April 2025 Equine Newsletter | | |
Hello All,
(Warning! This is a long one, so don’t hold your breath!)
We left you last in Cave Creek, Arizona, with Mark Rashid and me stuck to a saguaro cactus. We’re not actually stuck… just doing a corny fake photo to make you think we’re stuck. Sorry about the scare.
Germany
In any case, after pulling the needles from my hand, next stop was Germany for two big events. It’s always fun to get together and, in some cases, meet for the first time our people in Europe... and farther out. We gathered at the equestrian facility on the former grounds of the Schloss Wickrath palace.
This photo is of the residence of the former stud master of the palace, built in 1875 (no stud master jokes, please)…
| | … but our MMCP Gathering was held in the modest indoor arena. | | Keine Sorge! (No worries!) As you can see, we all had a Gut Zeit! (Good time!) | | | Then on to the Equitana Horse Expo in Essen – always a stimulating event. The Expo goes on for seven days, but - for sanity reasons - Instructors Walter Saxe and Vicky Devlin, assisting MMCPs, and I attended for three days of demos and interviews. Fortunately, they have a Guiness booth in the food court. | | |
Netherlands
Then, a drive ALL the way to the Netherlands (about 2 hours) for:
- two bodywork demonstration events,
-
a Weekend Course in the middle of the week with Instructor Masja Fick,
| | - a visit to a maritime museum and shipyard,
| | - and a ride through countryside canals with Swiss Instructor Sue Lienhard and her husband Urs...
| | |
...on their beautiful boat
“Greenhorn”.
| | |
Idaho Horse Expo
Then home and on to Idaho. This was our first time doing the Idaho Horse Expo. Not a large event, but it was very friendly and was very successful for us. Success for us is measured in the number of people talken to. (Note, “talken” is a little-known word from the Middle Ages… or the Mid-west, I can’t remember. Kind of like “boughten”.)
Anyways, we had a lot of people stop to talken to us at our booth. Many had boughten the Beyond Horse Massage book, and the seating at the demos were all full. And they were fun!
| | It was also a lot of fun for me to meet and spend time with our MMCPs and Fieldwork students in Idaho. We gathered for a day of bodywork and questions and answers before the Expo. A bonus was having them there to help, and to visit with people at the expo about bodywork, their horses, and whatever else needed talken about. And, to work on minis at the Expo. It was a week well spenten! | | |
I’d especially like to thank MMCP Patty Hall for her expert help spearheading the Expo and the Gathering at a difficult time. She’s a trooper.
In Between - Collaborations
In between all of the above, I was able to join in on collaborations and podcasts with some pretty (darned) good, like-minded trainers that I’ve been fortunate to work with in the past, and will be working with in the future.
One thread that runs through all of our work is the value of integrating training, groundwork and bodywork to continue to keep the horse supple, fit and balanced. Done properly, they all work together. Below you’ll find links to more information and how to register for the clinics we have coming up.
The Relational Horsemanship Symposium: With Josh Nichol and Jim Masterson in Alberta, Canada, April 29-30, 2025
| | |
Josh Nichol and I met at the Best Horse Practices Summit in Lexington, KY a few years ago, and through Mark Rashid we discovered that we’re pretty much aligned in our work with horses. Josh and I will be doing this symposium together immediately after the Horse Expo Canada in Calgary. Josh and I will be working with horses, the focus being on the inter-relationship between groundwork, riding and bodywork.
By the way, I will have a booth and will be doing demonstrations at Horse Expo Canada, Red Deer, Alberta, April 25-27, so if you want to make a week of it in Calgary, here’s your chance!
Hand in Hand: An Integration of Classical Horsemanship & Bodywork: With Patrick King and Jim Masterson in Natural Bridge, VA, September 12-14 and 15-17
Patrick and I also met for the first time at the Best Horse Practices Summit in Lexington and have since come to realize that we’re on the same page. I also find it interesting how classical principles involved with in-hand work and riding blend so well with the principles we use to help the horse release tension in bodywork. Patrick and I talk about this quite a bit in a podcast we did last month (see below).
