The Masterson Minute

with Jim Masterson

Jim takes about a minute (well a little bit more) to show the shoulder releases with the leg forward and leg back.  For a more video clips, go to Training Video Clips on the website.

The Masterson Minute

As Dressage has grown in popularity, horses of different breeds and disciplines have entered the sport.  Many were not bred specifically for dressage, while others have conformational limitations or years of training in different disciplines to overcome, particularly many years of carrying themselves in a posture that doesn't resemble a dressage frame.

Asking a horse to round his topline and stretch onto the bit as we do in dressage can turn into a time consuming and painstaking process when a horse already has a "muscle memory" to stiffen or brace his neck in response to a request to carry his topline in a certain way.

Nerves in the horse's neck and the "attitude" of the neck itself govern the entire body and it's movement.  These nerve centers in the horse's poll act as a control panel for reflexes through out his body.  So, when a horse, either through former training in other disciplines or previous injuries, braces his neck, his entire body is locked.  This physical pattern needs to be addressed-through body therapy as well as systematic gymnastics--just as much as his training in dressage aids the rider's seat, etc.

Body therapists call this "neuro-muscular re-education."  Without this, muscles will contract and relase in a pattern that has become habitual through training and discomfort.  Eventually, a horse's nervous system will limit or restrict his soft tissues (muscle, ligament, tendon) from contracting or releasing in any manner outside this pattern.

Even after periods of rest and body therapy, such as massage, the nervous system retains this memory pattern, continuing -- in the case of dressage -- to restrict a muscles range of motion.  The nerves keep signaling the muscle to move the way it always has in its previous state. In order to change this, a rider must re-educate the horse's nervous system to recruit all the muscle fibers available, not just he ones it has memory of.  One way to do this to to move the horse's joints through their full range of motion while the horse is in a completely relaxed state.  This way you release the restriction in the joint and accompanying muscles, plus show the nervous system that it can move through and beyond that point.

To improve your chances of success, perform all exercises and stretches intended to release trouble spots (rather than manipulate areas through massage) when the horse first comes from his stable prior to work.  This way, his body is "cold" and not yet accessing his muscle memories.  So, he is much less likely to guard his sore or restricted areas, and your chances of having him release are far greater. 

Read the rest of this article and more articles on the Masterson Method™ on the In the Media page on the website => 

1) If your horse fidgets when your hand is at a certain point, don't be tempted to move away - it's usually a sign of tension he's about to release.  Lighten the pressure and "stay, stay, stay."

2)  All horses are individuals. If your horse is "nippy" and has a lot going on around his poll, it may take him more time to release.  Throw away the clock and lighten up! 

3)  Let your horse touch the back of your hand with his lips to help him relax.  Some horses need to, "check in" with you.  It's a nice connection.  When your horse reaches around to see what you are doing, reach out the back of your hand and let him sniff or touch it.  Horses do that to each other to "check in"  Sometimes this is all they need to relax and release.

4) Start softly and go slowly.  Enjoy the time you are spending with your horse.  Do the work and figure out the "why's" later.  Trying to figure out why a horse is stuck or is restricted at a certain place just keeps you in your head.  Follow the horse's blink and let him lead.