The Masterson Minute

with Jim Masterson

Jim takes about a minute (well, a little bit more) to show the scapula release using a hole in the shavings.

 

For a more video clips, go to

Training Video Clips on the website.

Masterson Minute Scapula Release

 

New Certified Practitioner from  Thoiry, France; Diane Howard    

Having worked to rehabilitate several "dangerous" horses, Diane is a firm believer that most equine behavioral problems stem from physical issues. She was delighted to discover the Masterson Method™, with its emphasis on listening to what the horse has to say because horses really will let us know what they need.

In the course of working with Jim and in her own practice, Diane has had experience with horses in most disciples, including dressage, show jumping, polo, reining, and trail riding. She is happy to design wellness programs to meet the individual needs of horse and rider. Her particular interests are horses with behavior problems and older horses.

A life-long student, Diane has taken courses in equine anatomy and nutrition, as well as veterinarian-taught classes in arthritis and lameness, neuromuscular diseases, and care of the older horse. She is certified in Equissage equine massage and is currently training to become a TTouch Practitioner.

Diane is the first person to certify as a Masterson Method Practitioner in Continental Europe. She works mainly in the greater Geneva area, but is willing to travel to other locations. She can be reached via email at  Diane.Howard@etumotes.net.

Editors note: Diane is also a Phase II Mentor for those moving through the Certification process. 

Being able to soften or lighten at the first sign of resistance is important in keeping the horse you are working on relaxed. Often you may think you are soft, but maybe not to the horse. To catch that first sign of resistance; you develop a feel: To soften or lighten right at the moment you feel that resistance; you develop timing.

Here's an exercise that helped me:

Stand facing the horse's neck. Reach out one hand and lightly place your fingers on the opposite side of the horse's head, just above the nose. Keeping your hand soft and light - so the egg yolk doesn't break - gently start to bring the head toward you.  

As soon as the horse increases the pressure against your fingers with enough pressure that would break the egg yolk; stop. You may have only moved the head a little, it doesn't matter, just stop and lighten slightly - back to the unbroken egg yolk. Wait.  

You should feel at some point, the horse releases the pressure - a feeling that the head lightens - softens. Then, start bringing the head toward you again and stop again at the slightest sign of pressure. Repeat.

SHAN: What role does the average horse owner play in the success of the horse's health?

JIM: Since the horse owner is the one who creates the conditions the horse survives in, and is ultimately the one who makes the decision regarding care and repair of the horse, the more knowledge the owner has regarding what to do, or have done to the horse, the better life the horse will have, and the better he will perform.

SHAN: What are some of the benefits of this kind of bodywork on the horse?

JIM: In addition to making him "go better", this method of bodywork gives the owner an awareness of how sensitive and reactive the horse can be, and it opens a new level of communication with the horse.

SHAN: How do you think the work could change the current thinking surrounding horse health?

JIM: As you can see with the popularity of Horse Whisperer trainers such as Monty Roberts, the Parelli's, Buck Branaman and John Lyons among many others, there is a huge shift towards "partnering," and "natural" and "resistance-free" training in the horse world.  I guess it would just have been a matter of time before the same methods would be used in physical therapies. These same methods that utilize the participation and sensitivities of the horse to get the desired results in behavior or training, can work in physical therapies and bodywork. That's what the Masterson Method™ hopes to teach. And not only that, it works!

SHAN: Are there any major surprises or conclusions drawn from your work with horses that you would like to share?

JIM: What amazed me when I began studying this, and still does daily, is:

a) that the horse can be so expressive when he releases physical tension in his body,  

and b)  when you provide just a little bit of help in the right way, that his body will let go of large amounts of accumulated tension that it would otherwise be difficult for him to let go.

If you would like to read the complete interview, go to the Media Page on the website.