Hello all,
How are you all doing with your time at home? I have to admit it took me a few weeks to stop pushing ahead as if nothing had changed. Living in a rural area kind of insulates you from what’s going on, and if you don’t watch the news (I’m a news-maker not a news-follower – ha!) pretty soon you find yourself pushing forward and behind the bit, while everything around you comes to a slow-down. When I realized there was no place to go and no flights to get me there, I decided to slow down too and see what I could do around here to stay productive. For now, you and I are all in the same boat.
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We’ve organized ourselves and adjusted around here to the “new reality” and can slow down, smell the roses, and focus on things to do and not-do that are worthwhile.This may even bring us out ahead of the game when this is all over.
Not that I’m
not
looking to the future and getting Courses and Seminars going again. Actually, I am, and we are looking forward to getting back with our horses and horse-people soon. Lots of students are registered and standing-by for courses that have been moved back, and we’re standing-by to get them going as soon as the doors open. Take a look below at the courses on the Calendar that are scheduled later in the year.
The last Seminar Class Photo we have on file is one that Instructor, Leslie Brooks, sent from New Jersey in March. Even though she had to move the course to later in the year, she said three kids showed up to be instructed by her, with Rocky, the demo pony. Now that’s dedication!
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Things to do for FREE
One thing that is driving me a little crazy during all of this, is every time you get on the internet, you are bombarded with all of the wonderful (and sometimes pretty creative) things, “you can do at home” to keep yourself sane and busy - as if we need help keeping sane and busy 😉.
So here are some things that you can do at home to keep yourself sane and busy. Of course, it involves your animals (horses, dogs, orangutans), keeps your hand in with The Masterson Method, and may even help a little more with keeping sane than keeping busy. Plus, they are all FREE!
Many people who have learned how to do the
Bladder Meridian Technique
on horses have not been able to resist doing it on dogs, cats, and who-knows-what-else. I’m one of them, and am not able to put my hand on a horse or a dog without searching for a response, and waiting until I get a release. It’s addictive. But it’s free, and it’s legal, so why not?
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While sitting in the office a couple of weeks ago, I did the Bladder Meridian with Max and JoJo; our accountant, Weda’s dogs that she brings into the office (we’re a lot like Microsoft and Google around here.)
Just for grins we video taped it and posted it on
Facebook
.
There are a couple more things we have that you can do that are free and legal, and a couple more farther down that have a 30% discount… and are also legal.
4) And if you’re inspired, farther down you can check out more learning tools that we’re inspired to put on special (meaning SALE) during this time of barn rest.
Another exciting and free resource
for anyone involved with horses on any level is Jane Pike’s
Confident Rider website
. Jane and I met at the Western States Horse Expo last year and decided to do a podcast interview together, which just happened last week. She’s very insightful and has very positive energy. It’s a very good podcast and you can below.
Last year while I was in California I had the opportunity to meet
Bart Halsberghe
, an equine veterinarian who is pioneering a new branch in veterinary medicine called ‘equine sports physiatry’, that emphasizes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and fascia in the equine athlete. It is uniqueness lies in that it focuses on the functioning of the whole patient (holistic patient-centered care) aiming to relieve pain, enhance and restore functional ability, and improve quality of life, giving rise to optimal performance and health. He kindly posted a testimonial which you can read below.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Back at the ranch we’re learning to deal with the certainty of uncertainty these days. Last weekend we had sunny temperatures in the 70’s (20’s C) - perfect for a Sunday drive with Annabelle and Jeremiah. I’m not complaining, really!
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But Spring can be fickle and, unfortunately, this is what we woke up to yesterday.
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I’m not complaining here. If it’s going to be cold I would prefer snow to grey skies. But, added to Global Pandemic we now have Global Warming and Global Fickleness. I know it’s Mother Nature’s prerogative to change her mind now and then but she’s starting to get on my nerves. I figured it must be time to get out of the house for a while, which I did while it was still warm:
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I got our purple martin birdhouse - which the purple martins have abandoned to the barn swallows for the last five years – painted and up on its pole again,
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And, fixed the door to the chicken coop which is already raccoon and coyote-proofed,
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and, finally, got the barn door roller sliding free again.
