With a 40 year passion for horses, having worked with everything from Standardbreds to Western Performance horses, with Jumpers and Dressage horses thrown in, Yvonne was looking for something where she could pay back her equine companions. 

Regardless of the performance and job required of a horse, they too have discomforts and soreness.  Yvonne knew that there had to be more than just pain medication or Chiropractic adjustments to help.  Her quest began by researching non-traditional massage modalities, looking for what would suit her and the needs of her equine partners.  She "grilled" several massage therapists about their techniques and schooling after watching them work on her horses.

Finally, a Phase II student of Jim's came to her barn and they developed a wonderful rapport.  The unique integrations of this bodywork, the gentle approach and working with the horse and not on the horse, the intuitive interaction between the horse and practitioner that resulted in increased trust, bonding and understanding, Yvonne felt she had finally found the right blend of modalities and chose to become certified in the Masterson Method™.

Yvonne splits her time between Southern Arizona (Nov - Apr) and Southeastern Iowa (May - Nov).   She can be reached via cell phone: 319-572-4225; e-mail:  jko@mepotelco.net or find her on her website: www.wix.com/yohlense/Integrated-Equine-Massage 

When in Doubt, Go Lighter

with Tami Parr, MMCP 

It's worth repeating...when in doubt, go lighter.

After assisting Jim with a couple of weekend seminar-workshops, I recall hearing him say this often, and find myself repeating it to others... and myself as I work. 

One of my regular clients is a horse named Haley, a QH/TB mare, used in dressage.  She is 11 years old and has been active in dressage training for over 8 years.  Numerous trainers have worked with her, employing both good and bad techniques, as her owner is open to admitting. Now being worked by an excellent trainer, she holds the history of the past, in the restrictions I find in her bodywork.  The trainer shares with me, "I mount her for training and the neck extends and locks into position, like a board...this happens every time."

The releases and reactions I got from Haley on her first body work were at first minimal and she was very resistant.  But stepping back, I re-evaluated my approach, and moved back into light touch point releases.  Immediately she softened, relaxing as I moved slowly and softly from point to point.  When I once again moved to release the poll and neck, I again, kept it very soft...air gap to egg yolk, never more pressure.   

The releases came slowly, as I worked, but they came.  And when I finally released the most restricted portion of her neck, the release was so intense and so deep, even the owner was shocked and moved.  Instead of the usual guttural grunt I've come to expect, Haley grunted, then went into a deep sigh, and at the end almost sounded like a sob.  This was over a period of almost 10 seconds.  So deep was this release, that the bodywork ended shortly thereafter.

My point with this story is to encourage you to soften the touch when you get a horse that appears resistant.  This gets you under their "bracing" radar. The tougher the horse, the softer the touch, and the more they teach us!  

An outcome from my work with Haley, the trainer shared with me last week.  After 4 bodywork sessions the trainer told me,"...riding Haley is like riding a different horse!"  Her movement was balanced and smooth and her neck flexible.  Best of all she was willing, willing, willing, to do what she asked."   

Tami lives in Wisconsin and can be reached via email: atparr@charter.net. View her website at www.equineatparr.com.