thank you for your inspiration, dedication and great work.
We hope to see many new faces at Weekend Seminars in 2020,
as well as returning smiles at the Advanced Courses!
Happy 2020!
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Exciting News: New Video!
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Join world-class horsemen Dr. Stephen Peters, Jim Masterson and Mark Rashid as they discuss how to more effectively understand and work with the horse using the science of horse brain function.
Included in this nearly six hour, two DVD set is Dr. Peters’ lecture about the horse’s brain that includes the most up-to-date information available, offering insights into their behavior and ways to understand them more fully.
Jim Masterson, founder of The Masterson Method®, demonstrates the positive effects equine bodywork has on brain function, and internationally renowned horseman Mark Rashid shows how to help calm a worried horse and maintain calmness in potentially stressful situations.
Also included: Dr. Peters dissects a horse brain and discusses each region and its function, as well as Dr. Peters, Jim, Mark and special guest, Spencer LaFlure (founder of Natural Balance Dentistry) answer questions from the audience.
Order before January 20, 2020 to receive the two DVD set for our special pre-order price of $139.99.
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Price: $150.00
Pre-Order Price: $139.99
Ships January 20th, 2020
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Masterson Method Equine Specialist
(MMES) Program News
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They Just Keep Coming!
Congratulations Certified Masterson Method Equine Specialists!
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Amelia Nalli - Culver City, CA
...
Amelia volunteers at the Shoestring Stables in Lakewood, California and at the Duchess Sanctuary in Oregon, donating massage hours to horses that have been rescued. This method works so well on all interactions with horses, even when a horse cannot be physically touched. Getting certified in The Masterson Method Equine Specialist program has deepened her understanding of the horse's response to pressure and discovered new ways of connecting to less privileged equines and the people who care for them
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Andrea London - Bonita Springs, FL
My love of horses began as a child - collecting Breyer models and reading Marguerite Henry books. My first opportunity to ride was when I was 42 years old - and I was hooked!… I took my first jump at age 52…. I am now in FL and my 20 year old mare is retired in MO and my 23 year old gelding is taking it easy after foundering last year. So I changed my focus from riding to interacting with these amazing animals in a different way. I was delighted to discover The Masterson Method…. My plan is to volunteer at equine therapy programs and enrich those horses' lives as mine has been enriched by the horses I have had the privilege to own.
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Fawn Blohm - Baton Rouge, LA
After years in a lab coat with beaker and pipette in hand, horses found me and captured my mind and heart. This new equine love started me on a wonderful journey, moving out of the science lab and, eventually, partnering with horses to help people…. While sharing the healing power of horses, one thing that remains with me is the need to give back to the horse---these creatures who give so much unconditionally.
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About MMES
The Masterson Method Equine Specialist specializes in sharing specific light touch Masterson Method techniques with persons served in equine-assisted learning and therapy programs. By doing this bodywork on horses, participants deepen their connection with horses while also gaining self-awareness and self-regulation skills; meanwhile, therapy horses are tended to through simple bodywork and learn a new way of relating to people. It's a win/win!
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Question:
I have been following your DVD for around a year now. I have been working on any horse I can get my hands on and teaching the owners about your methods. It is very enjoyable. So much so I am now looking to become a therapist, and hope to one day attend a clinic or certification program.
What is the horse telling you when they look in the opposite direction? Meaning they turn their head away like they are looking at something? Is it a guarded response? Thank you. I have been riding 20 years and this has made me closer to these animals than ever. I can’t wait to learn more. Ashley
Answer:
I’m glad you’re getting changes in the horse through watching the video. I hope you can attend a seminar or course someday soon. If you’re getting results from the video, some hands-on help will really get you going.
Regarding the horse turning his head away, you may have noticed that some horses release easier than others. Some are uncomfortable showing release responses, and hold them back until you are done and step away, or even leave the stall. I often see horses turn their heads away just before they release. As you noticed, they are guarding their response. If you just stay with what you are doing, they will usually release soon after turning away. Those are the easy ones!
I was working on a horse this winter that refused to yawn. I continued working on him as I knew he was releasing huge amounts of tension, but was almost clamping his jaw to keep from yawning, or even licking and chewing. Finally, he walked over to where I had draped his blanket on the stall door, stuck his head under the blanket, and yawned about 5 times.
My theory (the world according to Jim) is that, for survival reasons, horses are genetically programmed to hide weakness or pain, as those will be the ones picked out by the predator. That is why it is so difficult to evaluate lameness in many horses. This behavior even extends even to signs of submission, as they are always working out the pecking order among the herd.