Mark Rashid and I have been doing Considering the Horse – Mind and Body Clinics together for years (see Course Calendar below) and will continue for years to come. Last month we also collaborated on a three-part online webinar, Perspectives on Softness and Connection. This is a new and interesting collaboration.
Check it out HERE.
| | |
Head-Shy Horses
I wanted to start focusing in each newsletter on behavioral or performance issues that are commonly found in horses. Behavioral issues are sometimes seen as training issues. But the source of behavioral or performance issues is often physical discomfort or tension. A common example would be head-shyness.
In my experience, 99.9437 percent of the time (approximately : ) consistent head shyness is caused by physical pain or tension in the poll/atlas junction.
How do you tell? If you can easily teach the horse to drop the head and be relaxed in the poll when you put on or remove the bridle or halter, then it is probably a training issue. If it’s difficult to teach the horse to relax when you put on the bridle or halter, or if the horse continues being head shy, then it’s possibly caused by physical discomfort. In this case you want to find a way to help the horse release the tension in the poll. You also want to look into what’s causing or caused the tension in the first place. It could be something that’s going on now; for example, dental issues, sore front feet, and sometimes a very sore back will cause tension on top of the poll; or it could be something that happened in the past, such as pulling back when hard tied, or rearing back in the trailer and hitting the head, or an accident or incident in the past that caused major trauma to the body. The most common thing I come across is the horse having been hard tied and pulling back.
Natalie will be creating a section farther down that talks about common performance issues. I’m not sure what she’s going to call it, but, as coincidence would have it, this month’s topic is head shyness!
Enjoy!
Home
At home now. News here: we’ve got a new horse, Griffin. He’s a very cute and willing little guy that my wife can both ride and drive. Morgan-Welsh Cobb cross, we’re told. He’s a lighter-bodied horse but with good bones and feet, around 8 yrs old, 14-3 hands, and very kind and willing.
| | |
My driving mare, Annabelle, passed away last winter. Her brother and driving partner, Jeremiah, is around 30 now, retired, and has the run - or rather the shuffle - of the place. We let him out to patrol the farm during the day.
He looks on as we work with Griffin, checking to make sure we’re doing it right. So, he still has a purpose in life beyond looking handsome and making us happy.
Until next time, like me,
Enjoy all your horses! Jim
| | | | PS - I had the good fortune to meet and work with Patty Hall’s wonderful horse, Tucker, during our MMCP Gathering just before the Idaho Horse Expo. Patty lost this wonderful horse while the Expo was going on. He was trailered to the vet clinic on the horse park grounds, and she was able to be with him when he passed. Still not easy. | | Words of Wisdom - by Jim! | | |
I thought of calling this section "Knowledge from the Know-It-All" - but Jim doesn't actually claim to know-it-all, although he sure does know-a-lot! And I didn't want to offend any readers even though I enjoy teasing Jim when I have the chance. So if you have a good title for this section, let me know!
Behavior, training and performance issues become entwined and sometimes it is difficult to determine which came first - the "chicken or egg" syndrome. Hopefully, we can explore issues and share ways to help you and your horse here.
If you haven't perused the Resources tab lately on the website, there is a lot of helpful information available. If you can't find what you are looking for, let me know by email at natalie@mastersonmethod.com and we'll see what we can do!
| | Relational Horsemanship Symposium with Josh Nichol | | |
Two of the most sought-after experts in the industry—Jim Masterson and Josh Nichol—are teaming up for a one-of-a-kind, two-day collaborative clinic in Canada’s Alberta province! This event will take place just after the Horse Expo Canada, where Jim will also be a clinician.
Together, Josh and Jim will share game-changing insights into horse movement, body mapping, and practical techniques that could transform your horsemanship journey.
Location: Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada
Date: April 29 & 30, 2025
Ticket Price: $385 CAD (Canadian dollars) plus applicable taxes
| | Hand-in-Hand Symposium with Jim and Patrick King | | |
Jim is teaming up with USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist and all-round great horseman Patrick King, for a 3-day clinic in Natural Bridge, Virginia.
