October 2026 Equine Newsletter | | |
Hey Everyone - Natalie here (again). I'll bet you are wondering about this.
Let me explain....
Recent text conversation between Jim and Natalie...
Jim: Hypothetical question. What if say for some reason the normal author of the first part of the newsletter wasn’t able to do it because he’s still getting ready for the hypothetical clinic coming up?
Natalie: Hypothetically, you’ll be held ransom for mucho $$ to have someone else write said part! 😈
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Jim: Just arrived at Mane Gait Equestrian in Natural Bridge, VA getting ready for the Hand in Hand Clinic with Patrick King
Natalie: So are you there hypothetically, or are you REALLY there? And who is writing the newsletter? Hypothetically or really? Oh - I know - only the SHADOW knows! 🦹♀️
Jim: Good guess, Natalie “The Shadow” Lerch !
Just so you know - this is sometimes how we work - fluid, but within the guidelines!
So here we go!
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Hand in Hand Clinic with Patrick King and Jim Masterson
Photos are provided to prove Jim is alive and kicking. But no horses were injured (or kicked) at the clinic!
| | It looks like a beautiful day (on arrival) and a beautiful location. I helped on Saturday (answering questions online about The Masterson Method) and had a chance to watch Patrick demo Hand in Hand techniques, as well as working with students. Then I watched Jim do a demo and work with the students. It looked like everyone had a great time. Patrick's sense of humor is very much like Jim's - they both create a fun atmosphere where students are unafraid to try, practice and improve. | | If you missed this opportunity, I imagine we'll do this again next year. In the meantime, you can check out Patrick's website, the Masterson Method website for free educational videos, and Horseclass, where courses by Patrick and Jim are offered. | | |
Advanced 5-Day Courses - end of year activity
Those of you who have taken a Weekend Course, or those who watch our calendar of courses, may wonder why we seem to have fewer Advanced 5-Day Courses. The 5-Day courses take a lot more organization, more horses, several barns in a 30 mile radius, more assistants and a lot more time from the Instructor. The rewards of attending end up being a lot more as well! You, and the horses you work with, have more time... to assimilate the techniques, develop a relationship, and slow down to listen to each other.
With that being said, we have a few Advanced 5-Day Courses with openings yet this year... you might want to check these out and see if they fit into your schedule. The next courses will be in February and March in our warmer-weather states - not until March or April for northern states and Canada. Check out the full list on our Advanced Course page.
November 2-6 Portola Valley/San Jose, CA with Sandy Vreeburg
November 2-6 Manor, TX with Becky Tenges
December 4-8 Tucson, AZ with Vanessa Helvey
| | Here's an invitation from Vanessa - "Come enjoy some winter sunshine and deepen your knowledge of the Masterson Method!" (Maybe I should take her up on that!) | | "Great body position - and look at the relaxed expression of the horse!" | | "I love the way Vanessa is supporting the horse's foot/leg with her elbows on her knees (and protecting her back). These are things you practice in the Advanced 5-Day Course!" | | |
A response from September Newsletter
"Hi - I had a real good time at the weekend course but I would like to see a weekend with someone working on a horse that is not cooperating or has been abused and rescued or just plain rank."
I think every person working with horses has had the experience where the horse seems to just NOT be in the mood! Sometimes this happens while riding, doing groundwork, grooming, being taken out to pasture - or brought in from pasture (or teaching a course/doing a demo).
So what do we do when trying to do bodywork? Here's a quick list of things to try - I'm sure Jim could be more succinct, but only The Shadow knows where he is at the moment (hypothetically, that is)!
- Soften - first yourself (take a breath, release your shoulders, soften your hand).
- Soften your pressure - go from grape to egg yolk, or egg yolk to air gap, to 8 inches air gap. Look away from the horse, drink some water, take notes.
- Go to the other side - even if you started where you thought it would be easiest.
- Try a different technique - move to something else and come back.
- Go to the other end of the horse - if starting in the front, go to hind end points.
