Hello All,
Reporting from Happy Dog Ranch in sunny Littleton, CO right now where the dogs are happy, the horses are healthy, and the sky is… well, a little smoky. Fires in Nevada and Oregon are sending haze our way. We can’t complain here. They’re causing much more grief out there, and not worth the crimson sunsets they’re bringing us.
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Well, what’s going on in the horse-yawning world? Oh yeah, I’m at Happy Dog where Bernadette and John Spillane are hosting another Mark and Jim Show, or as it’s sometimes called Considering the Horse: Mind and Body, and we’re doing the
Your Horse’s Brain clinic with Dr. Stephen Peters.
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I’ll have more to say on our goings-on at Happy Dog Ranch in next month’s newsletter as some new and interesting things have been taking place. Stay tuned! |
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Certification!
We certified four new MMCPs while at Happy Dog
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In California - on the way to Colorado - we certified three more MMCPs in Watsonville. More about all of them in upcoming newsletters.
Hooray for seven new MMCPs!
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BTW - Being careful about the heat wave out west affecting this trip. Found a safe place to stop and cool feet (and throat) in Big Sur while on the way up the coast to Watsonville. |
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National Pony Club Festival at the Kentucky Horse Park |
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First: As Pony Club trainers, MMCPs Mimi Duffy (USPC Riding Instructor) and David Ospital (USPC Volunteer) have been turning Pony Clubbers into future horsemen and horsewomen at their facility in California. As part of their program they teach their young students how to use the Bladder Meridian Technique on their horses.
Second: Every three years, Pony Clubbers from around the country gather at the Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky for the National Pony Club Festival and Championship Competitions in seven disciplines; Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping, Games, Polocrosse, Tetrathlon, and Quiz, which is a non-riding, knowledge-based competition.
Third: This event is taking place at the Kentucky Horse Park this week: July 19th to July 26th.
Cool Thing Number 1: Mimi and David and their students were invited to come and share what they’ve been doing with Pony Clubbers attending the Festival.
Cool Thing Number 2: Their students will be teaching the Bladder Meridian Technique to other Pony Clubbers from around the country attending the Festival.
Cool Thing Number 3: I get to help.
David, Mimi and I were able to get together last week in California to talk about it, and I learned Cool thing Number 4:
The Pony Club of America has a history of bringing young riders – children through young adults – through the fundamentals of horse-care, health, grooming, tack, and of course, riding. Many of these kids go on to become Olympic competitors in tetrathlon and pentathlon riding events.
On the website (click on photo below) you’ll be able to see an example of the education these kids get and the events they compete in at the Festival.
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On Friday I’ll be driving out to Lexington to help out by doing morning and afternoon demos. During the demos and throughout the day, Dave and Mimi’s students will be conducting Bladder Meridian sessions with other attending Pony Clubbers.
MMCP Megan Dushin has been our Certification Field Work Administrator for many years and has helped us set up many projects. She’s now our Project Manager and has been helping to organize the Pony Club project. She will also be at the Festival.
This is timely and propitious (new word) as Megan’s mother, Leona Dushin was District Commissioner of the Garrison Pony Club for 47 years. Leona Dushin was honored as a USPC Regional Legend in the New York/Upper Connecticut region (1 of 5 legends in the region), and served on two USPC national committees - Games and Camping.
I found quite a few interesting articles about Leona online, one of which is linked below. My eye caught an interesting paragraph that I thought might pique (another fancy word) your interest:
In 1957 Leona started breeding horses and the next year established the Garrison Horse and Pony Club. “We had 14 kids and six parents that first year” she recalls. Therapeutic horseback riding became part of Leona’s life in 1977. The aunt of one of her riding students had suffered complete memory loss as the result of an accident. “She couldn’t even remember where the silverware was kept” Leona recalls. But the aunt had known how to ride a horse earlier in life. Leona put her back on a horse, she remembered how to ride — and so began her recovery. “There’s a direct connection between the brain and the butt,” Leona chuckled. “It was thrilling to see her progress.”
This all took place when daughter Megan was just a wee-bitty child. Megan will now be able to experience the Pony Club again as a wee-bitty adult.
Read the full article here.
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Masterson Method does its part for the 4th of July
Was at Anita Parra’s ranch in Arroyo Grande, CA on the 4th of July. Nobody even mentions the word “fireworks” around there for fear of starting a fire, however we did receive communication from at least one owner who noticed that their horse seemed much calmer this 4th after having started The Masterson Method. I don’t know if they were less fearful of the fires or the fireworks, but either way a calm horse is a happy horse; and a happy horse makes for a happy owner. Reading this makes me think we may have to incorporate fireworks into our program.
