When you read this I will be "tipping back a cold one" in a pub in England.  We scheduled two weekend courses and two Advanced 5-day courses and a Final Certification 3-Day course back-to-back. That's a good enough reason to "tip one back" considering it's seventeen straight days of teaching


Luckily, I have great help here in the UK from my certified practitioners and instructors.  Talking about instructors, I wanted to announce a new instructor for Australia/New Zealand; Toni Horsely.  I am really happy about adding an instructor to take over the weekend foundational courses "down under."  She's here now helping me with the weekend and Advanced courses.  For those of you in Australia, keep your eyes peeled to the calendar page for upcoming weekend courses.  If you have a location for a weekend course, please fill out the information on Hosting a Seminar webpage.  I am hoping that we can get enough interest for Advanced Courses there leading to Certification in the Masterson Method.  Read more about her below.


In the midst of all this, I just bought a plane.  It's a Cessna 170 taildragger that I will be able to fly to seminars.  It's my passion and it's nice to be able to combine this with teaching seminars.  It's been hard handling all the logistics from the UK, with spotty cell phone and wi-fi service, but it's all working out. When I get home, I will fly out to California to pick it up and fly it back to Iowa.  I hope to fly it to the Street, MD 5-Day course and to the Denver 5-Day.


Martha Cook at Trafalgar Square Publishing (Horse and Rider Books) is ready to receive the manuscript of the companion book to Dressage Movements Revealed, DVD.  We shot the rest of the pictures for the Bodywork Step-by-Step part before I left for the UK using Conley's horse, Primo.  Primo stood like a statue for the camera most of the time without needing to be held: Camera shy he is not!  With only ten days before I have to leave again, I will be closeted at home finishing writing and completing all the logistics of photos and illustrations.  Luckily, my co-author, Coralie Hughes has worked hard, making my part easier. 


With only a limited time stateside, I am again heading overseas to the Alltech FEI  World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France for the Endurance Championships.  Absorbine (W.F. Young) has partnered with me and is helping me and the US Endurance Team by covering the cost of my travel and lodging to the Games.  I will be writing every day from the Games, giving an 'insiders' look and following the excitement of the WEG on the Facebook page for Absorbine and for those that follow our Masterson Method Facebook page.


Talking about Absorbine, take a look at their new Absorbine Biotanical™ line of natural herbal products.  I am really impressed with their products.  This was quoted from me for their catalog of products:  "With horses, as with human athletes, repetitive work, soreness in feet and legs, or compensation for any discomfort can create muscle tension patterns in the body that affect performance, comfort and can add to psychological and emotional strain. Absorbine liniments not only help relieve soreness in tense muscles, but when applied to tendons and joints of the legs, can reduce tension, one of the primary causes of soreness of the body.  One reason I like the full range of Absorbine products is that they support this holistic approach toward improved performance, comfort, and relationship with your horse."  I stand by what I said here.


Another piece of good news.  We have opened up the Anatomy Course (officially titled: Equine Musculo-Skeletal Performance Anatomy Course) to everyone.  This self-study course was created by Masterson Method Instructors Lisa Haldane and Vanessa Helvey with the technical and professional oversight of Lacy Crowley, DVM, for those that were following our certification path.  Read more below and to sign up.  I really encourage everyone to have a working knowledge of anatomy, and this course fits right into that vision.

We have a few new Certified Practitioners that finished in May; Mary Ohashi and Laura Pheasant.  Read their bios below.

Click here to learn more about Toni Horsley

This is so much more than a course in memorizing anatomical structures.  Students completing this course will have deeply explored four terrific texts that will become career-long useful references for the equine bodyworker while developing skills of observation and description in practical field exercises. 

From beginners with limited equine knowledge to experienced equestrians and bodywork practitioners there is something for everyone. 

Click here to learn more about New Masterson Method based Anatomy Course for all Horse Lovers

Dear Mr. Masterson (Jim)

I'm writing to thank you for sharing your work and techniques through your book "Beyond Horse Massage". I have a sensitive mare who has tested positive for EPSM. Changes in diet and exercise have helped immensely but we are still in a balancing act as we try to manage her continuing pain and discomfort. She gets chiropractic and I've tried many many massage techniques on her myself with poor results as often she can barely tolerate being touched.

Click here to read more

Dear Jim,