- If the horse wants to move - let them move! Horses are grazing animals and may need to move a bit in order to release restriction. Often times, when they are allowed to move, they stop!
- Do Less - less is more, so maybe you've done enough for the day.
Granted, it's more difficult in a course situation where Instructors are trying to teach you all the techniques - and sometimes the horses just need a break. But if you are at home and working with your horses or horses you know, you have more flexibility. Listen to the horse, take a break, and come back another day. The horse will benefit with whatever you can do!
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Less is More!
I think that's enough from me at the moment. Jim (and I) will check in again with you next month. So, until then...enjoy your horses!
Hypothetically yours,
The Shadow and "Tumbelina" (she tumbles a lot!)
(aka Natalie and her foster kitten, Buttercup)
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The Horse Behind A Coat Full of Dreams
Most horse people have one.
The horse who changes what you thought was possible. The horse who teaches you more than you expected. The horse whose story becomes intertwined with your own.
For my friend Anita Parra, that horse is Sterling, a horse I have had the pleasure of knowing myself.
A Coat Full of Dreams is a beautifully illustrated rhyming story inspired by the real-life partnership between Anita and her Irish Sport Horse, Sterling.
Anita brought Sterling home when he was just eighteen months old. Seventeen years and counting, their partnership has taken them through eventing, dressage, working equitation, driving, and countless quieter moments together.
As Sterling matured, his coat gradually changed from chestnut to rose gray to shimmering white. In A Coat Full of Dreams, that changing coat becomes a reflection of something much deeper: the years shared between a horse and the person who loves him.
Told in Sterling’s voice and illustrated with original artwork by award-winning equine artist Jean Abernethy, the book is written for children, but its message will be familiar to anyone who understands the kind of relationship that can grow between a horse and his person.
After reading Anita and Sterling’s story, I wrote: “To know Sterling and Anita is to know how real and true this story is. It’s not a fantasy for adults and children. It’s something that’s open to anyone whose commitment to their horse is strong enough to bring about their horse’s commitment to them. How do we know this is true? It’s true because Sterling tells us so.”
A coat that lightens. A bond that deepens.
A Coat Full of Dreams will be available in mid-October through Stellar Sterling Press.
For children, and for anyone who has ever loved a horse.
Preorder and learn more at StellarSterlingPress.com
It's never too early to shop for the Holidays!
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Jim Rushing, MMCP, ACAAB!
"After a rigorous but immensely rewarding journey, I’ve achieved board certification from the Animal Behavior Society (ABS) as an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) – a mouthful, I know! ABS is the premier professional organization for the study of animal behavior, with members including distinguished equine researchers, such as Sue McDonnell, PhD, founder of the Havemeyer Equine Behavior Research Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. ABS board certification requires an MSc or PhD in animal behavior or a closely related field, presentation of research at an annual ABS meeting, and structured casework supervision by a full (PhD) ABS member.
In September 2020, I entered the MSc Clinical Animal Behavior (CAB) program at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, which was an incredible learning experience. I graduated with Distinction in 2024. My dissertation, conducted at Stanford University’s Red Barn, focused on equine relaxation and examined horses’ behavioral and physiological responses to grooming and massage compared to rest. I’m deeply grateful to Sandy Vreeburg, who assisted me and performed Masterson Method sessions on each subject horse. My study was recognized by the university as a “Highly Commended Thesis.”
I presented this research at the 2025 ABS annual meeting in Baltimore, MD, a humbling opportunity to meet leading equine researchers and see the breadth of behavioral research happening across species. I then spent eight months under the structured supervision of Robin Foster, PhD, an ABS board-certified CAAB who has written extensively on conditioned fear in horses and equine learning principles for veterinary practice.
Throughout my studies, I found that the guiding principles of The Masterson Method align closely with the ethical, evidence-based protocols taught in the MSc CAB program. I integrate MM into every behavior case I work with. The MM principles, including softness, waiting, yielding, and 'change yourself or what you are doing', remain central to how I work with horses and their humans."
