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Notes From Jim:
Hello Everyone,
Have you ever noticed that sometimes the New Year comes and goes and we don't notice much difference or change? While other times, when the holidays give us a chance to stop and take a breath, we look around us and see clearly the direction we want to take going forward?
Well, this is one of those years. This year will see a shift in how we teach and bring people's awareness to this Method of interacting with the horse. This shift will also shift their experience of the Masterson Method - all of which I know is good. Here are some of the goals for 2013 we are working on:
We are moving quickly to complete the NEW Masterson Method Certification Process with our On Line School and new Coaching Courses, and Anatomy Course for those wanting to become certified in the Masterson Method™.
We will soon introduce a Self Motivated, On Line/At a Distance program for those that want to take their Beyond Horse Massage book and dvd and work through a program of tasks and online tests to help cement the techniques.
We are in the planning stages of new dvd's that will be focused on particular riding disciplines. Up first will be; Bodywork for Dressage Horses. We are excited to be able to focus on the particular problems associated with each discipline. Coralie Hughes, MMCP and I will be working together on this dvd to highlight the Dressage horse.
We will continue to create and fill Weekend Seminar-Workshop courses here in the US and in Europe. If there isn't one near you, and you are interested in hosting a course, we can guide you through the process. Here is a link to the Host a Seminar webpage for information on creating one in your area.
Later this year, I will be heading over to the United Kingdom in both June and September to teach and give Presentations. I enjoy all my overseas friends, and look forward to creating new ones. I want to thank Instructor and Seminar Coordinator, Vicky Devlin who helps create the courses there and keep all the logistical elements organized. Thanks Vicky!
 I am particularly excited by our MMCP Instructor, Coralie Hughes, who will be teaching more of the Advanced 5-day Courses. We have had such an overwhelmingly positive response to her teaching. Coralie is an excellent horse-person and teacher. Her ability to transfer to the student the sensitivity of the horse in clear, knowledgeable language, her experience with horses in competition, and her applied knowledge of bio-mechanics all work together to give students the most they can get out of this course. If she were a little bigger, had a moustache, and drank a little more beer, I'd say you'd be in just about as good hands as if with me.
I am happy to report that we have some new Certified Practitioners; two from Ireland who finished in Gloucester, UK in December in foggy, bitterly cold weather; and three from the US who just finished in the warmth of our January, Arizona course. We will be highlighting all of them in subsequent newsletters. For now, read below the bio on Certified Practitioner, Doris Bouchard, from Connecticut.
We have had a couple testimonials that I wanted to share with you. One came from our Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) Janice Kennedy-Davison who lives just over an hour away from me. Her work with the horse, Asia, is a great read, and an inspiration especially to those who have difficult horses. We will look forward to updates on Asia's progress.
And, one from Coralie Hughes, whose horse Guinnie "tied up" and she found using Masterson Method™ helped with the recovery process. This is great news to those who feel helpless during times of crisis like this.
And, Finally, on the sidebar, we have a link to our, In the Media webpage where you can listen to a November, 2012, interview I did with TV and radio host, Rick Lamb for his radio show; The Horse Show with Rick Lamb. I always enjoy speaking with him, and this was no exception.
Enjoy the newsletter...
Until then, like me, enjoy your horses!
Jim
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The Masterson Minute
Working with Difficult Horses or
Horses in Pain with the Bladder Meridian
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New Certified Masterson Method™  Practitioner in Sterling, Connecticut:
Doris Bouchard
My connection with horses started at a very early age when my parents sent me to "Pony Camp". Spending my days around those amazing creatures gave me confidence and a deep desire to be around them. However, I did not learn to ride or own my first horse until later in life.
My interest in Massage and Bodywork began eight years ago when I was looking for a way to combine work with pleasure which afforded me the ability to give something back to the horse for all they endure and patiently give to us.
I also became a licensed, certified human massage therapist to increase my knowledge in anatomy and physiology in order to better understand the muscle and its role in the biomechanics of the body. I realized how muscle tension can be the cause of a domino effect on the skeletal body and nervous system, followed by the underlying issues that occur when muscles are over or under developed, causing imbalances or injuries in need of rehabilitation.
My focus is on the short comings and imbalances that are often transferred from the rider to the horse.
In adding to my tool bag of Bodywork techniques, The Masterson Method™ has been the "Icing on the Cake".
By interacting with the horse, staying below the flight response and allowing them time to process, the horse is able to release tension at their own pace from the areas of the body that most affect well being and performance.
Search - Response - Stay - Release - has not only taught me to slow down and soften, but led the way to truly being in touch with the individual horse's needs.
I am based in Sterling, CT and will travel throughout the New England States and New York.