Participating in this clinic means you are getting 3 full days of learning about bodywork and in-hand work with hands-on instruction, coaching, lecture, and support from BOTH Patrick and Jim, throughout each day.
Due to popular demand, a second date has been added, but be quick as this is filling up quickly! If you can’t attend as a participant, auditing spaces are available for both clinics where you’ll learn from every horse and handler.
Location: Mane Gait Equestrian Center, Natural Bridge, Virginia
Dates:
September 12 – 14 (Auditing Spots Only)
September 15 – 17 (Limited Participant Spots. Auditing Spots Available)
| | Patrick King Podcast with Jim | |
Talking About Horses Podcast
Episode 62: Jim Masterson and Patrick King discuss the intricacies of Horse Training and Bodywork, emphasizing the importance of the horse’s active participation in the process, and more.
Recorded March 2025
Audio: Talking About Horses Ep. 62
Video: YouTube
| | | MMCP Malia Aldrich is hosting a clinic with Daniel Dauphin in California. Check out the information here and contact Malia to secure your spot! | | Newly Certified Practitioners | | |
Need help for your horse? Find an 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 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.
| | |
Agata Beres, MMCP
Warsaw, Poland
I’ve been lucky enough to have horses in my life since I can remember. For several years I had the opportunity to work in the UK as a groom at two Arabian horse studs. It was there, while preparing horses for showing and training them, that I got to know more about the concept of natural horsemanship, which became the basis of my presence among horses.
| |  | |
Chrisy LaFaver, MMCP
Green City, Missouri
I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. Every chance I would get to be around them, I took it. Finally getting a horse of my own at the age of 11, I became involved in the 4-H Horse and Pony program. Once out of high school I continued to have horses. As I got older I became more aware of improving my horsemanship and I also felt a huge tug at my heart to find something that I could do to give back to the horse. I learned about Jim Masterson and The Masterson Method® and attended a weekend seminar.
| | | |
Fiona Wells, MMCP
Ipswich, QLD, Australia
Computers weren’t a household item when I was growing up. We had no TV, so the family horses were one of our main sources of entertainment. My fascination with them started as far back as I can remember. I had no formal training and spent my early years bush bashing on a black Stockhorse called Don. He was my best mate as a child and confidante through the angsty teenage years!
I left home and horses to start my career as a nurse, get married and bring up my family. When my daughter turned seven, I could no longer ignore her pleading for a horse of her own and so horses came back into my life.
| | | |
Ines Maier, MMCP
Nürnberg, Germany
Eines Tages kam eine zertifizierte Masterson Therapeutin als Einstellerin zu uns in den Stall. Mich hat sofort fasziniert, wie sie mit ihren Pferden arbeitete und wie zufrieden diese dabei waren.
| | | |
Jiska Breedijk, MMCP
Groenlo - Achterhoek, Gelderland, Netherlands
Ik ben Jiska Breedijk en ben sinds september 2024 MMCP.
Ik ben aan mijn opleiding als MMCP begonnen omdat ik het welzijn van paarden wil verbeteren. In eerste instantie van mijn eigen paarden, maar nu als MMCP kan ik ook voor paarden van anderen het verschil maken. Naast dat ik MMCP ben heb ik ook ervaring met het revalideren van paarden en het coachen van ruiters.
Hi, my name is Jiska Breedijk and I have been an MMCP since September 2024.
I started my training as an MMCP because I wanted to improve the welfare of horses. Initially for my own horses, but now as an MMCP, I can also make a difference for horses of others. In addition to being an MMCP, I also have experience in rehabilitating horses and coaching riders.
| | | |
Karen Whitfield, MMCP
Ipswich, QLD, Australia
Karen is passionate about 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 and partners with horses every day in her work.
