Hello All,
Scotland
Sitting in the car on the way to a Weekend Seminar in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Sitting in the left seat, but not driving. Strange people these English (not really).
This is the last Weekend Seminar of what’s been a very good trip. We’ll be at Mark and Morag Higgins’
Ross Dhu Equestrian Centre in the village of Larkhall near Glasgow. Mark and Morag combine the principles of aikido into their horsemanship training. Their Equido program is the only government recognized qualification in natural horsemanship in Scotland.
Not surprisingly, Mark and Morag are friends with Mark Rashid and Crissi McDonald, who will be joining us this weekend and will be teaching one of their Aibado clinics afterward. Crissi, who is now a Masterson Method Instructor, will be helping with our Seminar this weekend before she goes back to the states.
England, Certification, and the Queen
We had a final certification course of 13 students from the UK, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Norway here last week. They have completed their training and are now Masterson Method Certified Practitioners. Congratulations!
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I was especially proud of Ian Whiting, an anything-but-disabled veteran. Ian participated in a Monty Roberts Horse Sense and Healing clinic two years ago, at which he discovered that horses could get him connected back with himself and going in a positive direction. Ian then attended a MM Weekend Seminar, an Advanced 5-Day Course, and dove straight into the Field Work Course. One year later he’s now a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner… and a good one.
To set the stage for the next part of the story (the plot thickens), we’ve been teaching part of the Advanced 5-Day Course here in Oxfordshire at Ian Vandenberg’s Hartsop Farm. Ian’s involved in charity work for children, and hosts Monty Roberts clinics when he’s in England.
Well, it turns out that
Monty Roberts
is in England now, and I was a little miffed when he nicked (bothered when he stole) Ian from our course for a day. I
was miffed, until I found out that Monty, accompanied by Ian and 5 other veterans, were on a private visit to have tea with the Queen, and to do a demonstration of “join up” with Monty. Ian made a point of wearing his brand-new Masterson Method Certified Practitioner shirt during his demonstration, and spoke with the Queen about how his journey with horses has led him to this.
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During the visit Ian also shared his story with the commander of the Welsh Guard, and of his desire to work on military horses and to share The Masterson Method with other veterans. The gentleman was very interested in Ian’s story and told Ian he would set him up to work on the Welsh Guard’s “war horses”.
So, how cool is that? We’ll be keeping an eye on Ian.
Bladder Meridian Bragging Rights
This trip we also taught 20 students in two Advanced 5-Day Courses, many of whom have already signed up for Field Work, and 32 students in two Weekend Seminars, some of whom have already signed up for Advanced 5-Day Courses. We worked on over 130 horses during this trip. If all of the Advanced 5-Day Course students sign up for Field Work, they will work on over 300 horses during Field Work. I think we have nearly two hundred students in the Field Work program now. When they finish, they will have worked on over 1500 horses. They will then join the close to 300 (plus or minus) MMCPs who worked on over 6000 horses to get there, and who have been out there working on horses since. Plus, 30 Instructors in the U.S. and overseas bringing new students into the Bladder Meridian pipeline every year.
So, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization there are over 58 million horses in the world. If we can collectively do approximately 1,231 horses a year (conservative estimate) with what we have now, then we will have reached that goal in about (I’m getting a headache)… after the next ice age.
BUT, if you factor in exponential growth due to a proportional addition of new Practitioners every year, plus YOUR efforts in doing the Bladder Meridian on each and every horse you see, (and factoring in global warming) I think we could be on our way to attaining our modest goal well before the next ice age!
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On top of that, I’m happy that we were able to work on the horses at two of the racing yards we’ve worked on in the past, Mark Rimell, and Shaun Lycett Racing. It’s nice to be able to visit some of the same horses again to see how they’re coming along. Relationship is everything. All doing well!
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Considering the Horse- Mind and Body
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What I still like about these clinics is the education that Mark and I get when we get together with a new horse, and that the auditors get with us as we get it. Six horses were there to teach us in this collaboration, and Mark and I each worked with another five or six individually. Awesome!
I was able to hook up with a lot of our UK and Europe students, MMCPs and Instructors while here to plot and plan our takeover of the continent.
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The guys got to hang out too. Mark Rashid, student and horse trainer Michael Dold from Germany, horse trainer Dan Wain, and Jim
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While at the clinic I was also able to meet Elaine Heney, founder of
Grey Pony Films. Elaine is a producer of equestrian films whose vision is to help horse owners become beautiful horse riders by listening to their horses. Masterson Method was featured in her documentary movie “Listening to the Horse” along with other like-minded trainers and horse people. She’s offering an interesting
14-day challenge on her website that gives you glimpse of this film. She does beautiful work, and I hope to do more with her.
What’s Next!
