|
Hello All,
“Lake Wobegon”
Well, all’s quiet for the moment here at "Lake Wobegon". The dandelion harvest is going well, and this season’s visiting geese are working out who’s who in the pond and are almost settled in. Annabelle hasn’t been able to take me up to the Cider House yet this spring as she’s got a “creaky” hock. She’s getting up there in years but Docs Lopp and Bergmeier are taking a look and hope to have her and Jeremiah moving better soon. Heavy winds and thunderstorms had some trees and limbs down this last week, but, fortunately, not too many as the straight-line winds cleared most of them out last fall. I heard Tulip Days up in Pella was a success; the food truck festival in nearby Mt. Pleasant got people back out; and we’re ready for spring concerts on the square here in Fairfield.
| |
“Don’t know whether we have a goose problem or a dandelion problem.” | |
“Dandelion harvest is going well.” | |
“Spring thunderstorms in the Midwest” | |
|
"Annabelle and Jeremiah doing their thing..."
(Jim's just along for the ride!)
| |
|
That’s about it for the news here at Lake Wobegon. Don’t want to get your adrenalin up too high, so I’ll stop here.
How to be an Expert
They say that in order to be an expert in any field you have to be from at least 200 miles away. I kind of like that one of the perks of small-town life is the fact that I live less than 200 miles away. It’s quieter and more restful that way.
Well, somebody I’m married to entered the documentary film A Mind Like Still Water in the Washington (Iowa) film festival, which is 30 miles away. I’ll be asked to do an interview for the local newspaper. I don’t mind sharing The Masterson Method® with anybody who wants to hear about it, but this means in order to maintain my credibility I’m going to have to lie about where I live. The nearest cities of any size more than 200 miles away are St. Louis and Kansas City. They’re both kind of neat cities and I don’t mind visiting them (once or twice a decade), but I don’t really want to be from them. I don’t know which one to lie about. I guess small town life can be kind of complicated.
World News
In World News, we had a very good turn-out at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, Wisconsin, last month. We had a couple of Masterson Method demos each day. I went to check out our demo location ahead of time when I got there and was surprised to see they had us in one of the larger arenas. No problem, I thought, we’ll just ask everyone to scoot down here to one end. We also usually plan on having a few Instructors and Assistants working with other horses in there so that everyone can get a closer look at what’s going on. Got another surprise when we came down to do the demo and found that the arena seating was full – and it wasn’t even lunch time. We had a lot of MMCPs, Instructors and horses on hand to help so it worked out well.
| |
“Then you grab ‘em by the neck like this…” | |
Most of the spectators at the Midwest Horse Fair - and also at the Equitana Expo in March - had already heard of, or have been using, MM and were there to learn more. So, the six demos we did over the three days turned out to be more of a progressive training mini-series for interested horse owners. | | |
|
Saw many of the same faces at each demo, which was kind of cool. Thanks to all of the MMCPs, Instructors and horses who were there to help! | |
|
The Man with the Brains
If you want to learn about how the horse thinks, lives, and interacts with humans, you should:
A. Check out Dr. Stephen Peters’ book Evidence Based Horsemanship,
2. Check out the video package Your Horse’s Brain: A User’s Manual at our store,
III. or better yet, attend one of the many clinics he does around the country and the world.
| |
|
If you’re in the UK in June, you can attend Dr. Peters’ second clinic at Ross Dhu Equestrian Centre in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Our Instructor Vicky Devlin will be doing a Masterson Method demonstration there, along with Equine Dentist Josh Milburn who will be talking about teeth.
Dr. Peters does a collaborative clinic with Mark Rashid and Jim Masterson about twice a year; in July at Happy Dog Ranch in Littleton, Colorado; and Big Horse Ranch in Arroyo Grande, California.
Sterling’s Birthday
If you’re wondering who the Big Horse in Big Horse Ranch is, his name’s Sterling, and his 15th birthday was Sunday. Anita Parra owns both the Big Horse and the Ranch. I won’t venture when her birthday is, but Anita is an MMCP and regular host of Mark Rashid clinics, Mark and Jim Show clinics, and now Dr. Peters, Mark and Jim Show clinics. Take a look at Sterling’s Birthday video compilation farther down.
| |
|
Light to The Core coming to the EU and UK
If you’re not yet tired of me talking about our new Light to The Core Seminar-Workshops, or if you are tired of hearing me talk about them in the U.S. but might be interested in hearing about them in Europe, read on…
We have tons of Light to The Core going on in the US and Canada but are now starting them “over there” with one coming up in June in Norfolk in the UK, and if you keep an eye on our Calendar page or on this newsletter, you’ll see one pop up soon in the Netherlands.
