Masterson Method - Intergrated Equine Performance Bodywork

thebundychick · Masterson Method - Intergrated Equine Performance Bodywork

Hi Guys

I just wanted to start a thread for anyone doing the Masterson method (or any other similar kind of bodywork) on their horse

I bought the DVD a few weeks ago - and detailed my first real session with him on another thread:

"Don't know whether to start this as a new thread. But WOW what a day.

I watched the massage DVD again last night - and managed to see sante for a few hours today. Remembered my halter and leadrope this time - so actually got to have a decent go at the massage

I started with the Bladder Meridian release - his response today was immediate. Yesterday I wasn't sure whether i was doing it right, but he must have done a lot of releasing after i left. I was only half way down his neck and his eyes were closedd, head lowered. Had a good release on the left hand whither, worked all the way down to his sacroiliac - near where those two funny "bumps" (injury) are, and he gave a nice release.

Then started on the other side. Did lots of releasing all the way down to his right shoulder - and then gave me every indicator I needed to know that this stuff actually works - I stood for about 3-4 minutes simply with my hands on the front face of his right scapula, and he yawned, and yawned, and yawned and yawned. I'm talking ten yawns all in a row, one after the other. It was amazing. I gave him time out, and then started again - working down to the same location where the two raised bumps are - again a nice strong release.

After doing the two meridians, I then went back and did the diagonals again, left shoulder, right hind, right shoulder, left hind x 2.

At one stage i was fairly sure he was going to fall over. I'm serious. Eyes were closed and he was swaying. He was putty in my hands!!

I absolutely love this! Its amazing the changes in just one decent session ( and a practise run)"

I've done probably three or four sessions since this - ONLY doing the bladder meridian release. (I want to write notes on all the other releases before I do them as I don't want to do them wrong)

And every time we do them, he gives really good releases. He has a LOT of tension in his HQ, especially on his left hand side, and constantly positions himself infront of me with his left hip "in my face" as if to say "right here - its sore here!!"

i'm finding the more I shutup and listen, the more he tells me.

This is increadibly powerful stuff. So glad to have found it

Does anyone else have any experiences with it?

Mandy'sMarty

Mandy'sMarty

This is Mandy immediately after a body work session. Photo taken Jan. 2009.
She is enjoying an extended stretch. Standing almost square...her right front is still tight from probable adhesions in the fascia at right withers. Probably from an old injury.
Note the expression on her face. Priceless.

learningthedance

It doesn't get any better then that. That look just say's it all. LOL

I LOVE this stuff, and yes, the quieter I get the better. Didn't know I had to whisper so softly, and even that is sometimes too much. The opposite of Stephanie Burns "move closer-stay longer". I had to back up and limit my sessions. Very powerful stuff!

thebundychick

Sante's back, pre treatment (he has ALWAYS had that big lump just in frong of the sacroiliac)

His back after a few treatments:

The changes in his back are astronomical

Conley Wright · Masterson Method DVD

Hi There,

I spoke with Jim Masterson about your horse, and he suggested that you go to the website and take a look at the Discussion Forum for ideas for your horse. He didn't see the photo, but you might want to post a question there. His team is scheduling a trip to Australia and New Zealand in 2012, so plan on taking one of his 2-day "hands-on" workshops! You can find out more by checking the calendar on the website or singing up for the newsletter.

Also, his book will be out in November - hard back and spiral bound so you can take it into the stall with you.....which sounds like this will be perfect for you.

Don't worry too much about doing it "wrong" Always follow the horse's lead - watching for a blink, a fidget, and then stay lightly on that spot until you get a release. If you don't get a release, go LIGHTER, not heavier. Soon you will be able to "read" your horse and the communication just becomes deeper and more fulfilling! Good luck to you. Conley Wright

thebundychick · Re: Masterson Method DVD

thebundychick

So!!!!

Yesterday, I did the TMJ release on Sante.

He's got himself a NASTY case of mud fever / greasy heel - and its prooving difficult to get rid of, as a consequence, he's getting really shitty about my constant fussing over his legs.

In order to combat this, I get the "nasty stuff" out of the way, and then follow up with a nice massage afterwards to "make up" for the painful stuff.

Anyway, yesterday i did the TMJ release, for the first time. Jim describes it on his youtube video's as a fairly boring one, one that you have to just wait.. and wait...

I started on the LHS. And waited, and waited. The eyes shut, the nose & lips started wrinkling and flinching, the head started rocking - flew up, flew down, and then a lick & a chew, followed by another, and another.

I stepped back, gave him a minute, and then repeated on the other side.

Exact same response.

So I stepped back, gave him a minute, and then stood in front of him, with my fingers on both sides of the TMJ joint.

Again, the head flew up, flew down, eyes shut, lips & nose wrinkling, head started rocking from side to side (like as though he couldn't hold the weight of his own head) and then he yawned. And yawned, And yawned... .. and yawned... .. .. over & over... Ocasionally he would shake he head, and then go back to yawning - i'm talking eyes rolling back in his head, tongue touching his eyes (joke) YAWNING.