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That’s about it for this month. Hope to have more exciting news for you next month. Maybe the purple martins will finally move in. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
Until then stay safe and healthy.
And like me,
Enjoy your horses… dogs… primates...
Jim
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Our Newest Bodywork Blog Post
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Can I do this Wrong?
We use techniques with this method that use no pressure or movement, and some that involve different levels of pressure and movement. But they all rely on reading the responses of the horse, and softening when we run into resistance. If you’re doing this then:
1) you can’t hurt the horse, and
2) you can’t do it wrong.
The more you do it the better you get at reading the horse and softening; so you can always do it better, but it’s pretty hard to do it wrong.
Jim goes on to share
How this method works
and
How It Builds Trust with the Horse?
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Testimonial from a Veterinarian
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"As a veterinarian focused on equine integrated sports medicine and rehabilitation, I have explored a variety complementary and alternative veterinary medicine approaches in an effort to create and maintain optimal health and performance in horses. One of these approaches is The Masterson Method. I had the opportunity to take one of the weekend seminars and attend one of the collaborative clinics introducing me to this gentle technique.
The beauty of the technique is that (it) can be applied by any horse person and can be incorporated into daily or weekly routines when brushing or caring for the horse, further improving the connection between owner/caretaker and horse. The local and systemic relaxation that you get from The Masterson Method is quite amazing and allows you to get results with even the most difficult horses that may not allow the use of other techniques such as dry needling/acupuncture.
I really like that fact that the certified Masterson therapist are always looking to work in a team with the veterinarian and other equine professionals. Since I took the Masterson seminar, I had the opportunity on several occasions to work side by side as a veterinarian with certified Masterson therapists on mutual patients with the same goal in mind: improving the health and well-being of the horse."
Bart Halsberghe, DVM, DABVP (Equine practice), cISELP, cVSMT, cVMA, CERT, CKTP-E
Aalter, Belgium
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Jim's Interview with Jane Pike
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Jim had a wonderful conversation with Jane Pike on The Confident Rider Podcast!
Jane shares:
Over the course of our conversation we talk about:
⭐️ The what, how and why of the Masterson Method: How you can apply it to bring awareness to, relieve and release underlying patterns of tension with your horse
⭐️ The role of awareness and intuition in allowing for relaxation
⭐️ The signs of tension and signs of release: How to recognize both and create space for optimal release and balance
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Don’t Take Your Horse’s Dewormer: Ivermectin Unproven as COVID-19 Treatment
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Social media is buzzing about an Australian study on the possible antiviral effects that ivermectin might have on the COVID-19 virus. However, little is known about the effects this treatment could have and self-medicating is not advised.
Social media platforms are lighting up about a recent Australian study on the possible antiviral effects that the drug ivermectin might have on SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, little is known about the effects this treatment could have.
Not Recommended for Humans
Soren Rodning,
DVM, an Alabama Extension veterinarian, warns that people should not buy animal ivermectin products to self-medicate.
“There’s still a lot we don’t know about how effective a treatment of ivermectin really is for COVID-19 in humans,” said Rodning, who is also an Auburn University associate professor of animal sciences. “What we do know for certain is that animal formulations of ivermectin are not recommended for human use.”
Rodning said the FDA requires labels on animal ivermectin products warning people not to ingest it.
The concentration of ivermectin in these products or some of the inactive ingredients used in animal formulations may not be safe for human use,” he said. “Specifically, these have not been proven safe for use by people through clinical drug trials. Bottom line—do not self-medicate with animal ivermectin products. I cannot emphasize this enough.”