Last Seminar starts tomorrow, then a day in Edinburgh with friends, then home for a week or so before
Equine Affaire in Massachusetts. Then back for a few days before a
Weekend Seminar in Sydney, Australia, a Weekend Seminar and
Equitana in New Zealand, an
Advanced 5-Day Course and Certification in Melbourne, Certification and a
Weekend Seminar in South Africa, and home again. A lot of commuting, I know, but was home almost all summer so I can’t complain too much. Also a lot of Bladder Meridians, and it helps to have a wife who’s passionate about horses and a trooper!
Until next time, like me,
Enjoy your horses!
Jim
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Biggest Bladder Meridian Challenge Yet
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You've helped us reach horses all over the world. For the last 2 years we've had a Bladder Meridian Challenge in the fall. This year we'd like to make it the biggest reach yet!
Help us share the Bladder Meridian Technique with horses all over the world, starting in your backyard!
Jim has a goal that all horses in the world can experience the Bladder Meridian Technique and the release of tension that it brings.
Help us share this amazing gift with horses all over the world!
In the past we have reached 12 countries and 400 horses in the 2 week challenge. Help us expand our reach this year!
Our goal is 1000 horses by November 2nd.
Thank you for helping us spread the Bladder Meridian Technique with people and horses all over the world.
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Congratulations New MMCP's!
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There were a lot of graduating practitioners this summer. We had one large class in Oxfordshire, UK at the beginning of June, followed by two courses in Iowa in June, two more courses in Iowa in September and a large class in Oxforshire, UK this month. That is a lot of awesome, new mmcp’s!!! Watch for their bio’s in upcoming newsletters!
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Oxfordshire CCC June 1, 2019
Asako Miyajima (Japan), Caroline Hébert (France), Christiane Siekmann (Germany), Kristina Hesse (Germany), Mary-Ellen Webb (France), Masja Fick (Netherlands), Miranda van Jaarsveld (South Africa), Nicola Giulianotti (France), Paula Marks (United Kingdom), Ruth Drimer (United Kingdom), Stef Watts (United Kingdom), Victoria Lhôte (France)
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Iowa CCC June 16, 2019
Michael DeAgro (Michigan), Andrea Newman (Utah), Lori Curry-Whitcomb (Illinois), Gina Kuttrus (Colorado), Katie Riley (Kentucky), Jim Rushing (California)
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Monica Farfoglia (Maryland)
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Daniel Bontrager (Colorado)
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Iowa CCC September 18, 2019
Anne Barker (Michigan), Becky Mertens (California), Jennifer Rice (California), Lindsay Madorin (Wyoming)
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Iowa CCC September 20, 2019
Amanda Klucas (Minnesota), Ceiridwen Terrill (Oregon), Deanna Drendel (Canada), Iris Chasteen (North Carolina), JoAnn Zinn (Maryland), Kathy Tow (Georgia), Leia Watkins (Washington), Mary Ann Menetrey (New Mexico)
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Oxfordshire CCC October 12, 2019
Catherine Olliffe (United Kingdom), Constanze Krämer (Germany), Ellis Buis (Netherlands), Hans-Michael Schoebinger (Austria), Helen Jones (Netherlands), Hélène Sigogneau (France), Ian Whiting (United Kingdom), Jo Szegota (United Kingdom), Kimberly Pettit (California), Lee Clatworthy (United Kingdom), Marie Fitzgerald (Ireland), Shana Amalie Toussi (Norway), Stefanie Gottschalk (Germany)
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Masterson Method Equine Specialist
Program News
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MMES Around North America
We are so thrilled to have so many certified Masterson Method Equine Specialists in the USA and Canada. Congratulations to you all! Thank you for bringing this important work to horses in equine-assisted learning or therapy programs, and to the staff, volunteers and program participants who can now give their horses this gift of bodywork. Check out the interactive map at
https://mastersonmethod.com/mmes-map/
.
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Congratulations Recent Specialists!
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Brenda Thompson - Loveland, CO
Brenda is currently teaching at Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center in Loveland, CO and holds an ESMHL certification, which complements and enhances the MMES training. Brenda is on a lifelong learning path and is so grateful for this avenue in her journey to connect horses and humans!
Read more
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Carol McKenna - Fort Collins, CO
Carol has always known the power of having a special connection with a horse but her world opened up when she started volunteering at the Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center in Loveland, CO, after she retired from a high-tech job in 2013. She has seen the tremendous impact that equines can have on youth at risk, veterans, adults and children with physical, cognitive and emotional needs, and the entire volunteer community. She is thrilled to be able to incorporate some of the Masterson Method light touch techniques in the various Hearts & Horses programs and to see how positively the equines respond when participants and volunteers give back to them.