Congratulations to Jim from the Masterson Method community!
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First Masterson Method Weekend Course in Slovenia!
"Masterson instructor Lucie Klaassen was invited by Živa Logar and Tatjana to teach a Masterson Method Weekend Course and a groundwork clinic. They run ‘Rock Ranch’ together with 28 horses, most of them are rescue horses. This was a great combination to teach people how to help the horses release tension and build strength and flexibility.
With 12 enthusiastic participants it was a full course so fortunately MMCP Wendy Oude Middendorp came along to assist."
Great job, Lucie and Wendy!
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The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day on October 10th was “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” The idea behind this is the importance of listening to the experiences of people living with mental health conditions and how they can help shape support services and treatment.
With both this and Veterans Day coming up on November 11th, it’s a good time to revisit this blog from Tina Peratino, Masterson Method Equine Specialist, who writes about her experience leading a workshop for veterans who are part of an equine-assisted therapy program. Veterans learned the Bladder Meridian technique with the horses they work alongside.
Tina describes how the veterans responded, and what it meant to offer care to the horses who support them.
“Last month, I had the honor of traveling to Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) in Ocala, Florida to lead a Withers and Wellness for Warriors workshop—an experience rooted in slowing down, being present, and offering care not just to people, but to the horses who serve them.”
| | Recognized Host and Barn for MM Courses | | |
Honey Cowan and Healing Pastures at "C" Horse Ranch
"For more than 30 years, Honey Cowan has devoted her life to the belief that horses have an incredible ability to help people heal, grow, and reconnect. From her earliest work with at-risk youth to founding the non-profit, Healing Pastures in 2013, Honey has built her work around compassion, connection, and the well-being of both horse and human. Her dedication to understanding and honoring what horses communicate has become an essential part of her work, creating a lifelong legacy of connection, healing, and partnership between people and animals."
Kalin Finsand, Instructor of Equine and Canine Courses, MMCP Equine/Canine
Photo: Honey and Kalin
| | Trick or Treat? Horse Cookie Recipe | |
Candy Corn Pumpkin Horse Muffin
from Schneider's Saddlery
These Candy Corn Pumpkin Horse Muffins are super SIMPLE to make. All you need is a mixing bowl, baking pan, oats, molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin puree, and candy corn!
This recipe takes 20-30 minutes to make, so you will have plenty of time to be at the barn.
You'll Need:
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Pan
- 18oz - Oats
- ½ cup - Molasses
- ½ cup - Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon - Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon - Nutmeg
- 1 can - Pumpkin Puree
- Candy Corn
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl*
- Spoon out evenly sized balls onto a baking sheet
- Bake for 15 minutes at 375
*If the mixture is runny, add more molasses to thicken.
Note: If your horse is insulin resistant, substitute the ingredients with low sugar alternatives.
| | Newly Certified Practitioners | | |
Need help for your horse? Find a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner Equine (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 Equine to your horse’s wellness team by visiting the Masterson Method Website to find the closest practitioner to you.
You will find New Practitioners listed here as well as a few who are updating their information. Let us know if you need help finding an MMCP in your area.
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Elizabeth Harrup, MMCP
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
For 32 years, my professional life was dedicated to education, specializing in Braille transcription, guided sight for visually impaired students, and supporting students with special needs. In this career, I learned the profound art of deep listening, heightened tactile awareness, and interpreting subtle, non-verbal communication.
Along the way, I developed a budding passion for horses, becoming a dedicated rider over the last decade. Upon retiring, I knew I wanted to channel my lifelong skills into a new calling. My deep love for horses naturally led me to The Masterson Method® Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork.
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Hannah Kruise, MMCP
Florence, Italy
I’m Hannah, and I’m proud to be Italy’s first Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP).
After completing the full international certification, I now offer The Masterson Method® sessions for horses across Tuscany and beyond.