Karen was introduced to the Masterson Method® in 2023 and was so impressed with the outcomes of this gentle equine body work technique, she went on to complete the training to become a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP).
| | | |
Saskia Lassnig, MMCP
Feldkirchen, Austria
My love for horses began as soon as I could walk. Drawn to these majestic creatures from a young age. Riding, especially western riding has been a significant part of my life and I had the privilege of owning my own horse, deepening my bond with these magnificent animals. For me, horses are more than just large, powerful beings – they are incredibly sensitive and gentle, a combination that has always intrigued me.
| | | |
Sharon Flanagan, MMCP
Exeter, New Hampshire
I remember watching a friend of mine at her riding lesson when I was 11 years old and telling my parents that I wanted to do this too! I have always been an animal lover and this started my life-long love affair with equines. I began taking lessons at a Hunter/Jumper farm of privately owned horses that also had an outstanding lesson string. I ultimately competed in Junior Hunters and Equitation, showing throughout Central New York during high school.
I worked at the farm on the weekends and after school, earning “credit” so I could have additional lessons/instruction each week. When I headed off to college, I rode on my college equestrian team, competing in New York State and Canada.
| | | |
Sherri Sandona Kamenski, MMCP, MMES
Grafton, Wisconsin
Sherri Sandona Kamenski, owner of ReVivEquine LLC and lifelong lover of horses, is an avid equestrian from Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Sherri fell in love with horses during 4H and owned a thoroughbred horse and competed in Hunt Seat and equitation events throughout high school. With life changes and her parents being transferred to Ohio, horse life as Sherri knew it was put on hold with a focus on a career and starting her own family.
| | | |
Sherry Decker, MMCP
Red Hook, New York
My love for horses has led me down a unique path. I am a salon owner and stylist by trade. This profession is about listening to the client and making them feel beautiful about themselves. This is not different than listening to the horses when they’re holding onto something in their bodies.
My horses are my happy place. With each of them I have discovered more about myself. Intuitive at a very young age, I had to learn how to navigate the world with this unique sense of feeling that opens up insight into everything in this world. Each one of my horses has challenges as we all do, however I have a strong desire to figure out each issue that arises. I have to find the answers.
| | | Newly Certified Equine Specialists | | |
Our 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
| | |
"The learning experience and the environment is engaging and fun! Definitely worth it."
Weekend Course Student Testimonial
| | |
|
USA 2025 Courses
West
April 19-20 Las Vegas, NV
May 3-4 Waikoloa, HI
May 3-4 Sedalia, CO
May 3-4 Pleasant View, UT
May 31-June 1 Penn Valley, CA
June 21-22 Victor, ID
August 2-3 Colorado Springs, CO
August 30-31 Portola Valley, CA
August 30-31 Kalispell, MT
September 6-7 Ceres, CA
September 6-7 Athol, ID
October 25-26 Sedalia, CO
November 8-9 San Miguel, CA
Southwest
October 11-12 Driftwood, TX
Midwest
April 19-20 Milo, IA
May 3-4 Howell, MI
May 24-25 Pequot Lakes, MN
June 7-8 Milo, IA
June 28-29 Rapid City, SD
September 13-14 Zeeland, MI
October 11-12 Milo, IA
November 1-2 Sebeka, MN
Northeast
August 2-3 Nottingham, PA
October 18-19 Freeville, NY
Southeast
May 17-18 Leesburg, VA
May 17-18 Ooltewah, TN
September 20-21 Cleveland, NC
October 11-12 Perryville, AR
Canada 2025 Courses
British Columbia
May 24-25 Kelowna, BC
October 25-26 Campbell River, BC
