Hello All,
Over Here
Just finished another Considering the Horse: Mind and Body Clinic with Mark Rashid here in Arroyo Grande on the Central Coast of California. At past clinics we’ve explored the overlap of the horse’s mind (Mark’s territory) and the horse’s body (my territory). Mark actually has a little larger territory if you take into account the work he does with the rider’s brain. We’ve always known that the rider’s body also fits into the equation, and we decided to explore more of that aspect this time around.
Dianne Adel, a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner, human bodyworker and past Mark and Jim clinic organizer, joined us to work on the rider’s body and share her input during this clinic. The result was a success all around with horses and riders getting training and bodywork, and it looks like she’ll be joining us at the clinic here in October next year.
We’ll have another Mark and Jim clinic in Cave Creek near Phoenix AZ in January, and again in Littleton CO in July with Dr. Stephen Peters for a repeat of the mind-blowing Brain Clinic. Dr. Peters always brings new stuff to these get-togethers. You’ll find it at Collaborative Clinics on the website (mastersonmethod.com) and on this newsletter in the months to come.
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Mark’s wife Crissi McDonald is an insightful writer and photographer, and is responsible for many of the photos we use. She was able to combine insightfulness and photographic talent to capture some overlap in this photo taken at the clinic. |
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Very funny. Thanks a lot, Crissi!
Read on and you’ll find more of Crissi in an article she’s written below.
At the end of October I attended the Best Horse Practices Summit at the beautiful Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, KY.
Presenting there were, among others: Jec Ballou, Warwick Schiller, Dr Sheryl King, Wade Black, Amy Skinner and Katrin Silva. Maddy Butcher invited me to do a talk and demo, and I enjoyed it so much I scheduled to attend this very educational event next October. Keep an eye on their website: BHP Summit.
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We certified five more MMCPs while here in Arroyo Grande. |
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We worked with a variety of equines… long ears and short… |
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... and tall and not-so-tall.
You’ll hear more about our new MMCPs in upcoming newsletters.
Congratulations to all who survived!
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Hands Online Library
In December of last year, we created a Hands Online Membership Program with monthly videos and zoom calls on Masterson Method bodywork and related topics. We’ve re-formatted those videos and calls into a Hands Online Library. You can find out more about this and how to access it below, starting in December (pretty soon!)
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Certified Practitioner Demonstrations
If you’re tired of looking at horses on your computer screen you may be able to find a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner giving a live Masterson Method demonstration somewhere nearby, or you might go to our website and find an MMCP near you who will do a live demo for your group. We’ve been getting some good feedback from these, some of which you will find below.
If you want to take it even further, you can find out about hosting a Weekend Seminar yourself here.
Instructor Sandy Vreeburg sent this photo from an Advanced 5-Day Course she just taught in North Carolina of a participant doing a spot-on Hind Leg Release…
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This could be you (if you have spotted pajamas : ) |
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Over There
We’ve been busy in Europe, the UK, New Zealand and Canada this Fall. So far we have Weekend and Advanced 5-Day Courses scheduled in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, not-so-far away Canada, and a Weekend Seminar in Israel this coming year. See the Calendar below for more to come.
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Healthy and Happy Horse Festival
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For the purpose of promoting healthy and happy horses in Europe, on December 19 an organization in the Netherlands is sponsoring an online event called the Healthy and Happy Horse Festival.
If you’re in the area, or even if you’re not, check it out on Facebook here. |
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Back at Home
Before leaving Fairfield last month we had an office staff meeting to discuss important issues with Kait's brand new assistant Olivia. Appears we're all in agreement on something.
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I’ll be here in Arroyo Grande, CA for the rest of November, enjoying the typical Fall weather … warm and sunny.
This is the last look I got of Fairfield before leaving at the end of September.
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It’s probably changed a bit since then. I’ll let you know what it looks like when I get home next month.
Until then, like me, enjoy your horses.
Jim
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MMCP Crissi McDonald wrote a great article for Horsemanship Journal. She confirms the adage... "When in Doubt, Do Less."