As they say in the Netherlands, “Woo hoo!”
There’s a lot more news out there but you’re going to have to hear about it from Natalie down below because I’ve got a rocking chair on the back porch with my name on it, and we’re fixin’ to have a heck of a lightning show come up this evening.
So, as soon as Docs Lopp and Bergmeier show up,
Like me,
Enjoy your horses!
Jim
| |
Sterling's Birthday Video | |
MMCP Gypsy Merritt's First Weekend Seminar | |
|
I had a fantastic weekend teaching The Masterson Method® Weekend Seminar at
Jen Hawkins Holistic Equine Education in Baddaginnie, Victoria.
I have assisted many times over the years with Jim, Vicky and Pam Martin, but this was my first time teaching the weekend seminar myself, and it was fantastic fun. I was quite nervous the night before, but honestly, Jim and the US team make it so easy. With such great material, well thought content, and so much hands on teaching, it is a pleasure to share it with other horse lovers, who by the way ALWAYS are amazed and fall in love with Masterson Method. Now my first course is behind me I hope to teach 2-3 weekend seminars every year in Victoria and maybe next year head to Tasmania to Share MM there.
Big thank you to my coach Pam Martin, and student assistant Silke Molnar for all their help over the weekend, thank you Masterson Method team in the USA, Vicky Devlin and Emma Young for all the encouragement, thank you to a great bunch of students, and thank you to the horses.... they make the world a better place.
Gypsy Merritt, MMCP
| |
Masterson Method Equine Specialist (MMES) Program News | |
We have several MMES courses coming up in May, June, July and September - see our course calendar listings for a course near you. | |
About the Masterson Method Equine Specialist Program
The Masterson Method Equine Specialist specializes in sharing specific light touch Masterson Method techniques with persons served in equine-assisted learning and therapy programs. By doing this bodywork on horses, participants deepen their connection with horses while also gaining self-awareness and self-regulation skills; meanwhile, therapy horses are tended to through simple bodywork and learn a new way of relating to people. It's a win/win!
| |
Masterson Method in Canada | |
|
Here is a report of Masterson Method activities in Canada. Read on...
Remember the 2021 Masterson Method Virtual Educational Conference – and a discussion about MMCPs getting together on a regional basis to practice techniques and support one another through continuing education? This did not fall on deaf ears up here in Canada, as two Ontario MMCPs, Kathy Reid and Kathy Hanneson, got to work and created the Canadian MMCP and Fieldwork Student Group. The group has been meeting monthly on Zoom since June 2021.
This year’s exciting educational program features presentations by group members on important topics such as equine posture, saddle fit, nutrition, and how to work with senior horses. Every presentation is tied to Masterson Method techniques, and discussion periods are included. We have found a creative way to enrich deliberate practice exercises by integrating a presentation on anatomy and common pathologies. The 2023 agenda includes two outside experts. We're excited to spend time this fall with Colorado holistic vet Tomas Teskey, DVM, to learn more about the teeth-hoof-posture connection – in anticipation, some of us already have our noses in Teskey’s book Insight to Equus.
The Masterson Method is quickly growing across Canada, with Weekend and Light to The Core Seminars available in both English and French. With the Advanced 5-Day and Certification Completion Courses also taught here in Canada, we look forward to expanding this platform for continuing education with new fieldwork students and MMCPs.
Our organizing committee plans meeting topics, manages communications, and compiles meeting resources in a Google Drive documentation centre. We are currently working on a mission statement and some operating rules. We would love to share ideas with other regional groups – we can be reached at Canadian.MMCP.FWS.Group@gmail.com.
2023 Organizing Committee: MMCPs Kathy Reid (Ontario), Deanna Drendel (Quebec), Cseni Szabo (British Columbia), Saskia Struik (Alberta), Kathy Hanneson (Ontario), and fieldwork student Colleen Cathcart (Ontario). Report submitted by Kathy Reid.
| |
|
Here is a screen shot of Jim's recent zoom call with our MMCPs in Canada...
Thanks for your commitment to MM!
| |
Masterson Method Comedy Corner | |
Here's a new section in the Newsletter - send in your funny stories or photos and they may be featured here! After all, a giggle a day keeps the horses at play! | |
|
Best Quote from a Weekend Seminar: "Will there be flies?"