I believe horses are always talking—we just have to learn to listen. Their story is written in the way they move, the way they hold themselves, and in the quiet responses they offer when we take the time to pay attention. That’s what I love most about The Masterson Method®: the horse is an active participant, guiding each session through its own subtle responses.
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Margriet Kalmann, MMCP
Elspeet, Gelderland, Netherlands
From the age of seven I’ve been involved with ponies and horses. When I was 23, I bought my first horse, Alma. I used to ride dressage up to Prix St. Georges/Intermediaire I, and for some time I also served as a dressage judge. Nowadays I do trail rides with my horse, and we both enjoy it!
Vanaf mijn 7e jaar ben ik al bezig met pony’s en paarden. Op mijn 23e kocht ik mijn eerste eigen paard, Alma. Ik heb voorheen dressuur gereden tot en met de Prix St George/Intermediaire 1. Ook ben ik enige tijd dressuurjury geweest. De laatste 15 jaar rijd ik recreatief, genietend van buiten rijden in het bos.
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Megan Land, MMCP
Powers, Michigan
Megan Land, owner of Stillpoint Equine, is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner serving horses and their people throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin. A lifelong horsewoman, Megan got her first horse at four years old and has spent much of her life riding, caring for, and learning from horses. Her own riding interests have evolved over the years and currently include dressage and trail riding.
Outside of the horse world, Megan is a board certified Nurse Practitioner with more than a decade of experience in acute care medicine. Her background in healthcare has given her a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and clinical problem solving, as well as an appreciation for how interconnected the body can be. She brings that same curiosity to her work with horses while respecting the important distinction between veterinary medicine and the role of an equine bodyworker.
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Savannah Nelson, MMCP
Sumter, South Carolina
Horses have always been at the heart of Savannah’s life. After catching the “horse bug” at a young age, she devoted herself to learning everything she could about horses, spending countless hours training and expanding her knowledge. Her journey began with Off-the-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), helping them transition from racing careers into successful riding horses. Through years of riding, showing, and working with these incredible athletes, Savannah developed a passion for helping every horse reach its full potential. Inspired by her own young OTTB, Winston Equestrian LLC was born.
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Stacie Hamilton-Waldron, MMCP
Yarmouth, Maine
As a young girl, I was deeply sensitive to the well-being of animals. That early connection became a thread woven throughout my life, eventually leading me back to the work I was meant to do.
After volunteering for over a decade and a half at a therapeutic horseback riding program. I have found a meaningful marriage between supporting individuals with diverse physical and cognitive challenges and in caring for horses that help make their healing possible. Again, and again, I witnessed the profound connection between horse and human. The quiet generosity of horses who give so much of themselves. I felt called to give back to these horses.
After attending The Masterson Method® Weekend Course, then the Masterson Method Advanced 5-Day Course, I decided to complete the certification pathway. It has been a meaningful journey to equine bodywork.
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Sylvia Kesselaar, MMCP
Leidschendam, Netherlands
Al vanaf mijn jongste jaren ben ik te vinden tussen de paarden. Als klein meisje droomde ik al van paarden in uitgestrekte weilanden. Het gedrag van paarden, zowel individueel als in kuddes, heeft me altijd gefascineerd. Die passie leidde me uiteindelijk naar een opleiding in psychologie van paarden.
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Yuki Tano, MMCP
Tuckahoe, New York
Yuki Tano is a Japanese-born Masterson Method® Certified Practitioner Equine based in Westchester, New York. After more than 25 years in the United States, she is returning to Japan.
Her interest in equine bodywork began in grade school after watching a documentary about a massage therapist working with racehorses. The idea of helping horses in this way stayed with her for years.
| | | Newly Certified Equine Specialists | | |
Our Masterson Method Certified Equine Specialists have worked through an abbreviated certification program designed to be accessible and relevant for equine-assisted services (EAS) professionals and volunteers. The MMES can volunteer to offer simple bodywork to EAS horses and/or partner with their EAS program to co-facilitate a new equine-assisted learning activity, such as the Bladder Meridian Technique, as a means for participants to “give back to the horse” while also creating connection.