"The far-reaching effects of the Masterson Method have impressed me again... Our once-rural farm now has neighborhoods on all sides and the repeated Independence Day celebrations have taught us a "protocol" that helps minimize our horses' exposure and stress. But last night my horse Hero handled fireworks better than ever: as I sat on a bale of shavings in front of his stall, Hero yawned and released during the worst of the fireworks, and an hour later walked quietly back out to his field. Hero has enjoyed Masterson Method work for about 6 years: its ability to help him release tension seems to have the added benefit of giving him a way to cope with the stress of fireworks. Thank you." Kirsten Collins and Hero
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We also have an inspiring story below from MMCP Lisa Star, who completed her certification last year in Watsonville. |
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In any case, the significance of our Independence Day is never lost on me, especially when experienced with no fires and happy horses and owners. |
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At Home
It’s been busy here at home, meaning “in the office”. I’m so glad we have such an amazing staff, because if we didn’t I’d have to spend more time in the office. Which creates kind of a conundrum (another new word), because one of the reasons I enjoy coming into the office is that we have such an amazing staff.
Kelsey, in particular has been especially effective and efficiently busy this year. She handles all of the registrations and customer service for our Weekend Seminars, which Malia has been scheduling like crazy.
People must have found us while browsing the internet at home in 2020. Then when the barn door started opening and stir-crazy horse people saw daylight, Kelsey and Malia got really busy. Kelsey’s been with us for a long time and has always been organized, dedicated, fun, and never misses a beat. Here’s her modest bio on our website:
“Kelsey joined the Masterson Method team in 2017, bringing years of experience in customer service, retail, and office life. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her dog in various natural settings, watching movies, and traveling whenever possible.”
I wanted to acknowledge Kelsey by posting a big, giant color photo of her here, but she’s a little shy and I wasn't sure she'd send me a photo to use. So I came up with one myself. Then she came up with a nice one. Here they both are:
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Thanks for all you do, Kelsey! |
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Overseas
There’s so much going on overseas I don’t know where to start. I’ll try:
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Things are really picking up in the UK. Masterson Method Instructor Vicky Devlin recently taught a Weekend Seminar for students in the equine/equestrian programs at Duchy College in Cornwall (who by the way, she says caught on very quickly and were amazing!). More of the same to come in the UK! |
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Elsewhere we have courses coming up in:
Switzerland, Israel, Poland, France, quite a few in Germany, the Netherlands and Canada, a couple in New Zealand, another in South Africa, and we’ll be getting going in Australia again soon, I promise!
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“Walter Saxe Weekend in Austria”
For dates to go with places, take a look at our Calendar below.
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Books, paintings, and other cultural stuff
I recently got a copy of the book Listenology, by Elaine Heney. It’s next on my reading list, but you might want to check it out ahead of me. Elaine is a wonderful advocate for the horse, has a lot of good content on her website, and this book looks pretty good. Let me know what you think!
Mindful of Horses Helen Cherry is one of our MMCPs in the UK and has just finished a book describing her learning experiences around her adopted horse Nancy. I was just sent a review and haven't read it yet, but I know that Helen's story with Nancy will be educational, enlightening, and, if anything at all like Helen, thoughtful and entertaining. Below is the review. It looks like you might enjoy it. Well done, Helen!
Art
If you’ve done a 5 Day Advanced Course with us you probably know Jo Bartruff. She handles 5 Day registrations and customer service here in the office. She does art on the side. We’ve turned some of them upright and posted them on this newsletter in the past, and much of it adorns the walls of our office. I thought it would be nice to adorn the pages of our newsletter with same.
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Spitfire
Enjoy this one,
and until next time, like me,
enjoy your live horses, too.
Jim
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What's Up with the Membership? |
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Level 1 and 2 Members
Replay "Live Review with Jim" on behavioral or performance issues. Recorded July 7
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Level 2 Members
Replay Live Technique Breakdown on Front End Techniques.
Recorded July 21
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UPCOMING:
Level 2 Members
Expert Hour
on July 28 with
"Creating true connection with the horse"
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Upcoming August Membership Events |
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Level 1 and 2 Members
"Live Review with Jim" call will be Wednesday, August 11
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Level 2 Members
Live Technique Breakdown will be
Saturday, August 21
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Level 2 Members
Expert Hour will be
Tuesday, August 24
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Recent Podcasts - take a listen! |
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Ellie O'Brien's website is Finesse Equestrian. Click on the photo to listen to Ellie talk with Dylan Silver and Jim about A Mind Like Still Water. Aired May 2021. |
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In this podcast Jill and Jim talk about how we work and bond with our horses. Check out JET EquiTheory - click on the photo to link to the podcast. |
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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.
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Michelle Scarzone
Scottsdale, Arizona
Everything about these animals AMAZE me, they give to us unconditionally and that is why I LOVE what I do. Every horse tells a different story, the look in their eyes and the reactions in their body astonishes me each time. My mare Roxie inspired me to seek out a solution to help her physically when she was seriously injured. What I didn't realize is that The Masterson Method® would take me down a path of not only the certification process but also the understanding of how a horse communicates with us. Even with all the physical benefits of The Masterson Method®, it truly was the emotional level of connection and understanding that was, and still is the biggest win for her and I, as well as all the other horses that I have had the pleasure of working on over the years.