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Working Environment and Safety
Check out this recent blog - Jim wrote it in his "spare" time and it's got some great reminders to help keep horses and their bodyworkers safe and comfy. |
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What's Up with the Membership? |
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Final November Membership Events
Thanks to everyone who participated and kept us connected in the last year!
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Level 1 and 2 Members
Recorded
Live Call with Jim
Muddy Boots - a Quarter Horse Gelding, Bodywork Session
November 13,
12:00 p.m. CST
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Level 2 Members
Wrap up of Live Technique Breakdowns
Lateral Rocking and Dorsal Arch Techniques
November 18
2:00 p.m. CST
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Level 2 Members
Expert Hour
Softening the Horse and Human Through Light to the Core Techniques
with Lori Hoppe and Sandy Vreeburg
November 30,
3:00 pm CST
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Here is a note from Sandy Benson. She gave a demo at the Albuquerque Trail Riders Demo/Tack Swap event.
"This sweet 22 year-old Arab rescue horse was the perfect candidate for the demo I did back on Oct 23rd at the Albuquerque Trail Riders demos/tack swap event. He calmly stood in between the picnic tables and responded beautifully to my demo of the bladder meridian, and the scapula release on the right front, down and back. All was well until the mounted shooting started not far away!
It was a small group (around 16-20) but they were interested, asked good questions and made me feel it was well worth doing.
Plus, it was fun to catch up with Karen Evans, another MMCP near Albuquerque. She’s doing the talking next time!"
Way to go Sandy!
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Anita Chang-Vigo has been busy in Las Vegas - here is the first installment of her Demo-Saga!
"Since receiving my MMCP in July, I have been fortunate to be able to complete three sets of demos for three distinctly different groups of folks in the past months. The encouragement I have for all of our MMCPs is that The Masterson Method® is such a gentle and effective modality of equine bodywork that it speaks for itself; if I can do it as an immigrant Asian, whose first language is not English, to a variety of audiences in Las Vegas, NV, you can do it anywhere!
My first rodeo (literally) of demoing the Masterson Method was at the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association's event, called The Big Horn Rodeo, on the weekend of September 18-19, 2021. I had invited a fellow MMCP, Marty Clark, who moved to Las Vegas a couple of months ago, to join me at this event. Because most of my existing clients are dressage, hunter, jumper, eventer and pleasure riders, I wanted to stretch the reach of the Masterson Method to a different audience, and what better way to do that than with another MMCP!! It was beneficial to have two MMCPs at the booth, as one of us stayed at the booth while another one went back to the stable areas interacting with riders and their horses.
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The Big Horn Rodeo included riders and horses who came from different states including Arizona, California and Utah, to name a few. With insights from the event promoter, Marty and I prepared promotional items with our business contact information for the "goodie" bags given to the contestants. We coordinated on the banner size for the table so that each of our small businesses would have a visual presence.
Additionally, at MMCP Lucie Olafsson's suggestion, the event announcer was given a script to read every couple of hours to encourage participants to come and check out the booth. Marty and I had a blast, and I can now finally say that "It ain't my first rodeo."
Great job Anita and Marty! Stay tuned for more stories and photos from Anita's adventures next month.
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Newly Certified Practitioners |
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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 Find a Practitioner page on our website for the closest practitioner to you.
The MMES program continues to grow. We'll add a new section when we have new MMES Practitioners. Help pass the word to Equine Therapy Programs and treat those horses to some Tender Loving Care!
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Annette Schonabaum, MMCP
Boonville, Indiana
Getting into horses at a young age, I was able to get the full 4-H experience and meet some great people and trainers along the way. I participated in 4-H judging team learning to evaluate many different breeds including miniatures, Arabians, warmbloods, Saddlebreds, and draft horses. Those experiences made me decide to become a 4-H leader, coaching the judging team and helping the kids progress all the way to the Nationals in Texas and coaching the hippology team for several years.
