Jim Masterson

photo by Crissi McDonald

Jim was the equine bodywork therapist for the 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 USEF Endurance Teams and has worked on thousands of horses in aa rated competitions in the United States and in FEI Nations Cup, Pan American, World Equestrian Games competitions. He now teaches his unique method of equine bodywork to horse owners and therapists around the world, in which the horse participates in the process by showing the practitioner where tension has accumulated and when it has been released. The result is an effective method that anyone can learn to improve performance and open new levels of communication and trust with the horse.

 
photos by Crissi McDonald

Friday 10:00am-11:00am   Cattle Barn Arena
Reading the Horse's Body Language: Is my horse uncomfortable, and if so, where?
In this presentation Jim Masterson will demonstrate simple, effective bodywork techniques that owners can use to bypass survival instincts that the horse uses to cover up pain and discomfort. He will show how to read subtle signs in the horse's body language that reveal where in the body the horse might be holding tension, and how to release it.

Friday   2:00pm-3:00pm   Cattle Barn Arena
Releasing Tension in Key Junctions That Most Affect Performance
In this clinic Jim Masterson will explain the key junctions of a horse's anatomy which most affect performance. He will demonstrate simple, effective bodywork techniques that the horse owner can use to release tension in these junctions, resulting in improved performance, communication and relationship with the horse.

Saturday 10:00am-11:00am   Cattle Barn Arena
Equine Bodywork and Behavioral or Training Issues
Behaviors such as head-shyness, bracing, refusal to stay on a canter lead or other unwanted behaviors can be a barrier to happiness for both the horse and owner. It's important to consider that there may be an underlying physical issue involved with what you may see as a training or behavioral issue. In this practical clinic Jim will talk about what signs to look for that there may be a physiological component to a training issue, and will demonstrate simple, effective techniques that you can use to help the horse release physical tension that may be affecting training.

Saturday   2:00pm-3:00pm
Equine Bodywork and Mystery Lameness Issues
Horses, like human athletes, develop tension and muscle spasms in deeper muscles and connective tissue that can manifest as short-stridedness, unevenness, or inconsistent signs of being "off". Often there are no apparent issues with the feet and legs, yet the horse's movement is "just not quite right". In this case the problem may be coming from muscle restriction or spasms higher up in the body. In this practical clinic Jim will talk about his experience with what he calls "mystery lameness" and will demonstrate bodywork techniques that you as an owner can use to help your horse release muscle tension in the body that may be inhibiting movement.

Sunday   11:00-Noon   Cattle Barn Arena
Light to the Core - Connecting with Your Horse
Learning how to use lighter levels of touch while reading and following subtle changes in your horse's behavior (responses to your touch) gives you access to that part of your horse's nervous system that allows it to release deeper levels of tension. It also opens the door to new levels of communication and trust between you and the horse.  In this clinic Jim Masterson explains how to use levels of touch that bypass the horse's survival-fight-flight (sympathetic) nervous system and access that part of the nervous system that relaxes and releases tension (parasympathetic). The result is improved comfort, movement and performance, as well as new levels of trust and relationship between horse and human.

Sunday 2:00pm -3:00pm   Cattle Barn Arena
Primary Issues and Muscle Tension Patterns - How to do bodywork and talk at the same time!
If you don't remedy what's causing the pain and tension, it's just gonna come back. Some owners wish their horses to come back to this final presentation for some additional work to see if there has been improvement and so Jim can answer questions. 

 
Photo by MMCP



Photo by Crissi McDonald




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