Phone: 480-223-8659
Email: mscarz3@gmail.com
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Nicole Kobs
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Nicole’s love for horses started at a very young age! Her father had trained OTTB’s for polo, and her mother was from a ranching family in New Mexico. Though part of a military family who couldn’t own horses, Nicole could always be found snuggling the nearest horse neck she could find! She grew up riding recreationally and then, after marrying a military man, they both found ways to spend time with horses wherever they went. In the UK, she volunteered at a barn; and in Okinawa, her daughter took lessons at the only barn (at that time) on an island while Nicole would groom, clean, and play barn hand anytime she could.
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Phone: 208-850-1807
Email: burmarhaven@gmail.com
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Monika Potabi
Oirschot, Netherlands
After several years riding my AQHA mare in western riding competitions with even a few national championship titles as a result, my horse started laming mid-2016. Eventually diagnosed with navicular disease, we started the process of finding every possible solution to this issue. After the traditional treatments, which did not seem to help much, my former instructor applied some Masterson techniques on her and my horse showed such huge releases, that I was flabbergasted. By chance, a weekend workshop was organized nearby in July 2018. I attended and was hooked. Now I say my horse has led me to The Masterson Method® to help her with her compensation issues, and that it does!
To eventually become a certified practitioner was a personal journey in itself. For a non-professional horse loving girl who spends all day sitting in front of a computer counting numbers as a profession, it was a huge learning experience. It was a childhood dream come true to become a-kind-of-Dr-Dolittle and to be able to help horses to feel better. I enjoyed every step of the way. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to be a part of the wonderful Masterson Method® Family!
I think The Masterson Method® offers the best part of the different bodywork modalities techniques for horses and that these combined are more than the sum of the individual techniques. It remains astonishing what a huge impact the sometimes seemingly simple techniques have on the well-being of the horse. And I am also of the opinion that every horse owner should know how to do the Bladder Meridian Technique with his horse to help him resolve tension in his body and mind.
So onwards and upwards I go, for the well-being of as many horses as possible!
Phone: 31 647996090
Email: mpotabi@gmail.com
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Pam Kelly, MMES
Lake Leelanau, Michigan
After so many years of putting my love of horses on the back burner, a friend invited me on a horse trip. My passion was re-ignited and I read any book about horses I could find. When I tired of reading trainer's books and how-to books and books about color, breed, lifestyles,etc, I happened to see "Beyond Horse Massage" by Jim Masterson. The cover photo intrigued me enough that I bought it on the spot. That was 2018. I read it over and over for 2 years until I felt that I knew the methods without looking at the pictures in the book.
I was a volunteer horse leader, side walker and member of the equine management team at Reining Liberty Ranch, an equine therapeutic facility near my home. They have a Grand Traverse Horses 4 Heroes program and have therapy riding, equine assisted learning, hippo therapy, and other programs.
The first horse I tried The Masterson Method® on was a beautiful, high headed Tennessee Walker named TAZ. I was assigned to be his "person" to help him acclimate to the therapy program and the Grand Traverse Horses 4 Heroes Program, and to help him get over his spookiness. When our State shut down during the Pandemic, myself and another volunteer went 2 full days a week to be with, groom, and do groundwork with the horses. That was when I tried the Bladder Meridian on TAZ. His responses and releases were so obvious. He was like putty in my hands. I knew then that this was what I wanted to do for the horses. He was transformed as I worked with him each day into a happy, healthy, relaxed (most of the time) horse. When people associated with the ranch started coming to the arena when I was doing the bodywork, they soon became just as relaxed as the horse. That was when I looked into the MMES program. I am happy and excited to be a new MMES and be able to connect these wonderful service animals to people who need that connection, and have the horses receive the benefit of that care and connection.
Phone: 231-620-0732
Email: pkatpdm@aol.com
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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
(Note: Sun-Mon course)
Canada Seminars
(taught in French)
(Note: Sun-Mon course)
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European Seminars
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in German)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in German)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in Hebrew and English)
(taught in Polish)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
(taught in French)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
Australia & New Zealand Seminars
South Africa
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Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule |
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USA Advanced Courses
European Advanced Courses
(*Note: Wed-Sun course)
Canada Advanced Courses
Australia & New Zealand
(Check back for upcoming 5-Days)
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Certification Completion Course Schedule |
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USA Courses
Tentative: October 9-10 Iowa
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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
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USA Expos & Demos
Masterson Method Demo with Wendy Martin
Masterson Method Demo with David Ospital and Mimi Duffy at the Pony Club Festival...with special guest, Jim Masterson! (What! Again?)
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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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