Masterson Method May 2024 Equine Newsletter

May 2024 Equine Newsletter

Hello All,

Travel Past

A lot of stuff has happened since we last talked. Just as last month’s newsletter was going out I was getting onto a plane to teach a Beyond Horse Massage Weekend Course in Barcelona, Spain. The people, the weather, the host, and the facility were amazing. Our MMCP in Barcelona, Sonia Bascuñana (who is also amazing), organized the course. You can read more about all the international travel in Vicky's section below. Thank you to Sonia, Vicky Devlin, Alex Gache and Leah Nissim for making this trip such as success. It was a fun trip!

Jim telling a joke...

...Horse getting the joke!

Returned just last week from Monterey, CA where instructors Lise Lunde, Sandy Vreeburg and I hooked up with two talented and inspiring film-makers for an upcoming documentary that explores the miracles, mystery and science of healing with horses.

Dana Croshere and Krisanna Sexton. All I can say is, if you click on only one link in this newsletter, click on this one to see some of their other beautiful and inspiring work, and a preview of their upcoming documentary Rescued Hearts.

(Then click on all the other ones : )

Travel Future

Coming up June 7 – 9 I’ll be doing demonstrations (the good kind) at the Western States Horse Expo in Rancho Murieta, CA. Dressage Naturally Trainer Karen Rohlf will also be doing clinics there. I just did a fun podcast with Karen that you can listen to here: dressagenaturally.net (Episode 189).

Speaking of rescuing, May 16 has been designated (by somebody) as Horse Rescue Day. A worthwhile day. I just looked it up. The annual Horse Rescue Day was initiated by the New South Wales RSPCA to bring awareness to animal welfare the world over. If you’re looking for an equine partner, start the search for a rescue that fits you at one of hundreds if not thousands of horse rescues around the world.

Now

Our mare Annabelle passed this winter, leaving us to share our morning coffee with her brother Jeremiah. It’s taken him (and us) a while to start to get over this, but we’ve been enjoying the extra attention Jeremiah’s been getting as much as he is, and he’s enjoying our extended morning grooming and coffee routine.

Coffee and Grooming Then

Coffee and Grooming Now

I'm already handsome, thank you!

Timmy wants in on the grooming!

Read on for more uplifting and interesting stuff, and I’ll fill you in on what’s going on again next month.

Until then, like me

Enjoy grooming and coffee with your horses,

Jim

Light...Lighter...Lightest

Light to the Core

This month we are featuring the use of light touch techniques.

This can be especially useful when working with rescue horses, who might be restricted physically, or feel especially vulnerable based on their life experiences.

So read on - we've got:

Light to the Core video intro from Jim
A sale on Light to the Core streaming - 20% off!
A video of a Light Touch Technique
Rescue Blog - Masterson Method Community to the Rescue
A Message from MOM (Masterson Overseas Manager)

Light to the Core Intro

Light to the Core Video Streaming Sale

What: LTC Streaming (Available Worldwide)

When: May 16-26, 2024

How Much: 20% off!

The Light to the Core video teaches us how to use gentle techniques to release accumulated tension, strain, and stress deep within our horse’s bodies.

It’s also a wonderful way of deeply connecting with your horse.

Delve into 145 minutes of video content (including 3-D graphics), helping you understand the interconnections of the horse's body and where light touch can be most effective. Jim ends the video with ideas for problem-solving common behavior and performance issues. What could be better?

The video is the prerequisite to the Light to the Core course, so if you’ve been thinking about doing an in-person course and haven’t yet purchased the video, now’s your chance!

Order Now!

Light to the Core Technique

Using only light touch, Jim is able to help this horse release tension - notice this stretch from nose to tail (we can't see the tail part!). When we stay below the bracing response light enough and long enough, the horse HAS to release. As Jim says, "It's the law."

Rescue Blog

Horses are magnificent creatures that possess a unique energy and spirit that captures our hearts. However, their lives can sometimes take a turn for the worse, and they can end up in situations of neglect or abuse. In honor of Horse Rescue Day, we're resharing our previous blog featuring heart-warming stories of rescued horses who have gone on to lead happy and fulfilling lives thanks to the dedication of The Masterson Method Community!

Rescue Blog

A Message from MOM!!

You may be wondering what this is about - Vicky Devlin is our Masterson Overseas Manager - aka MOM! She has been instrumental in helping with Jim's overseas events.

A little news from Vicky Devlin

It's all happening Over There

Over there is often what Jim calls overseas (meaning outside North America and Canada). We have had a busy year so far and boy has it been fun. We started the year with the first MMES course in the UK. Lise Lunde and Megan Dushin came over the pond to teach at The Fortune College in the New Forest, and from that class we already have two newly certified MMES practitioners. Thank you to Lise and Megan for making the trip and to MMCP Linda Underwood for her superb organization.

