Masterson method?? Anyone used

[lottiepony]

How coincidental that a lady at the yard I'm at is now learning this so was after 'guinea pigs' to try it out on. So the super delicate part bred arab responded very well, as she's learning she's only doing certain parts at the moment but he responded very well. Shetland on the other hand was completely different, much more guarded and eventually did manage to release and we finished on a positive note but the way he reacted was quite extreme. It was so interesting to see the different reactions. I admit the shetland gets no treatments ever (which is naughty I know) so whether that makes a difference in to how he coped I don't know but the pair of them were opposite to what we expected.
I can only describe it as odd that doing what seems to be nothing can have such reactions.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

How coincidental that a lady at the yard I'm at is now learning this so was after 'guinea pigs' to try it out on. So the super delicate part bred arab responded very well, as she's learning she's only doing certain parts at the moment but he responded very well. Shetland on the other hand was completely different, much more guarded and eventually did manage to release and we finished on a positive note but the way he reacted was quite extreme. It was so interesting to see the different reactions. I admit the shetland gets no treatments ever (which is naughty I know) so whether that makes a difference in to how he coped I don't know but the pair of them were opposite to what we expected.
I can only describe it as odd that doing what seems to be nothing can have such reactions.

I have a Fell and an Exmoor, ponies are very stoic-they are way more difficult to read than horses using this method. They now have favourite bits and like it but the same goes for all the ponies versus the horses I've used it on. Those horses that dont show any reaction are those you back off from-less is more. I picked up that my horse had stifle issues with it, even picked the worst affected stifle using just the bladder meridian technique-after an ACPAT couldnt find anything wrong. He was sent in for a work up and a scan after that. It is a good modality but as I said, I am a bit 'hmmmm' about certain aspects-not everything is a release and people should know enough anatomy to know what they are working on and why they might not work on it. I am a scientist and not overly susceptible to woo-MM definitely has its uses with those that use it properly.
The most stoic pony I worked on was a little welsh JA pony, anyone thinking those ponies arent really feeling jumping those tracks in that way are mistaken.

 

[J&S]

Yes, I had a practitioner come and treat my ponies last April. I had known her as a horse person for some time and my friend uses her regularly and so I trusted her. TBH I didnt really see much happening although she was with them for well over an hour each. However, I am sure it was a success for them because they have managed to get through the spring, summer and autumn going out and about, climbing hills, going over all terrains and doing quite high mileage rides. The veteran mare was happy to perform Trec manouevres that she hasn't done for years and they both seem generall well and happy. I am waiting for her to come to give them a pre Winter session.

 

[SEL]

I guess even qualified practitioners can go 'off piste' but the person I know says the key is to be guided by the horse at all times. So I am not sure how that squares with totally ignoring the increasingly clear messages from the horse to feck off!

The person I used with my big mare stopped halfway in one session and told me she wasn't happy. Didn't want to take payment but I insisted. It was my PSSM mare and I think she was just too sore to want any work. Usually she loves bodywork so it was out of character and I'm glad they could sense that.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I think the Masterson Method is great for horse owners building a better relationship with their horse and gently releasing areas of tension.

There are lots of free you tube videos of Jim Masterson if anyone wants to see components of the technique in action.

I’ve done some training, and have the guide book and DVD. It is something you can safely try as it’s gentle, working with horse, staying under threshold and non invasive.

I find if my horse is relaxed and focused it can be very effective. If he’s distracted / yard being turned out / hungry / waiting for turnout Etc it’s not so effective. Done at the right time and place it can be quite mediative for horse and handler.

The principle is you are drawing the horse’s attention to an area of tension or bracing in his own body, which then allows him to release this area.

I use it as an extra on top of scheduled physio and chiro and find it complementary.