Photos from MMCP Anita Chang Vigo's Las Vegas Weekend Seminar:
| |
"Excuse me Human, that's the wrong page for the Bladder Meridian Technique!" | |
|
MMCP and Instructor Sylvie Vallières sent this photo from a recent Weekend Seminar... is that a horse or a giraffe? Now that's a release! | |
May 16th is Horse Rescue Day | |
Give your favorite equine the gift of feeling "Light to the Core!" | |
|
MMCP Stephanie Wilkins shares this story and video from Fabled Farm Rescue and Sanctuary on Facebook:
April and Bryan at Fabled Farm Rescue and Sanctuary put together a great video of the 2 1/2 hour introductory Masterson Method Interactive Demonstration that I recently did for them. What an incredible and selfless organization this is and we all just loved interacting and supporting the animals. If you don't know of this amazing organization please take a look at what they do. It was a pleasure and honor for me to help support their incredible selfless work helping so many animals. I look forward to visiting with them next month to do some full bodywork sessions on many of the horses there.
| |
|
We got this note and photo from JJ a few weeks ago - and it fits right into our Horse Rescue Day celebration!
This is our Ruth - after her first lateral cervical flexion and several minutes of yawning and sneezing, of course. When we adopted Ruth, she was uncertain about all bodywork. Obviously the Masterson Method® is her favorite!
FYI, Ruth is 20 years old, adopted via the Montana Horse Sanctuary to join our miniature donkeys, Russell & Bunny. All 3 were previously together at a different rescue organization 10 years ago. Needless to say, their reunion was very special.
Congratulations to JJ, Ruth, Russell and Bunny!
| |
Newly Certified Practitioners | |
Need help for your horse? Find a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) near you. Our Certified Practitioners are dedicated equine professionals who have acquired highly attuned skills in partnering with the horse to release tension and increase range of motion, thereby restoring healthy posture and performance. Add an MMCP to your horse’s wellness team by visiting the Masterson Method Website to find the closest practitioner to you.
You will find New Practitioners listed here as well as a few who are updating their information. Let us know if you need help finding an MMCP in your area.
| |
|
Willi Schoenung, MMCP
Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
Willi is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner from Germany with a focus on sport and competition horses. As an MMCP, his job is to help horses feel better, move better and perform better.
His passion for the Masterson Method® came when he discovered how gentle but effective these techniques are. What he appreciates most about the Masterson Method is that it is done with the horse rather than on the horse.
Willi is very passionate about his work, has a great feel for horses, a deep understanding of how to help them perform better at their next competition, and has already worked with some of the greatest FEI athletes such as Martin Fuchs and Carina Cassøe Krueth.
His experience includes numerous horses from various disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, eventing, polo, racing, classical dressage, and police horses as well as horses from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
| |
Phone: 491707988022
Email: willischoenung@outlook.com
| |  |
|
Claudia Hagemann, MMCP
Dormagen, NRW, Germany
| | |
 | |
Laura Grant, MMCP
Parker, Colorado
Laura Grant, owner of Heart Connection Equine Bodywork, LLC, was first introduced to horses later in her life in early 2019, volunteering with her husband at an equine assisted therapy ranch. The instructor noticed that she connected with the horses while hand walking during lessons and recommended The Masterson Method® to Laura who then bought Jim’s Beyond Horse Massage book and DVD – the rest is history. Laura saw firsthand the benefits that the therapy horses experienced in being more relaxed and willing during their lessons. In 2020, Laura and her husband adopted a beautiful Morgan horse, Princess Piper who retired from that therapy program due to Kissing Spines. They boarded Piper for a year and a half before Laura convinced her husband that they needed a horse property where they now have four horses, three of which are retired. She has been able to keep her heart horse comfortable and pain free using The Masterson Method® techniques.
While on the certified practitioner journey, Laura’s belief in The Masterson Method® intensified into a passion. Seeing the benefits for the horse and experiencing the “heart connection” (working WITH the horse and not ON the horse) were so fulfilling. After completing fieldwork in early 2023 and while awaiting certification, Laura started her bodywork company and worked with over 30 horses, completing over 80 sessions. Every horse benefited with improvement in comfort, balance, performance, and trust and each horse provided an invaluable learning experience. As an MMCP, that learning journey will continue to help the horse to the greatest extent possible. A side passion for Laura is to share the power of The Masterson Method® as an eventual coach, mentor, and instructor, and to generate interest amongst horses’ humans.
Laura retired from a 25-year career as an Aerospace Engineer (yes, a Rocket Scientist) and was in search of a new purpose. Horses worked their way into her heart and now, she is fully devoted to her brilliant new career as an MMCP, helping horses one horse at a time. Find Laura online at www.heartconnectionequine.
com and on Facebook (search for Heart Connection Equine Bodywork).
| | |
 | |
Kerstin Lausen, MMCP
Bargteheide, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Even as a child, I was fascinated by horses. Their warm smell triggers a comforting feeling in me to this day.