Alberta
June 21-22 Calgary, AB
Saskatchewan
June 7-8 Aberdeen, SK
Ontario
May 17-18 Fitzroy Harbour, ON
May 31-June 1 Mulmur, ON
June 15-16 Caledon East, ON
May 2-3, 2026 Fingal, ON
Quebec
April 19-20 Grand-Remous, QC
(in French)
April 26-27 Sainte-Clotilde-de-Beauce, QC (in French)
August 23-24 Lac-Brome, QC
(in French)
August 31-September 1 St-Honoré-de-Chicoutimi, QC (in French)
September 6-7 Rouyn-Noranda, QC
(in French)
| | |
|
European 2025 Courses
Austria
June 14-15 Graz, AT
(in German with English translation)
Czech Republic
April 19-20 Loučná nad Desnou, CZ
(in Czech)
July 12-13 Bílé Karpaty, CZ
(in Czech)
September 20-21 Bošilec, CZ
(in Czech)
Denmark
September 6-7 Hampen, DK
France
July 19-20 Sion-les-Mines, FR
(in French)
September 20-21 Orcemont, FR
(in French)
Germany
May 10-11 Emden, DE
(in German)
August 16-17 Egestorf, DE
(in German)
August 30-31 Fahrenbach-Robern, DE
(in German)
Netherlands
May 30-31 Oud Ade (Zuid-Holland), NL
(in Dutch)
July 5-6 Bedum, NL
(in Dutch)
September 27-28 Ouwerkerk, NL
(in Dutch)
October 18-19 Vorden, NL
(in Dutch)
Poland
June 14-15 Rzęszyce, PL
(in Polish)
September 13-14 Rzęszyce, PL
(in Polish)
Slovakia
May 17-18 Ratnovce, SK
(in Czech)
Spain
June 21-22 Garcia, ES
(in English with Spanish translation)
United Kingdom
April 26-27 Shillington, Bedfordshire, UK
May 10-11 Cheshire, UK
Australia 2025 Courses
Australia
April 26-27 Tynong, VIC, AU
May 24-25 Glenreagh, NSW, AU
June 21-22 Gidgegannup, WA, AU
July 5-6 North Arm, QLD, AU
July 19-20 Bees Creek, NT, AU
August 30-31 Baddaginnie, VIC, AU
September 27-28 Arthurs Creek, VIC, AU
September 27-28 North Arm, QLD, AU
New Zealand
May 3-4 Christchurch, NZ
Africa 2025 Courses
South Africa
(check back for upcoming courses)
Asia 2025 Courses
Israel
May 22-23 Hibbat Zion, IL
(in English with Hebrew translation)
Japan
September 27-28 Hokkaido, JP
(in Japanese)
| | Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule | | |
"Whether you are interested in becoming a certified practitioner or you just want to improve the mental and physical welfare of your own horses, this course is for you!"
Advanced 5-Day Course Student Testimonial
USA 2025 Advanced Courses
April 21-25 Murfreesboro, TN with Kathy Tow
May 19-23 St. Charles, IL with Elizabeth Appleyard
June 2-6 Youngsville/Wake Forest, NC with Khrystynna Hunsinger
June 23-27 Watsonville, CA with Sandy Vreeburg
July 21-25 Pequot Lakes Area, MN with Becky Tenges
November 3-7 Austin, TX with Becky Tenges
Canada 2025 Advanced Courses
May 5-9 Cobourg, ON with Lori Hoppe
May 26-30 Sherbrooke, QC with Sylvie Vallières
(in French with English materials)
August 18-22 Calgary, AB with Lori Hoppe
September 15-19 Langley, BC with Lori Hoppe
October 6-10 Sherbrooke, QC with Sylvie Vallières
(in French with English materials)
Australia & New Zealand 2025 Courses
June 2-6 Elimbah, QLD, AU with Emma Young
October 13-17 Elimbah, QLD, AU with Vicky Devlin
European 2025 Advanced Courses
May 31-June 4 Egestorf, DE with Walter Saxe (in German)
June 11-15 Schalkhaar, NL with Masja Fick (in Dutch)
June 18-22 Frickingen, DE with Silvia Hamm (in German)
July 7-11 Orcemont, FR with Caroline Hébert Bernard (in French)
August 25-29 Orcemont, FR with Caroline Hébert Bernard (in French)
September 8-12 Graz, AT with Vicky Devlin (in English with German translation)
September 16-20 Rzęszyce, PL with Beata Filonowicz (in Polish)
October 4-8 Egestorf, DE with Walter Saxe (in German)
October 8-12 Schalkhaar, NL with Masja Fick (in Dutch)
November 8-12 Aßlar-Oberlemp, DE with Silvia Hamm (in German)
UK 2025 Advanced Courses
July 28-August 1 Langford, Bedfordshire, UK with Vicky Devlin
| | Masterson Method Light to the Core Schedule | | |
"Not only do you learn to work with horses but also there is deep personal work that takes place."