You can read more about Doris at the
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 Testimonial:
Working on A Difficult Horse, by Certified Practitioner, Janice Kennedy-Davison Asia is a 5 year old Hanoverian mare with much promise and a reputation for being difficult to get along with. I worked on her a few times this past year and at times I was barely able to touch her while doing the Bladder Meridian.
Although she hadn't been in training for an extended period of time, she got to the point where she was rearing under saddle. She even reared and went over backwards while being longed in side reins.
Asia was at the point where no one felt safe working with her and she was sent to a skilled trainer with a reputation for successfully starting young horses and a talent for working with difficult horses. The trainer felt there may be something causing her to act out due to discomfort. Shortly after that she was treated by an equine chiropractor and it was about this time when I was asked to work on her on a more regular basis.
Through several sessions approximately 2 weeks apart, I was able to make progress, gain her trust, and I came to understand that she (like so many horses) was expressing discomfort in the only way she knew how.
This past weekend we had a breakthrough that I found very surprising and rewarding! I had started the session with very light poll work and lateral cervical flexion on both sides. Then on to the wither points and scapula releases on both sides. I was getting ready to move on when she bent her neck around to touch her nose at an area behind her right scapula down toward the girth area. So I did some extra scapula releases on this leg and stood back to wait to see what she had to say.
To my surprise she walked a few steps forward and laid down. Assuming she wanted to roll, I simply waited. Instead, she stayed in that position with her head raised and apparently no intention of rolling. I took the opportunity to lightly touch the side of her poll like Jim teaches. To my complete amazement she immediately laid down flat out on her side.
When Asia stood up she was pretty wobbly. I let her move around a bit to get used to what she was feeling. She walked a little way and when she stopped I reached up to check her wither points. Once again she folded her front legs and laid down on her side. Flat as a pancake. I worked on her shoulder and pectoral area for about 10 minutes, then stood up to see what she had to say...but instead she started to snore! Actually, she fell into a deep sleep before I could even step back. Her muzzle twitched and her back legs moved as if she were in the middle of a wonderful gallop in the field of her dream.
When she awoke she lay there quietly while I worked on the points of her hindquarters. I stood up and stepped back once more; she rested there another minute or two and slowly stood up. She was still pretty wobbly, so I walked with her until she got the feel of her 'new body'.
As I walked to my car, she whinnied at me several times. Very unusual for Asia. Both the trainer and I had never heard her make a sound before. I took it to be a very good sign.
So I'd like to share with you the fact that I'm thankful for the ability to help ease some discomfort, that I'm thankful for patient and empathetic trainers, and that I'm especially thankful to concerned horse owners who are willing to try alternate methods of helping their challenging horses.
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Testimonial: "Helping To Relieve a Tying up Horse," from Certified Practitioner  and Instructor Coralie Hughes, MMCP
Hi Jim,
Just had to write because of my deep appreciation (all over again) for what you have created in the Masterson Method™.
A quick little story:
My precious dressage mare, Guinnie, was hospitalized late last May for three days for a colic that wasn't responding. We were up very late at the Purdue vet clinic anticipating surgery. But things just didn't add up. They started running every conceivable blood test and all were surprised when her muscle enzymes were sky high while all else was normal. She had actually tied up. She was tested by muscle biopsy and it came back positive for EPSM (equine polysaccharide storage myopathy). Weeks of study and searching led to dramatic changes in her feed and some of our routines. We hoped we had everything under control.
Well, we didn't. Wednesday she tied up again after some free-jumping practice. The practice wasn't long, she wasn't sweating at all (she is very very fit) so tying up was a shock. About 12:30pm I gave her Banamine under the direction of the vet. My poor little horse was standing in her stall with her hind feet planted. She moved her front around some to try to reach things, but the hind feet didn't move.
At 6pm that same afternoon, she still wouldn't move her hind legs, despite the Banamine. I was panicky. While waiting for a call back from the vet, I wanted to do something productive, so I started doing what I could for her in the way of bodywork without moving her feet or legs: Bladder meridian work, the release points of the hind end, a little accordion of the muscles, not much else was possible.
Her normally healthy and soft muscles of her back and haunches were rock hard when I started. After awhile, she actually dropped one hip and then the other! I couldn't believe it. About half an hour later she was willing to move her feet and I took her for a short walk which she would do. Wanting to cover all bases, I gave her another round of Banamine as the vet recommended.
Yesterday she was allowed to free walk in the arena when it was available and today I lunged her a little, and walked her. She only wanted to walk about 20 minutes, which is not typical of her little dynamo-self. But she was better. I repeated the bodywork that I could do without picking up her legs this evening and her muscles softened still more. I am eager to see how much better she will be tomorrow.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me tools that would deliver such profound benefit to my best little friend.
(Hope my min-pin didn't hear that).
Coralie Hughes, MMCP
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Calendar of Events
For Prices of each course, follow the link for more information to the Calendar Page on the website. There you will find each course's price, location and registration info.
