Hello All,

Just got back from Dr. Peggy Fleming DVM's,  Florida Acupuncture Center in Dade City, Florida and our final U.S. 5-Day Advanced Course of the year. 

Made a stop on Saturday at Equine Affair in Springfield MA to do two presentations (with real, live horses!) both to full crowds. Ron & Doris Bouchard and Laura Douaihy helped me at our booth where we sold books & dvd's and informed people about the Masterson Method™  We also got to meet for the first time, our wonderful support group at Trafalgar Square Publishers - Horse and Rider Books - who published the Beyond Horse Massage book and also had a booth there.  Check out other interesting people I met at Equine Affaire on my Facebook Page. 

As I said, all of our 2012 U.S. courses are done now (one more in the UK) and it will soon be time to take stock of our accomplishments, and to project to the future what we want to accomplish in 2013.

I am particularly happy with the New Certification Path that we created with case studies and information all in one place on our School Website.  There is now a clear path towards certification in the Masterson Method™ with more one-on-one support via Coaching Courses, and a Scoring System that helps us and students identify specific areas to focus on as they go forward. We are also encouraging people who aren't necessarily interested in going through the Certification process, but who are looking for a deeper way to connect and communicate with their horses, to take the first step of the Certification process, the 5-Day Advanced Course.

In 2013, one of our major goals will be to "get the word out" nationally.  I have ideas to pitch for television shows either as a guest or having our own weekly show.  Also, by attending more Horse Expos and events, we can involve more people in helping their horses to do their best. 

We are getting closer to the Holidays and have had many of you asking about our first DVD, Equine Massage for Performance Horses.   We've decided to bundle it with the most recent DVD, Beyond Horse Massage, so you can have the complete Masterson Method™ Library.  See the Store for more details. And, the best part, is that there is FREE SHIPPING for all products until January 1st, 2013! 

Of course we're often asked, "What's the difference between the two DVDs?"

Although there is some difference in the techniques demonstrated on the two DVDs, the main difference is in the flavor and perspective between the two. Some people like the first better, some the second. We decided to ask someone who was not familiar with either to watch them, and give their impression. You can read this below the calendar sidebar, and get an objective opinion, instead of my opinion, which is, "I like them both!"

We have new Certified Practitioners to announce this month. Julie Green from the UK and Rebecca Blevins from North Carolina are highlighted below.   

And, most recently in October, Barbara McCann from the Bay Area of San Francisco finished her Final Course/Phase III at the Stanford University class in Palo Alto, CA. And this month, Ann Niles from Florida finished at the Dade City, FL Course. Both did very well, and will be Coaching up-and-coming Certification Field Work Course Students in California and Florida in 2013. We're happy to have them on board. You can find them on our Practitioners page, and you'll be reading about them in upcoming newsletters. Congratulations Barbara and Ann!

And we have a bold new winner in our, "Your Horse at His Best" essay contest.  As a horse trainer, farrier and bodyworker, Matthew Brendal articulates his perspective on horses from the ground up, from the outside in, and also from the inside out.  Matthew will be receiving a 50% discount on the Masterson Method™ Beyond Horse Massage Weekend Seminar of his choice. Thanks, Matthew!  Enjoy his perspective, and his winning article, below. I know that I did.

One more thing: Our General Manager, Cindee Van Dyk, is constantly coming in to my office to tell me about the latest person she's spoken with who has had amazing results with this work on their horses. She just did it again, and I asked her, "Why don't you just put it on our Testimonials page?"   Of course, by now I should know better than to try to beat her to a brilliant idea. "I already did that!"

So, please go to the Testimonials Webpage and read some of these interesting stories. I do every once in a while just to remind myself how these techniques are impacting peoples and horses lives.

That's it for now. Off to merry (if not sunny) England in December for our last Advanced course.  (Cindee tells me we have two more spots available) to visit relatives, and to enjoy some traditional Christmas Spirit(s). I'll be writing from there for the final newsletter of the year.  

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! 

Until then, like me, enjoy your horses!

Jim

I started riding at the age of three. Having always been horse mad, I often hearing the remark - "Were you born in a barn, Julie?"

Horses have always been a very important part of my life. I have a lot to thank them for since through the years they have taught me- "There is always something more to learn, keep an open mind, and listen". For a while now, I have been striving to find something to help me" give back" in return, for all that horses have given to me.