Besides the knowledge from great 4-H leaders and trainers, I have been fortunate to have other people around me from several disciplines, allowing me to learn Dressage, 3-day Eventing, Western/Hunt seat all-around, and driving. While I enjoyed learning about and showing in each of these disciplines, I realized that my heart leaned toward training my own horses using Dressage fundamentals. Using these principles, I was able to take my Paint horse in all-around events all the way to Paint Horse Congress.
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Catherine Slaney, MMCP
Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
When my family moved out of the city to a century property situated in the rolling hills of Erin, Ontario, we embarked on a new hobby accumulating an impressive selection of horses and ponies which filled the two barns to capacity. We became deeply involved, breeding, training and showing horses and my equestrian efforts provided an opportunity for me to not only compete but to become a Dressage and Three-Day Event judge.
Over the years I have worked with many veterinarians, alternative practitioners and trainers to learn a variety of effective techniques to relieve pain and restrictions that tend to limit the comfort and performance of many horses. My professional career as a college professor focused on animal science and the veterinary aspects of animal behaviour and care which eventually led me to seek a deeper awareness of the importance of mutual respect and trust and an appreciation of the “power of touch.”
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MMCP - who's next?
Location - where from?
If you recently completed your certification "trial" with the Big Boss, send your photo and bio to Jo and let's get your information on the website!
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Phone: horses are trying to call,
Email: or send you a note,
Website: or look at your website!
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Tiffany Downs, MMCP
Michigan City, Indiana
My name is Tiffany Downs. I am a passionate Equine Bodyworker and I live in Northern Indiana right about on the tip of Lake Michigan in a town called Michigan City. My business name is Equine Bodywork by Tiffany and I can be found on Facebook and Instagram. You can message me there or reach me through my cell 219-878-3476.
When I was 12 years old, my family and I went for our yearly trail ride at the local riding stable. It was then that I knew horses were going to be a large part of my life. I acquired my first pony about that time and I worked at this local stable after school to pay off his board. I never really took official riding lessons but learned how to ride by just riding my pony, Tucker, as fast as we could go through the open field and pastures. He really did teach me all I ever needed to know about riding and maneuvering through life in general.
I did not come from a family surrounded by horses and farms. Oddly enough, my interests then and now are quite different. Nevertheless, I got every book I could find on horses. I checked out every book at the library with a horse on the cover. I was passionate!
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Interested in taking a course? Here are a few testimonials that might convince you!
It is something every horse owner would benefit from as you can bond with your horse and help to keep them healthy and feeling their best.
I believe they heal the human too!
For your own horses this work is incredibly valuable. You want to really know & understand your horse & have good communication with them too??
Go take this course!! Your horse will forever thank you!!
Stay open minded and you will realize that with the right intention just how soft you can be. And that will lead to a release from the horse.
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Weekend Seminar-Workshop Schedule |
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* 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 refund info here:
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USA Seminars
**Light to the Core Seminar
Canada Seminars
(taught in French)
(taught in French)
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European Seminars
(taught in Hebrew and English)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
Australia & New Zealand Seminars
South Africa
(Check back for upcoming Weekend Seminars)
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Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule |
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USA Advanced Courses
March 28-April 1, 2022 Tucson, AZ with Vanessa Helvey
European Advanced Courses
March 21-25, 2022 Egestorf, DE taught in German with Walter Saxe
March 28-April 1, 2022 Horley, UK with Vicky Devlin
with Walter Saxe
October 24-28, 2022 Egestorf, DE taught in German with Walter Saxe
Canada Advanced Courses
Australia & New Zealand
February 27-March 3, 2022 Waikato, NZ with Nadine Vollmerg
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Certification Completion Course Schedule |
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European Courses
Canada
(Check back for upcoming courses)
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Masterson Method Equine Specialist Courses |
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Masterson Method Collaborative Clinics |
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USA Collaborative Clinics
Considering the Horse: Mind & Body with Jim Masterson and Mark Rashid
Considering the Horse: Mind & Body with Jim Masterson and Mark Rashid
Your Horse's Brain: A User's Manual with Dr. Stephen Peters, Mark Rashid and Jim Masterson
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"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
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THE MASTERSON METHOD®
641-472-1312
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