After graduating, I finally had the opportunity to turn my enthusiasm for horses into a regular hobby. I started with riding lessons, which became more intensive, riding partnerships came along and after a few years my own horse. And this horse of my heart took me on a journey that was as unexpected as it was wonderful.
During an injury break, I was looking for a gentle way to help the horse with tension and later to dissolve compensation patterns. I discovered the Masterson Method®, which I would not want to miss today. After reading the book, watching videos and self-study, I enrolled in the weekend seminar in May 2021 and completed the Certification Course as a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner in April 2023. The training was very exciting, educational and intense. During this time, my view on many topics such as training, hoof care or feeding has changed significantly once again – especially due to the search for the Primary Issue.
The Masterson Method® is very effective in increasing the agility, well-being and performance of horses. What convinced me even more was how horses change when we listen to them with the Masterson Method®. We learn to read the horses carefully, pay attention to the smallest changes, body language, facial expressions, breathing – and connect with the horses in a very special way. These powerful, noble animals are grateful for this. In this combination of professional bodywork and the connection to the horse lies for me the key to the lasting effect of the Masterson Method®.
| |
Phone: +49 15129269282
Email: lausenk@web.de
| | |
|
Interested in taking a course? Here are a few testimonials that might convince you!
If you have any interest in doing body work with horses and want to dramatically improve the lives of horses as well as your own life, you must do this course.
(Weekend Seminar)
Logical, easy to understand, a great non-invasive method to help horses feel better in their bodies.
(Advanced 5-Day Course)
It’s about learning to listen, pay attention, connect. It’s a deep dive.
(Light to the Core Seminar)
| |
Weekend Seminar-Workshop Schedule | |
* If the course you had your heart set on is sold out, please email jo@mastersonmethod.com to be added to the waiting list.
Worried about COVID19? Read our COVID precautions and info here:
| | |
|
USA 2023 Courses
May 20-21 Fort Collins, CO
May 20-21 Redmond, WA
May 20-21 Chattanooga, TN
June 3-4 Pequot Lakes, MN
June 3-4 Milo, IA
June 3-4 Youngsville, NC
June 3-4 Pipersville, PA
June 10-11 Ceres, CA
June 17-18 Dexter, MI
June 17-18 Los Angeles, CA
June 24-25 Natural Bridge, VA
June 30-July 1 Brush Prairie, WA
July 15-16 Middleboro, MA
July 22-23 Litchfield, ME
July 22-23 Coatesville, IN
July 29-30 Brigham City, UT
August 5-6 Buxton, ME
August 5-6 Tunnel Hill, GA
August 12-13 Cleveland, NC
August 19-20 Portola Valley, CA
August 19-20 Callaway, MD
August 26-27 Fort Collins, CO
August 26-27 Custer, SD
September 2-3 Las Vegas, NV
September 9-10 Kiowa, CO
September 16-17 Mooresville, NC
September 16-17 Redmond, WA
September 16-17 Dickson, TN
September 23-24 Houston, TX
September 30-October 1
Norton Shores, MI
October 14-15 Salado, TX
October 21-22 Knoxville, IA
October 21-22 Fayette, MO
October 21-22 Lothian, MD
Canada 2023 Courses
May 20-21 Kelowna, BC
May 27-28 Mono, ON
June 10-11 Ascot Corner, QC
(in French)
August 26-27 Château-Richer, QC
September 23-24 Paquetville, NB
September 30-October 1
Calgary, AB
September 30-October 1
Millgrove, ON
October 8-9 Richmond, QC
(in French)
October 21-22 Langley, BC
Canada 2024 Courses
June 1-2 Puslinch, ON
| | |
|
Asia 2023 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
Australia & New Zealand 2023 Courses
July 8-9 Queensland, AU
August 5-6 Fish Creek, VIC, AU
August 19-20 Elimbah, AU
September 23-24 Dunedin, NZ
European 2023 Courses
May 20-21 Warwickshire, UK
May 22-23 Ruinerwold, NL (in Dutch)