Follow this link to search for Specialists in your area: MMES Map
Have questions? Check out our course page here: Equine Specialist Course
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Diala Gallant, MMES
Burke, Virginia
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I am a licensed K–12 Art Teacher and Art Therapy Teacher in the state of Virginia. I first learned about the Masterson Method Equine Specialist (MMES) through an equine-assisted center in my local community.
During a demonstration session facilitated by a mental health therapist who works at the center and is also a certified MMES, I was introduced to The Masterson Method® for the first time. I immediately connected with the process and, most importantly, with what it offered the horses.
Watching the horses respond during the session was an incredibly meaningful experience. I witnessed subtle changes and releases that seemed almost magical—the horses appeared to let go of tension and become more relaxed and comfortable.
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"This course was amazing! So much to take away and unpack. It’s a big wow! Your horses will be grateful you did this."
Weekend Course Student Testimonial
All Weekend Courses
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USA 2026/2027 Courses
West
October 24-25 Sedalia, CO
November 7-8, 2026 Gilroy, CA
December 12-13 Garden Valley, CA
January 30-31, 2027 Lake View Terrace, CA
February 20-21, 2027 San Jose, CA
Southwest
December 12-13 Tucson, AZ
January 30-31, 2027 Cave Creek, AZ
Midwest
(check back for upcoming courses)
Northeast
April 17-18, 2027 Circleville, NY
Southeast
October 17-18 Youngsville, NC
November 7-8 Leesburg, VA
November 14-15 Cleveland, TN
December 5-6 Youngsville, NC
December 12-13 Leesburg, VA
February 20-21, 2027 Williston, FL
March 20-21, 2027 Leesburg, VA
Canada 2026/2027 Courses
British Columbia
October 17-18 Langley, BC
Alberta
June 26-27, 2027 Calgary, AB
September 25-26, 2027 Calgary, AB
Ontario
(check back for upcoming courses)
Quebec
(check back for upcoming courses)
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European 2026/2027 Courses
Austria
March 20-21, 2027 Oberhausen, AT
(in German and English)
Czech Republic
November 28-29 Peruc, CZ
(in Czech)
France
(check back for upcoming courses)
Germany
(check back for upcoming courses)
Netherlands
October 24-25 Vorden, NL
(in Dutch)
Poland
(check back for upcoming courses)
Switzerland
(check back for upcoming courses)
United Kingdom
(check back for upcoming courses)
Australia 2026 Courses
Australia
October 30-31 Tynong, VIC, AU
New Zealand
November 20-21 Christchurch, CAN, NZ
Africa 2027 Courses
South Africa
(check back for upcoming courses)
Asia 2026/2027 Courses
Israel
(check back for upcoming courses)
Japan
December 5-6 Chiba, JP
(in Japanese)
March 17-18, 2027 Saitama, JP
(in Japanese)
| | Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule | | |
"This course is so enlightening for all horsemen. It will give you an insight into what the horse is holding inside. These techniques give the best results and releases. Your horse will thank you!!"
Advanced 5-Day Course Student Testimonial
All Advanced 5-Day Courses
USA 2026/2027 Advanced Courses
November 2-6 Portola Valley/San Jose, CA with Sandy Vreeburg
November 2-6 Manor, TX with Becky Tenges
November 11-15 Wake Forest, NC with Khrystynna Hunsinger
December 4-8 Tucson, AZ with Vanessa Helvey
February 8-12, 2027 Tucson, AZ with Vanessa Helvey
March 29-April 2, 2027 Williston, FL with Alice Long
April 12-16, 2027 Watsonville, CA with Sandy Vreeburg
Canada 2027 Advanced Courses
May 17-21, 2027 Calgary, AB with Lori Hoppe
September 13-17, 2027 Chilliwack, BC with Lori Hoppe
Australia & New Zealand 2026 Advanced Courses
November 2-6 Baddaginnie, VIC, AU with Emma Young
November 23-27 Christchurch, CAN, NZ with Emma Young
European 2027 Advanced Courses
April 14-18, 2027 Oberhausen, AT with Mitra Trop & Hans-Michael Schöbinger
(in German and English)
June 2-6, 2027 Schalkhaar, NL with Masja Fick (in Dutch)
UK 2027 Advanced Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
| | Masterson Method Light to the Core Schedule | | |
"Go for it!! Best clinic I have ever done."