I simply had an egg yolk pressure the whole time, and stayed with him as he did this - when the yawning finish, i felt all the muscles in his neck tighten & release in spasm, and even into his chest. Then everything went loose, and he stood there like he was sedated.

I just took a step back and let him be

I. Love. This.

bit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmPvt43fTtg
Thanks for posting this. Can't wait to give it a try. Ok, I can. It's 91 out, but a little later I'll head out. I'm better Hawkie could benefit, but will give it to everyone if they are into it. I'll neet a stool for Shaun.
ps Wish Jim would make it out this way to Kansas area. I'd love to take a clnic.
ok, pps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqLpW67XELI

misstux

He's giving a clinic for horse owners out my way the end of next month and it is a weekend that I have been committed to doing something else for a long time. I'd much rather do this, but am a person of my word, so I have decided to enjoy myself at the fundraiser.

bit

Went out and did the tmj release on Gunner. Nice release. Then I did Bit. Just the tinest flicker from her eyes on both sides, did the tinest side ways release on her mouth. Tiny. Nothin', I got nothin'. Right after, I moved over to Hawk and we're talking. I look over and Bit is yawning, shaking her head, eyes rolling back in her head, yawning, yawning, shaking, more eye rolling. Biggest release I've ever seen! Ya'll gotta try this one! Careful on that side mouth thing. Just a little. Waaaaaay cool!

thebundychick

Mandy'sMarty

About a year ago, I offered Mandy a brief facial massage and TMJ release when she was avoiding her halter bridle and bit for awhile. Later I realized she was avoiding taking the bit into her mouth because of a sharp tooth edge. In spite of that sharp point, Mandy learned to relax and accept the bit after her facial massage and TMJ release. Later still, after having her teeth floated and all sharp points removed, Mandy continued to initially avoid the halter bridle and bit until I offered her facial massage and TMJ release. Soon it dawned on me that she was insisting that she get that facial massage and TMJ release before accepting any tack on her face. Ever since then, Mandy gets a brief but special Reiki session with both of my hands gently cradling her TMJ's on each side of her face. After a few seconds, she relaxes and allows me to install her halter bridle and then accepts the bit.
Mandy has trained me to maintain this sequence...or else.

Copious_Amour

MissTux: Can you pm or post the information about him going out to your farm next month? Being laid up I will have plenty of time to do some learning and would love to see him

misstux

Emili, the seminar's not going to be at Leap of Faith, he's going to be in Palo Alto. Just check his website http://www.mastersonmethod.com/20.../cat.listevents/2011/06/27/-.html

thebundychick

So today - did the BM release on Rebel. I dont' think she's EVER had ANY form of Chiro / Massage. Being a work horse used for mustering I figured she'd have to have a few knots in there.

Boy was I right.

I'd started simply by grooming her, and thought she might benefit from a TMJ release. She really REALLY didn't like it. I quietly persisted for about 5 minutes, but she fought the whole time, threw her head up and down, pawed, paced, and tried to avoid the contact.

So i quit. I decided she wasn't relaxed enough for it, and wouldn't benefit from it until I'd done the BM release.

I left her alone for about 10 minutes, and then tried again with the BM release.

INSTANT reaction.

I was no more than 10cm down her neck when she started to respond, she tossed her head in the air and started to Flehmen (spelling?) her head came down and she immediately licked and chewed.

I slowly continued down her back, she was all locked up in the shoulder and then again in the whither. It took a LONG time for her to release those tensions, she would do a single lick and chew, then her face would harden again, and she would give another single lick and chew, and so on. The furhter down her back I went the more tense she got - and the more extreme the releases. In the beginning, when she was starting to get used to the feeling - she kept looking at Sante, and just before she released she would pin her ears at him, or look at him - I found that ver odd, that she constantly keep throwin looks at him, when he was standing stock still, asleep.

She Constantly shifted her weight, at one stage she actually picked up and put down all four feet in quick succession, front feet then back feet. Releasing her sacroiliac - she kept pushing her hips around, as in rotating them, and shifting her weight from one foot to the other, her face showed a lot - her eyes were drooped a lot, her lips & nose twitched a lot.

Sometimes she would tuck her head really suddenly into her neck, and then release, other times she stamped her foot and swished her tail and then released. Doing her sacroilic the second time she actually arched her hips INTO my fingers.

She yawned a lot, she shook her head a lot. I noticed that on the second sweep of the BM release all her joints started loosening up - she creaked every time she moved! It was phenominal! Everytime she picked up a foot, or shifted her weight, all the joints involved in that movement creaked or "clicked" as if they were realigning.

Very powerful stuff today. She is very tight in scapula, whithers and HQ

Some photo's to show the "happy stance"

thebundychick

I have bought the new book & DVD. Can't WAIT for them to arrive

thebundychick

So!