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30% Off Through April 30th
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"It has changed my life and every horse I've been in contact with! Relaxation and relationship...working WITH the horse and using skill with intuition. Amazing results all around!" ~ Diane Brockett
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30% discount!
Learn how to lighten, while deepening connection and strengthening relationship with your horse!
Normally: $34.95 each
Now thru April 30th: $24.47
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Newly Certified Practitioners
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Helen Jones
Haarlem, Netherlands
Helen is a lifetime horse enthusiast. It was during a Mark Rashid clinic in Scotland that she realised how big an impact physical tension has on the mental wellbeing and behaviour of the horse. This prompted her to start studying massage therapy as a way to gain more knowledge and help horses feel happier and perform better.
Through her experience as a massage therapist and lessons in natural horsemanship she advanced her skills to read the horse’s body language. Horses are constantly trying to tell us more than most of us are aware and she loves that The Masterson Method® uses exactly this as a basis for the bodywork.
Helen is always eager to continue her journey of learning. She currently works with horses through Equine Masterson Method, Sports Massage, Intuitive Massage, Integrative/Holistic Massage, Equine Myofascial Release Therapy and started with Functional Equine Taping. If you like to know more, just take a look on her website.
With these various techniques Helen can treat horses with different challenges, needs and temperaments – also very sensitive characters. By either activating the muscles and thus stimulating circulation and drainage of waste, or by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, she adapts to the needs of the horse.
Helen’s dream is to give all horses more pleasure through increased comfort and relaxation. Her sensitive and patient nature create a relaxing atmosphere for the horse to let go of any tension.
She is based in Haarlem but happy to travel, just drop her a message.
Phone: +31 (0)6 53 109 914
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Lori Curry Whitcomb
Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Lori Curry Whitcomb has been a horse fanatic from a young age. She has always found a way to be around horses, or friends with horses, while growing up. Once on her own, she purchased her first horse, a quarter horse named Magic.
Lori didn’t have formal lessons or schooling but always enjoyed trail riding and just being around horses. After a horse hiatus while raising kids as a single mom, she was able to become a horse owner again and has never looked back!
Lori enjoys learning horsemanship skills, learning to be a good partner to her horses and trail riding. She also volunteers at a therapeutic riding center and is working on becoming a PATH certified riding instructor.
She was first introduced to The Masterson Method at the Midwest Horse Fair and knew she had found the perfect balance between health and helping others (even if it was horses) and riding.
As a health care provider and someone interested in alternative health and healing this is a perfect blend of her interests. She loves learning and every horse teaches her something different.
Working with the Masterson Method has given her a new passion while volunteering at her favorite therapy barn, teaching everyone how to do the Bladder Meridian!
Lori works on horses in all disciplines and would love to help your horse become his very best!
or on her cell phone 309-781-7086
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If you Didn't Catch Jim's
Facebook Live Event
, April 8th, watch it now!
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Jim took questions for over an hour from all over the world. Pop some popcorn and sit back and enjoy! ~Note: you may need to turn your sound up high
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Weekend Seminar-Workshop Schedule
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USA Seminars
Canada Seminars
(
taught in French)
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Europe Seminars
(taught in German)
(taught in Dutch)
(taught in Polish)
(taught in German)
(taught in German)
Australia & New Zealand Seminars
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Advanced 5-Day Course Schedule
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USA Advanced Courses
Europe Advanced Courses
June 22-26
Brochów, PL
taught in Polish
with
Beata Filonowicz
*Note this is a Wednesday to Sunday course.
*Note this is a Wednesday to Sunday course.
Canada Advanced Courses
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Certification Completion Course Schedule
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Masterson Method Equine Specialist Courses
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USA Courses
*Note this is a Monday to Wednesday course.
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Masterson Method Collaborative Clinics
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USA Clinics
Considering the Horse - Mind and Body
Your Horse's Brain: A User's Manual
July 11-12
Littleton, CO
with
Jim Masterson, Mark Rashid
and
Dr. Steve Peters
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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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