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Nancy Scott - Decatur, GA
Nancy volunteers with the Stride Ahead Equine-Assisted Therapies program in Decatur, GA. The therapy horses are hard workers, and Nancy is thrilled to learn about the Masterson Method (MM) as an effective means to relieve tension and provide relaxation for them. An unexpected outcome of practicing MM bodywork has been the personal benefits experienced ranging from feelings of calmness and being centered, being present, and having a rewarding partnership with horses based on a recognition of their complex body language. Nancy is happy to offer a method that is a WIN-WIN for the horse and the participant.
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Another Great Group of Students in Leesburg, VA
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Many thanks to Katie Fallon and Bridle Paths for hosting their second Masterson Method Equine Specialist training October 4-6, 2019. So wonderful to be back!
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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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The Bladder Meridian Technique
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Here is an excerpt from Jim's newest video, Light to the Core, of Jim teaching The Bladder Meridian Technique.
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New Certified Practitioners
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Masja Fick
Schalkhaar (Netherlands)
My goal in life is to help the horse and owner make progress together. By releasing muscle tension and blockages, the horse becomes looser, happier and stays healthy for longer. This helps the horse and owner as a team to enjoy what they do and perform optimally.
I am a certified osteopath for horses and Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP). I also use cranio-sacral therapy and sports massage techniques.
From my experience I have found that no single form of treatment has the answer to all problems. Different injuries require a different approach and, in addition, every horse is different.
The beauty of the Masterson Method, in my opinion, is the respect for the horse and the interaction with the horse. As a result, even sensitive horses can be treated with complete sessions. The way the method works is fascinating. With only a light touch the deep muscle tensions and blockages are resolved, restoring the horse’s freedom of movement. The horse becomes looser and happier and is able to perform optimally with ease and pleasure.
Happy horse, happy owner! And that's why I do it!
In 2018 I started my own business and since then treating horses has been my full time occupation.
Phone: +31-(0) 620 190 913
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Katie Riley
Lexington, KY
Katie believes horses are our friends and teammates with enormous hearts, and horses that exhibit “bad” behavior and uncooperative attitudes are trying to communicate that something is amiss in their overall well-being. As a Certified Practitioner in The Masterson Method of Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork, Katie’s goal is to foster the partnership and well-being of both horse and rider. Katie has successfully worked with off-the-track thoroughbreds, event, dressage, hunter-jumpers, and mounted archery horses.
As a horse crazy kid with no access to horses due to family circumstances, Katie begged the owner of a nearby horse farm for a job
mucking stalls. Her parents didn’t like how bad she smelled when she came home, but since she could bike to and from the farm, they let her keep the job. That started Katie on a path of working to pay for her horse addiction.
Katie routinely approache
s others for their perspectives
and expertise, and
has worked as a working student
for various dressage and eventing trainers.
Katie discovered The Masterson Method in late 2017 after her long time eventing partner, Harry, developed “attitude problems” and went lame. During Harry’s extended recuperation, a friend gave Katie a copy of Jim Masterson’s book, “Beyond Horse Massage.” After trying the techniques and seeing how enthusiastically Harry responded, Katie signed up for a Weekend Seminar. By the end of the first day of the Seminar, all the horses were calm and soft in their eyes and bodies, and Katie immediately enrolled in the Advanced Practical Course with the intention of pursuing Certification.
The Masterson Method is a cornerstone of Katie’s relationship with her horses, and it informs her training so that it fosters their natural athleticism and grace. You can find
Katie in the beautiful bluegrass of Lexington, Kentucky
, where she focuses her time on her creative writing projects, improving her riding and partnership with her horses, and sharing The Masterson Method.
Phone: 859-229-4230
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Weekend Seminar-Workshop Schedule
* if the course you had your heart set on is sold out, please email
jo@mastersonmethod.com
to be added to the waiting list, or
if you'd like to
host your own
weekend (earn your spot free OR earn the cash equivalent!) please email
tamara@mastersonmethod.com
.
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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
October 19-20
taught by Jim Masterson
October 26-27 (taught in German)
October 26-27 (taught in Polish)
November 2-3 (taught in German)
November 30- December 1
March 7-8, 2020 (taught in German)
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)
South Africa Seminars
taught by Jim Masterson
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
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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
October 28 - November 1
Tucson, AZ with
Vanessa Helvey
Europe Advanced Courses
*Note this is a Wednesday to Sunday course.
Canada Advanced Courses
Australia Advanced Courses
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Certification Completion Course Schedule
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Wednesday, November 20
Saturday, November 30 - Sunday, December 1
Wednesday, December 4 - Friday, December 6
Tuesday, February 4 - Thursday, February 6
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Georgetown, TX
West Springfield, MA
Epsom, New Zealand
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Masterson Equine Services
641-472-1312
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