Light to the Core Course Student Testimonial
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USA 2027 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
UK 2027 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
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Canada 2026/2027 Courses
October 24-25 Cedar Valley, ON
October 16-17, 2027 Langley, BC
European 2027 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
| | Masterson Method Equine Specialist Schedule | | |
"This course is a way to give back to the horses, but as the human experience it has been incredibly helpful in being more mindful and grounded and getting to share that with an amazing creature is a beautiful experience."
Equine Specialist Course Student Testimonial
USA 2026 Courses
February 26-28, 2027 Liberty Hill, TX
Canada 2027 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
European 2027 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
| | Masterson Method Collaborative Clinics | | Masterson Method Expos and Demos | | |
USA and European 2027 Expos & Demos
Jim's Expos and Demonstrations
(check back for upcoming Expos)
MMCP Equine Demonstrations
(check back for upcoming Demos)
| | Newly Certified Canine Practitioners | | Our Canine Certified Practitioners are dedicated professionals who have acquired highly attuned skills in partnering with the dog to release tension and increase range of motion, thereby restoring healthy movement and overall comfort. Add an MMCP Canine to your dog’s wellness team by visiting the Masterson Method Website (top right corner of home page) and look for the link to find a Certified Practitioner Canine near you. | | |
Karen Whitfield, MMCP Canine
Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
Karen is passionate about dogs and horses and holds a deep commitment to improving their welfare. Originally from the UK, Karen emigrated to Australia in 2002 to live in Queensland. Karen is a registered counsellor and Equine Assisted Psychotherapist.
Karen was introduced to The Masterson Method® in 2023 and went on to complete the training to become a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner Equine (MMCP Equine). She then went on to complete the training to become a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner Canine.
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Shannon McBride, MMCP Canine
Athens, Georgia
My journey to the Masterson Method® began with an aging canine friend named Roscoe. I wanted to do what I could to help him in between his monthly chiropractic treatments during the last year or two of his life. This exploration led to becoming fully certified as an MMCP Equine, and now MMCP Canine.
My lifelong affinity for critters and all living things has taken many turns. Hiking and horse camp as a child evolved into working at a Raptor Rehabilitation Center in Ohio and studying wildlife management in Kenya as an undergraduate.
| | | Masterson Method Canine Courses | | |
"It is so easy to be in a rush day to day, not really noticing all the little subtle things. This course has helped me interpret Snacks on a deeper level, which is just incredible."
Canine Course Student Testimonial
Read and Release 2026/2027 Course Dates
Fridays at 11:00 am CT October 16, 23, 30 with Kalin Finsand
Mondays at 3:00 pm CT November 9, 16, 23 with Leslie Kennedy
Sundays at 9:00 am CT January 10, 17, 24, 2027 with Leslie Kennedy
Introducing Movement 2026/2027 Course Dates
Fridays at 11:00 am CT November 6, 13, 20 with Amelia Nalli
Tuesdays at 11:00 am CT December 1, 8, 15 with Kalin Finsand
Saturdays at 11:00 am CT February 6, 13, 20, 2027 with Amelia Nalli
All courses are scheduled in Central Time Zone, occur on Zoom and last approximately 2 hours. If a course is sold out, send a message to dog@mastersonmethod.com to add your name to the waiting list.
Not seeing a course that fits your schedule yet? No worries - we are adding courses all the time, so please check our website periodically to see what new opportunities await!
| | Masterson Method Office Info | |
THE MASTERSON METHOD®
641-472-1312
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