The new book & DVD arrived!!

For anyone who has the first DVD, and had questions regarding it - you will get a TREMENDOUS amount out of the second DVD.

its almost as if Jim did a survey of people who had the first DVD, took into account all their questions and feedback, and then made the second DVD to compliment the first.

THEN there is the book that goes with the second DVD. Excellent!

Clearly laid out, LOTS of pictures breaking down the techniques.

Honestly guys - you don't need to have any experience with this in order to have success.

I went out yesterday afternoon and did some bodywork on Sante, I did the BM release, and both forms of the poll adjustment as well as the whither quiver.

It was a bit tricky - as its our summer here, and the flies were quite annoying, but all that aside - I STILL had raving success.

Got really good releases from his neck and sacroilliac in the BM release, and for the first time got releases running down the semitendinosus area.

Found the first poll release a bit tricky (Lateral Cervical Flexion) wasn't sure i was doing it right, but persisted, did the left, waited, then did the right, and just as i got to the lowest vertebrae, there was a very soft "pop", and Sante' just softened. I let him go, and he did the release that Uno did on the video - really shook out his neck and head, and yawned several times.

That really got my confidence up, so I decided to try the Head down / Head up techniques.

I actually had more success with the head up technique, and was thrilled when Sante was giving me the same expressions and looks as Uno and even the horse in the book, I also got another very powerful release.

I'm going back to review the DVD and the relevant chapters in the book to make sure I didn't miss anything.

This is just really awesome :D

misstux

Thank you for the review. It has just helped me make up my mind to purchase the new material.

thebundychick

So, it was my intention to ride today, however, a little too much "cheer" last night, saw me paying very very dearly for it this morning, and after finally dragging my hungover self to the paddock today, I decided against riding, and for more bodywork.

This time i worked on Rebel. Thats the benefit of having more than one horse! I can practise all week! :D

So, today was overcast, with intermittent rain, quite gusty and LOADS of flies, not exactly ideal conditions, but I didn't have any time frame or expectations - I just wanted to practice the contents of the new DVD.

The last few times I've haltered Rebel, she's been a little bit "yeah but" about it, going to put her nose in the halter and then deciding "No" at the last minute. So i spent a few minutes scratching her itchy spots, and just hanging out, when i finally asked her whether she wanted to be haltered, she stuck her nose in it

I've decided to do all their bodywork in the paddock. The paddock they are in is about 3 acres, with a massive solid timber shelter up one end. Its nice and shady, and provides great protection from the elements.

We wandered into the shelter and began. Sante was wandering around happily eating, and both horses seemed content to "just go with it" because they weren't being seperated.

I started with the BM release on Rebel. Very tight in the poll & neck, a little tense in the whither, and VERY tense in the hips / Sacroiliac.

She seemed to "sull up" or close down during the first sweep of the BM on both sides, and i was starting to think that today might be unsuccessful because of the flies etc, but by the time i got to the second sweep, ALL the tension she'd been storing, just let go, Lots of yawning, lots of head shaking - the type where they stick their nose right out, and shake all the way through from their nose to their tail,lots of tongue rolling.

Did the same Lateral releases on Rebel, but with more immediate success. She gave visible releases with each adjustment, shook all the tension out.

also did both head up & head down releases, HUGE success with the head up releases, i really like that one, its a bit tricky at first, but once the horse realises that it can infact rest its head on you, they become putty in your hands

sandra smith

Wow!! That sounds like a good book to order. Is the name of same as the name of this thread?

I'm enjoying a book Zen and Horseback Riding Applying the Principals of Posture Breath and Awareness to Riding Horses. It so well explains the psoas and how it helps in riding posture.

It may have been someone here that suggested the book. If so, thanks. If not, I will suggest it to anyone who wants to have better and more effective posture while riding.
If only I had all of my year end reports done so I could devote more time to reading it. Also, the temps could be a bit warmer than 0 so I could ride. HA HA I want a lot for mid January in Maine don't I?

Sandra

CarolynAnn93

After reading this, and the responses I got on my thread in the General Chat, I ordered the new book and dvd. I read through a few sections of the book yesterday and tried the bladder meridian technique last night, as well as the lateral cervical flexion, and the head up/down this morning. Before getting the material, I was thinking this was going to be simple and easy and what not, but I felt so nervous while trying it on Belle! I was so scared I was doing something wrong and I felt so clumsy. The fact that I STILL got releases was so cool! Watching her yawn and yawn and yawn after I clumsily attempted the cervical flexion was so neat. I know I wasn't doing it totally right, and I'm going to watch the dvd before trying anything else, but I definitely see that this stuff works! So cool!

Masterson Method - Intergrated Equine Performance Bodywork

Re: Masterson Method - Intergrated Equine Performance Bodywo

Masterson Method DVD

Re: Masterson Method DVD