Horses that are very strong survivors don’t want to show the releases. Sometimes you have to step way back out of their space, or wait until you leave the stall to get the release responses. They are still releasing the tension, but just haven’t processed it fully.
~Jim
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Masterson Minute: The Rugby Down And Forward Technique
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New Certified Practitioners
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Karin Saxe
Egestorf, Germany
Like probably most girls my dream was to have a horse of my own. This came true at the age of 29. With the help of my wonderful trainers Egon Neumann (FN trainer and judge), Katja von Rönne (FN trainer and Grand Prix rider) and David de Wispelaere (American Grand Prix rider) all having in common focusing on the horses’ welfare and achieving the utmost harmony and balance with the horse, I achieved M** placements (Intermediate) in dressage. Additionally, I successfully performed the German trainer A certification.
Supporting and training our two daughters my husband Walter and I are now closely connected to the eventing scene.
I got in contact with The Masterson Method® through my husband Walter with whom I exchanged first experiences in his bodywork with horses. In November 2015 I took the chance to participate in a clinic with Jim and was so impressed by his empathetic way to approach horses and their potential problems. The next advance course with him in May 2016 in the UK brought real change into my life, as I found out that by tuning into the horse with all these refined techniques you can really help the horses by having such a deep effect on muscles and soul. This intensive contact with the horse overwhelmed me and I dived into the fieldwork and continued this wonderful journey while also becoming more and more confident in what I was doing. In October 2018 I was certified in the UK and since then I am still enthusiastic about what you can achieve for the horse by applying The Masterson Method®.
Phone: ++49-171-676-8008
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Kathy Tow
Cohutta, GA
I have loved horses since my very first breath. Realizing that my passion was not going away, my parents finally bought my first horse for me, at age 13; a 6-month old colt that I raised and trained myself using gentle techniques. I have always believed that building trust and treating a horse with respect makes him a partner, not just an object with which to achieve goals. After taking time away from horses to raise my daughter, I acquired a new horse and began competing in endurance in 1989. In 1994, when my endurance horse tied up, I felt the need to learn massage to help relax his muscles and became a trained Equine Sports Massage Therapist. While working with endurance horses at rides, I saw the need for a method of bodywork that could release the deeper muscles, not just the superficial ones… which is what led me to The Masterson Method®. This is the only method that can facilitate the release of tension using the nervous system. I have been blessed with the ability to connect with animals on a deeper level of communication and it shows in my sessions. I work with horses of all ages in all disciplines. Whether your horse is a weekend trail horse or top-level competitor, every horse can benefit from bodywork!
I work with the therapy horses at Tri-State Therapeutic Riding Center, in Cleveland TN, to help their bodies deal with the demands of keeping their riders balanced and safe♡. I serve the SE Tennessee, N Georgia area. I also travel for shows and endurance rides to help your equine partner feel and perform their best!
Phone: 423-802-8026
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Weekend Seminar-Workshop Schedule
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USA Seminars
Australia & New Zealand Seminars
Israel Seminars
*Note this is a Thursday-Friday course
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Europe Seminars
March 7-8, 2020 (taught in German)
March 14-15, 2020
March 21-22, 2020 (taught in German)
April 18-19, 2020 (taught in German)
taught by Jim Masterson
taught by Jim Masterson
June 13-14, 2020 (taught in German)
August 15-16, 2020
(taught in German)
October 3-4, 2020
(taught in German)
October 24-25, 2020
(taught in German)
Canada Seminars
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Masterson Method Equine Specialist Training
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Friday, April 3 - Sunday, April 5, 2020
Friday, May 29 - Sunday, May 31, 2020
Friday, October 16 - Sunday, October 18, 2020
Monday, July 13 - Wednesday, July 15, 2020
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Masterson Method Collaborative Clinics
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Considering the Horse - Mind and Body
Collaborative Clinic with Mark Rashid and Jim Masterson
February 7-9, 2020 at Horse Sense Training
April 6-8, 2020 at Blue Dot Farm
April 24-26, 2020
July 8-10, 2020 at Happy Dog Ranch
Your Horse's Brain: A User's Manual with
Dr. Steve Peters, Mark Rashid and Jim Masterson
July 11-12, 2020 at Happy Dog Ranch
*Auditing is available, see link above for more information.
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Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule
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USA Advanced Courses
Europe Advanced Courses
*Note this is a Wednesday to Sunday course.
June 22-26, 2020
Brochów, PL
with
Beata Filonowicz
(taught in Polish)
Canada Advanced Courses
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Certification Completion Course Schedule
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Monday, February 3 - Tuesday, February 4
Wednesday, February 5 - Thursday, February 6
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Des Moines, IA
Brockenhurst, UK
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Masterson Equine Services
641-472-1312
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