June 3-4 Broby, Denmark (in English)
June 17-18 Rzeszyce, Poland (in Polish)
June 24-25 South Lanarkshire, Scotland
July 1-2 Meerbusch, Germany
(in German)
July 1-2 Hartwerd, NL (in Dutch)
July 15-16 Hertfordshire, UK
August 12-13 Klosterneuburg-Weidling, Austria
(in English w/German translation)
August 12-13 Lanškroun, Czech Republic (in Czech)
September 2-3 Egestorf, Germany
(in German)
September 7-8 Ruinerwold, NL
(in Dutch)
September 9-10 Tübingen-Pfrondorf, Germany
(in German)
September 16-17 Ouwerkerk, NL
(in Dutch)
September 16-17 Brockenhurst, UK
September 23-24 Orcemont, FR
October 7-8 Braňany, Czech Republic (in Czech)
October 7-8 Terradelles, Spain
(in English with Spanish translation)
October 21-22 Vorden, NL
(in Dutch)
Middle East 2023 Courses
June 21-22 Nitzane Oz, Israel
(in Hebrew and English)
South Africa 2023 Courses
(check back for upcoming courses)
| |
Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule | |
|
USA 2023 Advanced Courses
May 22-26 Watsonville, CA with Sandy Vreeburg
May 29-June 2 Chattanooga, TN with Kathy Tow
June 12-16 Watsonville, CA with Sandy Vreeburg
June 12-16 Youngsville, NC with Khrystynna Hunsinger
September 18-22 Watsonville, CA with Sandy Vreeburg
October 2-6 Coatesville, IN with Coralie Hughes
October 23-27 Tucson, AZ with Vanessa Helvey
November 6-10 Austin, TX with Becky Tenges
December 4-8 Las Vegas, NV with Sandy Vreeburg
European 2023 Advanced Courses
July 17-21 Hertfordshire, UK with Vicky Devlin
August 14-18 Oberhausen, Austria with Vicky Devlin
(in English and German as needed)
August 21-25 Aßlar-Oberlemp, Germany with Walter Saxe (in German)
September 18-22 New Milton, Hampshire, UK with Vicky Devlin
October 4-8 Schalkhaar, NL with Masja Fick (in Dutch)
October 16-20 Egestorf, Germany with Walter Saxe (in German)
Canada 2023 Advanced Courses
August 21-25 Calgary, AB with Lori Hoppe
Australia & New Zealand 2023 Courses
October 16-20 Victoria, AU with Vicky Devlin
October 23-27 Elimbah, QLD, AU with Vicky Devlin
South Africa 2023 Courses
(Check back for upcoming Advanced 5-day Courses)
| |
Certification Completion Course Schedule | | |
|
USA 2023 Courses
June 19-20 Coatesville, IN
with Coralie Hughes
August 5-8 Watsonville, CA
with Sandy Vreeburg
September 25-26 Houston, TX
with Becky Tenges
Canada 2023 Courses
September 23-24 Kelowna, BC
with Lori Hoppe
| | |
|
European 2023 Courses
May 24-26 Horley, UK
with Vicky Devlin
May 27-29 Horley, UK
with Vicky Devlin
July 6-8 Egestorf, Germany
with Walter Saxe
(in German and English)
September 23-25 Brockenhurst, UK with Vicky Devlin
Australia & New Zealand 2023 Courses
October 28-30 Samford Valley, QLD, AU with Vicky Devlin
| |
Masterson Method Light to the Core Schedule | | |
|
USA 2023 Courses
May 27-28 West Fulton, NY
June 24-25 Victor, ID
July 22-23 Seneca, SC
September 2-3 Liberty Lake, WA
September 23-24 Vass, NC
November 4-5 Cottonwood, CA
December 2-3 Vass, NC
European 2023 Courses
June 3-4 Norfolk, UK
| | |
|
Canada 2023 Courses
May 21-22 Richmond, QC
(in French)
June 3-4 Abbotsford, BC
June 24-25 Guelph, ON
June 24-25 Calgary, AB
September 3-4 Saint-François-Xavier-de-Brompton, QC
(in French)
September 16-17
Campbell River, BC
Canada 2024 Courses
April 20-21, 2024 Calgary, AB
May 4-5, 2024 Rockwood, ON
| |
Masterson Method Equine Specialist Schedule | |
Masterson Method Collaborative Clinics | |
USA 2023 Collaborative Clinics
with Dr. Stephen Peters, Mark Rashid and Jim Masterson
| |
Masterson Method Expos and Demos | |
"Absorbine’s relationship with The Masterson Method® is a natural fit. Jim’s breakthrough but simple concepts are all focused on helping the horse to relieve tension, feel more comfortable and improve their relationships with owners and handlers.”
~ Amy Cairy, Director of Marketing,
W. F. Young, manufacturers of Absorbine products
| |
THE MASTERSON METHOD®
641-472-1312
| |
|
| | | |