Having always been interested in Equine Physiotherapy and Biomechanics, this led me towards an interest in Dressage Judging. I am now a List 3 British Dressage Judge; this and training, has helped me develop a keen eye as to a horse's correct way of going.

When judging numerous horses it is clear that "tension "in the horses body, has a detrimental effect; it is a horse and riders worst nightmare! Whether it is through injury, incorrect training, compensatory conformation issues, or poor saddle fit etc, tension results in restriction, discomfort for horse and rider, and poor performance.

I had been thinking, "Something to relieve tension would be ideal ", to help horses, but as yet I hadn't found anything really that convincing.

Then, as usual in my life it was a horse Tom who put me on the right path, towards my goal.

"Tom", kept having problems with his saddle fit, detrimentally affecting his back muscles. He was very tense, mostly in the Poll, TMJ and lumbar area.

Eager to find information to help Tom myself, I surfed the web and came across Jim's Masterson Method™ techniques. Straight away I tried them out - the response and releases were massive - I was Hooked immediately! Using the techniques, Tom was able to work comfortably and properly. He is now more elevated and free in his body; my aids more subtle and effective. Our performance marks have improved greatly!

I'VE FOUND IT. What I was looking for!! My answer was The Masterson Method™ "A unique Innovative Method to relieve tension". Totally addicted I decided to pursue the road to becoming a MMCP.

Along this road I have now learned that The Masterson Method™ helps horses working in what ever sphere. Horses that have been in discomfort, previously labelled as aggressive or difficult to train, respond so openly to the gentle soft touch; it is truly very rewarding.

So if you have ever asked yourself:-

"It feels like the hardest thing in the world to get my horse to understand?" or "No matter how hard I train my horse; the messages just aren't getting through?"  The Masterson Method™ can help your horse and you, develop further your bond and partnership, and performance.

If you have a horse who needs a Masterson Method Session, and would like to contact me, please do not hesitate to email or give me a call.    

I am based in the UK-South West Region and will travel further a field if necessary.

Email: Julie_mary_green@yahoo.co.uk 

Phone: 07960984085

I boldly claim that I understand horses better the average horseman. In the quest for greater knowledge I have attended numerous schools and clinics on the subject of horses. Those schools include The University of Guelph, EquiFlex Equine Massage School, and Oklahoma Farrier College. My day job is horseshoeing. A job I have done for thirteen years.

My AQHA horse is primarily used in American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) competitions and trail riding. Those are not activities that usually cause a huge demand on my horse. On the other hand, a horse that has a physical problem will not perform to his maximum capacity. A supple and soft horse will always beat a tense and rigid horse.

The famous horseman, Pat Parelli had a profound influence on me as to understanding horses. I use his methods when trimming and shoeing horses that are hard to handle. I seldom if ever get kicked and horses seem to stand much quieter. Pat Parelli's methods of Natural Horsemanship also helped me to be successful at ACTHA events. His methods are the ones I employ when training and starting horses. Let me take a leap and jump to a conclusion of comparison that should be made. The Masterson Method has also had a huge influence that brings a lot of pieces together.

As I mentioned, I'm a horseshoer and I see many things in many horses. The horse's feet are the foundation of the horse. Many hoof problems lead directly to body problems. Things such as laminitis, navicular or other lameness problems can cause certain muscle groups to be over taxed which can then lead to more problems. When I identify a hoof problem that leads to a muscular problem I try to teach the owner ways to make the horse more comfortable. Massage is one of the main tools I teach them to use. Massage done properly can give a horse great comfort and help in the healing process.

Horses are unlike most animals in that they don't rest much laying down. Which means any problem a horse has can and often will be amplified. Then the horse gets tight and out of balance. That imbalance leads to more imbalance. Again massage is often the key to fix that problem.

Just when I had thought that I had seen it all, Rick Lamb proved me wrong. He had a guest on his show who was gently touching a horse with huge results. It was the MASTERSON METHOD. Again it was like watching Pat Parelli for the first time. I didn't know exactly what I was seeing but I knew it was authentic and beneficial to the horse. I ordered the DVD. From the DVD, I learned better ways to help client's horses. Believe it or not it also help me in riding my horse softer. Did I mention my horse is already soft? She holds her own at ACTHA competitions and she is ridden bridleless and bareback all the time. The DVD gave me insights in ways to get the horse to relax. Relaxation means healing injuries and helping the horse to be softer.

I truly believe that this method will help your be his best.

Matthew Brendal