February 4th - 8th
Tucson, Arizona
5 - Day Advanced Course For More Information
February 9th - 10th
Bradenton, FL
Weekend Seminar
Workshop w/ Marie Riley
or call 641-472-1312
March 2nd - 3rd
Hertfordshire, UK
Weekend Seminar-Workshop with Diane Howard & Vicky Devlin
March 9th - 10th
Tucson, AZ
Weekend Seminar-Workshop with Vanessa Helvey
March 11th - 15th
Hutto, TX
5 - Day Advanced Course with Coralie Hughes & Jim Masterson
March 23rd - 24th
Bothell, WA
Weekend Seminar-Workshop with Coralie Hughes
March 25th - 29th
Bothell, WA
5 - Day Advanced Course with Coralie Hughes
April 1 - 5th
Tryon, NC
April 6 - 8th
Tryon, NC
Certification Completion Course with Jim MastersonPrerequisites Apply Applications available on School Website April 5th - 7th Iowa Horse Fair, Des Moines, IowaDemonstration by Becky Tenges on Masterson Method™ techniques.
April 13th - 14th Lexington, KYWeekend Seminar-Workshop with Coralie Hughes April 20th - 22nd Madison, WI Demonstration by Jim Masterson of Masterson Method™ techniques April 20th - 21st ,
Grass Valley, CA Weekend Seminar-Workshop with Marie Riley April 27th - 28th, 2013 Clinton, OKWeekend Seminar-Workshop with Yvonne Ohlensehlen For More InformationMay 4th - 5th Hobart, INWeekend Seminar-Workshop with Coralie Hughes For More InformationMay 18th - 19th Bend, ORWeekend Seminar- Workshop with Vanessa Helvey May 18th - 19th Yalaha, FLWeekend Seminar-Workshop with Lorre Mueller For More InformationMay 24th - 26th Madison, WICertification Completion Course with Jim Masterson
Prerequisites Apply
Applications on School website.
May 25th - 26th Ozaukee County, WIWeekend Seminar-Workshop with Stefanie Reinhold For More InformationMay 27th - 31st Mequon, WI5 - day Advanced Course
June 1st - June 2nd Eagle, IDWeekend Seminar- Workshop with Lorre Mueller For more informationJune 1st - 2nd Seminole, OKWeekend Seminar Workshop with Yvonne Ohlensehlen For more informationJune 22nd - 23rd Haverhill, Suffolk UKWeekend Seminar- Workshop with Jim Masterson For More Information or contact:
June 24th - 28th Salisbury, UK
5 - day Advanced Course
For More Information or contact Vicky DevlinJuly 20th - 21st
Philadelphia, PA
Weekend Seminar-
Workshop with Marie Riley
July 20th - 21st
Berlin, WI
Weekend Seminar-Workshop with Stefanie Reinhold
For More Information
July 20th - 21st
Vernon, British Columbia Weekend Seminar-Workshop with Diane Howard
For More Information
July 22nd - 26th
Philadelphia, PA
August 19th - 23rd
Palo Alto, CA
5 - Day Advanced Course For More Information September 7th - 8th Devon, UKWeekend Seminar-Workshop with Jim Masterson For More Information or contact Vicky Devlin September 9th - 13th Devon, UKSeptember 21st - 22nd Suffolk, VA
Weekend Seminar-Workshop with Marie Riley For More Information October 5th - 6th Fairfield, IowaWeekend Seminar-Workshop with Jim Masterson! Only one this year!! Register early! For More InformationOctober 7th - 11th Fairfield, Iowa5-day Advanced Course
For More Information
All courses are certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork for continuing education credits for massage therapists.
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November 2012 Radio Interview of Jim on the Horse Show with Rick Lamb
Listen to the newest Radio Interview done with Jim on the The Horse Show with Rick Lamb. Here is the link to our website to the In the Mediawebpage for you to listen.
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Another Stunning Success Story from Coralie Hughes, MMCP
I also have another amazing success story. Lumps the size of golf balls near the Sacrotuberous ligament under the tail on both sides. The vet thought it was likely tumors. I noticed when the horse was ridden that she was massively contorted and couldn't track straight and she bucked a lot. I suggested bodywork. I worked on her and they wanted me to come back again because the horse was much better.
The "tumors" turned out to be oddly placed mega muscle knots that were gone when I returned for visit number two. This little mare still has a way to go but that was pretty stunning and totally unexpected.
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Tip of the Month
from Doris Bouchard, MMCP
Keep your focus on the horse's subtle responses as you practice techniques because this will be most important in building awareness as to how your touch connects with the horse.
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Jim on
Linked In
Jim has a new Linked-In page.
Are you on Linked-In and want to link to him?
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