We have had courses in the UK, Germany, Austria, Poland, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Japan, Denmark and …… Spain.

Jim took a trip over to do a public demo and teach a weekend in Barcelona, Spain while he was over this way for the MMCP Gathering in the UK. It was a very full class with 20 students. Thank you Sonia, for finding such an amazing facility at Villa Equus.

Next up was the MMCP Gathering in the UK. I attended the Gathering in Arizona in January and met Daniel Dauphin, who mentioned he had never been to the UK. After very little persuasion he booked his flight so he could present at the UK Gathering. I quickly adjusted the schedule, added on an extra half day and we were all set.

This was a super event - we had presentations from Gillian Higgins on the Lumbo-Sacral junction, Dr. Tom Beech (the Osteopathic Vet) on digestion, geld scars and ovary issues, MMCP Liz VanRoss owner of Normandy Equine Alignment Horse, Stefan Hamm on saddle fit, Daniel Dauphin on bits and of course, Jim Masterson on how to make a horse yawn repeatedly.

We had MMCP’s from all over the world attend, including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Thank you to all who came and made this an incredible meeting of minds. We learned a lot, laughed a lot and I can’t wait until the next one.

Coaching in the UK

We just did a coaching weekend for 16 students in the UK. Thank you Alex Gache from Lomond Classical Riding Centre for hosting this event. Alex supplied the horses … all 34 of them!! Hats off to our coaches, Leigh Jackson, Sam Naylor, Cathy Koetsier, Tomoko Sembongi, Sarah Butcher and Rosie Lewin. You do a great job!

Japan

We would like to wish Tomoko and Hiroshi Sembongi a safe trip back to Japan. Tomoko translated the Beyond Horse Massage book into Japanese and is the instructor for Japan. She has been living in the UK for many years and has finally decided to move back home to spend time with family and show the Japanese how to make horses yawn repeatedly. Tomoko has helped me with many of my courses and coaching groups … Thank you Tomoko and good luck to you both. You make a great team and we will miss you.

Vicky

Left to right:

Hiroshi, Tomoko, Jim somebody, Vicky

It's been Reel-y Interesting this month!

MMCP Leah Nissim has been busy recording Masterson Method events in Barcelona and the UK. We hope you enjoy this reel - thank you Leah!

Here's some fun in Barcelona at the Weekend Course...

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.

Susanne Spiess, MMCP

Zürich, Switzerland

Su lives in Switzerland near Zurich. Her great passion is observing the behavior of horses and the interactions in herds, as well as working respectfully with her own and other horses.

Read Susanne's Full Bio

Cassady Swan Jurasevich, MMCP

Eugene, Oregon

I have always had an overwhelming love for horses and did everything I could to be around them growing up. I am the only person in my family to own horses and made that dream come to fruition at 24 when I got my first horse, Jamir, pictured with me here. He is the reason I got into equine bodywork.

Read Cassady's Full Bio

Angela Lehwald, MMCP

Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

Angela has had ‘horse fever’ for as long as she can remember. A native of Vancouver Island, B.C., her grade school years were spent riding, learning as much as she could about everything horse and attending 4H, Pony Club and local competitions.

Read Angela's Full Bio

Kimberly Allen, MMCP

Lac Brome (Knowlton), Quebec, Canada

Kimberly has always loved horses. Growing up in British Columbia, Canada, she was begging her parents from the time she could walk to let her pet any horse or donkey she saw. Lucky for her, her parents indulged this passion and frequently drove to visit friends that owned a horse ranch where she could hang out with horses all day.

Read Kimberly's Full Bio

Newly Certified Equine Specialists

Our Certified Equine Specialists have worked through an abbreviated certification program designed to be accessible and relevant for equine-assisted services (EAS) professionals and volunteers. The MMES can volunteer to offer simple bodywork to EAS horses and/or partner with their EAS program to co-facilitate a new equine-assisted learning activity, such as the Bladder Meridian Technique, as a means for participants to “give back to the horse” while also creating connection.

Follow this link to search for Specialists in your area: MMES Map

Hela Baer, MMES

Arlington, Virginia

I’ve been spending time in horses’ company for the past 25 years and have especially valued developing meaningful relationships with them. I’ve worked with horses in different countries and settings, and was delighted to find an approach to equine bodywork that focused on attuning to the horses’ needs and prioritizing their autonomy and wellness in horse-human interactions.

Read Hela's Full Bio

Shaina Strikwerda, MMES

Holland, Michigan

I am excited to share my learnings as a new MMES at Renew Therapeutic Riding Center of Holland, MI where I am a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) through PATH Intl.

Read Shaina's Full Bio