The Masterson Minute

with Jim Masterson

Jim takes about a minute (well, a little bit more) to show working on the hind end, pelvis, groin and stifle. This is not an instructional clip, but it shows Jim working on one of his regular client's horses using techniques to increase movement and flexibility in the hind end.  

 

For a more video clips, go to

Training Video Clips on the website.

Releasing Tension In The Pelvis, The Masterson Method

 

New MM Certified Practitioner!  

Bob Rothman, Huntersville, North Carolina      

We all know about the connection shared between horse and rider.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to optimize your horse's performance and your riding experience?  Whether it's for pleasure or competition, the quality of your experience depends on how you both feel. Being the intuitive animals that they are, horse's respond to any discomfort you might have and communicate that via their behavior.

What separates me from my peers is not only my first hand experience of recovering from a traumatic injury, but my advanced certification in Medical Massage for my human practice. I have been dedicated to helping people manage their physical challenges, which more often than not include pain and range of motion issues. These skills are easily transferable when I deal with my equine clients also. Due to the similar anatomy my advanced human massage training easily gives me the edge over other equine therapists.

As a Medical Massage Therapist for people and a Masterson Method™ Practitioner allow me to customize a plan to enhance the synergy between you and your equine partner.

I travel to North Carolina/South Carolina and beyond.

You can contact Bob through his website: www.performanceequinemassage.com 

or by phone: 704-689-8661. And,  Watch a video clip of Bob on you tube. 

Ask Jim

Dear Jim;  

I just got back from the weekend seminar in Texas and very excited to get started.  Everything has been going great and getting lots of great releases!  Until today...  I was trying for the shoulder release both front and back and the horse won't stop pulling his leg away.  He throws it forward as if pawing the ground, both sides.  I've tried to stay with him but he just gets more agitated and paws harder.  He is a 13 year old jumper who is very very tight in the poll and neck.  His rider says he feels like a jack hammer in the front when he moves.  Any suggestions on how to handle this? 

Dear Writer;

With your horse that has difficulty with the front leg releases there are a couple ways to approach the problem. Try all of them. One is to spend time on the poll and neck. This will help release tension in the shoulder, and withers, which is where a lot of his problem is. Do Lateral Flexions from the poll, all the way to the lower neck. When you get to the lower neck, get your hand as far down under the scapula as he is comfortable with, then gently use the hand on his lower neck to shift his weight away from you onto the other leg. This will un-weight the near leg, having the same effect as releasing the leg but without having to pick it up.

Another way to release the leg without picking up the foot is to shift his weight to the other leg, and slide the un-weighted leg back, keeping his weight on the other leg until he relaxes the near leg.  

I'll try to describe how you can accomplish this  step by step: Stand in close with your left leg under his neck in front of his two front feet.  Lean forward and put your shoulder against the front of his shoulder.  Put your left hand down on the front of his knee, and your right hand on the front of his cannon bone below the knee. This is to slide his foot back (without picking it up.)  Once you have used your shoulder to shift his weight to the opposite leg and off the near leg, gently use your shoulder to shift his weight to the opposite leg, just enough so that he doesn't step over. Slide his foot back and hold his weight on the opposite leg until he relaxes and drops the near leg back.  

You can bring the leg forward by positioning yourself the same, but putting your hands BEHIND the leg, shifting the weight over, and sliding the foot forward.  Hold him in the position with your weight against his shoulder as long as possible.  

Do the same on the other side.  It works a lot better if you just do a little bit on one leg, then a little on the other side, then a little on this side, then a little on the other, then a little lower neck and poll work, then come back to the legs.  Check every once in a while to see if he paws when picking up the foot.  

This is one of the methods that we learn during the 5 day, Phase I Certification course.  

Let me know how it goes.  

Jim  

Editor's note: For more questions and answers, go to the Discussion Forum on the website.