LTC Student Testimonial
| | |
|
USA 2025 Courses
April 26-27 Coatesville, PA
April 26-27 Clayton, WA
May 10-11 Leesburg, VA
June 7-8 Santa Maria, CA
July 26-27 Seneca, SC
October 18-19 Freeville, NY
UK 2025 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
| | |
|
Canada 2025 Courses
May 3-4 Lac-Brome, QC
(in French)
May 24-25 Rockwood, ON
June 14-15 Fort St. John, BC
July 5-6 Green Valley, ON
September 20-21 Sherwood, AB
October 18-19, Langley, BC
European 2025 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
| | Masterson Method Equine Specialist Schedule | | |
"It is fascinating to see how this method can help you & your horse improve on one another. Anyone can learn the process."
Equine Specialist Student Testimonial
USA 2025 Courses
May 16-18 Montrose, CO
June 20-22 Rancho Santa Fe, CA
September 19-21 Warwick, NY
Canada 2025 Courses
June 20-22 Sturgeon County, AB
European 2025 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
| | Masterson Method Collaborative Clinics | | Masterson Method Expos and Demos | | |
USA and European 2025 Expos & Demos
Jim's Expos and Demonstrations
April 25-27 Red Deer, AB Jim Masterson at Horse Expo Canada
June 6-8 Sacramento, CA Jim Masterson at Western States Horse Expo
October 31-November 2 Santa Fe, NM Jim Masterson at Best Horse Practices Summit
MMCP Equine Demonstrations
April 27 Jasper, GA MM Demo with Stephanie Pfitzer
April 27 Sunnidale, New Lowell, Ontario MM Demo with Jenn Vereshack
May 10 Rossville, GA MM Demo with Stephanie Pfitzer
May 18 Augusta, NJ MM Demo with Diane Fitzgerald
May 31 New Lenox, IL MM Demo with Amy Kerrigan
June 1 Brownsburg, IN MM Demo with Amy Kerrigan
June 14 Montrose, CO MM Demo with Kim Hollstein
June 28 Pennington, NJ MM Demo with Diane Fitzgerald
June 29 Burgate, Hampshire, UK MM Demo with Willow Reavley
| | Masterson Method Canine Courses | | |
"I wish I had filmed Pixie before I took the Masterson Method Canine Read and Release Online Training Class because Pixie's movement before and after the class instruction is so amazing! To see her move more freely now brings me much joy. What a special way to give back to a longtime canine friend!"
Canine Course Student Testimonial
Read and Release 2025 Course Dates
Saturdays at 11:00 am CT May 3, 10, 17 with Amelia Nalli
Mondays at 6:00 pm CT June 23, 30, July 7 with Valissa Willwerth
Fridays at 11:00 am CT July 1, 8, 15 with Stef Watts
Fridays at 6:00 pm CT August 1, 8, 15 with Amelia Nalli
Introducing Movement 2025 Course Dates
Saturdays at 2:00 pm CT May 10, 17, 24 with Kalin Finsand (full)
Wednesdays at 11:00 am CT July 16, 23, 30 with Kalin Finsand
Mondays at 6:00 pm CT July 21, 28, August 4 with Valissa Willwerth
All courses are scheduled in Central Time Zone, occur on zoom, and last approximately 2 hours. If a course sold out, send a message to dog@mastersonmethod.com to add your name to the waiting list.
| | Masterson Method Office Info | |
THE MASTERSON METHOD®
641-472-1312
| | |
| | | |
