Hello All,
As you open this newsletter, I will still be in the UK having just finished my presentations at the, "Your Horse Live" Expo. We had a lot fun there - all ten of my assistants - and
me. I had seven of our certified practitioners helping, two instructors and afifteen-year-old enthusiastic Masterson Method fan. Thanks to all! Here is a picture of one of my presentations. Fortuitously, there was a Donkey Rescue organization there with a volunteer in a donkey mascot suit, and I convinced her to be my "horse" to show the bladder meridian. It was fun and we all enjoyed a good laugh.
Visiting Horse World in Bristol, UK
I am now visiting my very good friends at the Horse World rescue organization in Bristol, UK for five days of courses. I've been coming here since 2006 when Pen Gunter set up our first seminar in England. It's been two years since I have been back, but it's as if I've just left last week, they're so accommodating and efficient. For over 60 years they've been doing a tremendous amount of good re-homing horses. Thanks, Jerry, Joanne and all of the Horse World staff for the work you do
Absorbine - The Horses World's Most Trusted Name
We have an announcement from Absorbine (WF Young Co.) below that I think will change the future of our organization. Jamie McKinley of W. F. Young makers of Absorbine and Equine America products contacted me about the offer of sponsorship. I have been approached before by other companies, but didn't feel comfortable about those offers. When WF Young contacted me, I felt confident as I genuinely use and like their products.
At their invitation, Conley and I flew to their headquarters to meet with their team, as I felt that it was important that we also like the people behind the products. We were both very impressed with the level of professionalism, but also were charmed by the "family" feel as it is a 5th generation, family owned business.
We are excited by their clear eyed view and holistic approach of helping the connectivity between the horse and care giver paired with years of expertise and experience as the "The Horse World's Most Trusted Name" will lend credibility and authenticity to our collaborative relationship. We are looking forward to the roll-out of their new botanical line of products and by our common goals of putting the horse's health and comfort first. Read below the official announcement from Absorbine, and look for their logo on our site.
Check Out Our App
I've asked Cindee Van Dijk, our General Manager, to write something about the new Masterson Method App. We are excited about using this technology to help you, the horse owner in getting information and training via something you can hold in your hand, and take into the stalls. I'm such a non-techie that she had to help me to download it. Knowing that I am probably not alone, I've asked Cindee to describe the app to all of us. Read her post below. This is a good start, and gives us a platform to which we can begin adding more educational stuff.
Continuing Education Credits in Ireland
Lastly, a couple items about our presence in Europe: We are now certified by the Irish Massage Therapist Association for continuing education credits. This will be good for human massage therapists who would like to spend some quality learning time with horses. We are now looking into available accreditation in the UK. We will keep you posted. Here in the US, we are accredited by the NCBTMB for continuing education credits.
Absorbine Sponsored Seminar with Auditors! 
Next week Coralie Hughes and I - with the assistance of Monica Goold, MMCP from France - will teach a two-day seminar-workshop in Alpenrod, Germany. This will be our first sponsored event by Absorbine and our first with a new and exciting seminar format - allowing for auditors for the first time. The Seminar-Workshop will be the same, but it will be viewable by a larger group of people. Excited about this.
After the course, Coralie and I will be heading up to the German Equestrian Federation or FN, and then spending the weekend in Cologne as guests of the Buck Branaman clinic. I understand that they've sold over 1000 spectator tickets, with 70 on the waiting list to participate in the clinic. I can remember long ago when Buck came yearly to a ranch near our town in Iowa where a small, dedicated group sat on hay bales in a cramped (and cold) indoor arena to watch his skill and expertise. Looking forward to experiencing this event.
With this spectator format in mind, we just visited a fabulous facility at Dovecote Stables in the UK. Established by Emily Jane Baker, Emily is an international trainer who trains regularly at the TTT (Training The Teachers of Tomorrow Trust) and hosts events by the likes of clinicians such as Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, and Jose Luis Valdes, Director of the VDC Stud in Spain.The facility is set up with a sound system and heated viewing room. (If Emily and the level of clinicians at her facility don't impress you, the heating system in England in the winter definitely will!)
Well, that's about it. All in all, an exciting month.
Right now I'm sitting by the fireplace in the cottage here in Somerset, finishing this newsletter, and feeling like a struggling Victorian novelist - except for the smelly boots by the door reminding me that I have to get ready for tomorrow at Horse World. I will let you know how that goes.
Like me, enjoy your horses
Jim
PS. I almost forgot to mention (it must be the woodsmoke from the fireplace muddling my brain) that we have three new Masterson Method Certified Practitioners highlighted in this newsletter from the US. We have a couple more to highlight next month and a group from the UK too. Please welcome, Ronda, Janice and Pat as practitioners. You won't go wrong with any one of these capable women. Read below what brought them to the Masterson Method.
