Is your horse suffering from tension or restriction that is affecting performance?
The Masterson Method can help by releasing tightness, improving mobility, and enhancing overall comfort through gentle, hands-on techniques that work with the horse’s natural responses.
www.amandagunn-equinebodywork.com.au
The Masterson Method promotes deeper relaxation, improved mobility, and enhanced communication between horse and handler by addressing and releasing tension in the horse’s body.
#mastersonmethod
#mastersonmethodstudent
Horses yawn, scratch and stretch when they release tension as a physiological response that helps them relax and reset their nervous system.
#mastersonmethod
#mastersonmethodstudent
Why The Masterson Method®?
#mastersonmethod
I think I’ve found a sweet spot.
Trooper can often give some pretty big “no’s” when I’m practicing my Masterson Method techniques.
And that’s okay.
I listen to him. Together we have been experimenting with different techniques.
Interestingly to me, he was able to really relax into Head Up. Soooo good.
He generally doesn’t like to share his releases too often.
Here you can see he’s trying to trick me by looking like he wants to eat but really there is a release happening!
Horses are prey animals, and in the wild, any sign of vulnerability, including showing signs of pain or discomfort, could make them targets for predators. As a result, horses have evolved to hide their weaknesses and avoid showing signs of distress or release. This survival instinct is deeply ingrained, and even domesticated horses often retain this behavior.
If you’d like to know more:
www.mastersonmethod.com
#mastersonmethod
#mastersonmethodstudent
Such a funny guy.
For anyone who has been following my journey with Trooper and the Masterson Method, you’ll know it’s been no easy feat.
It’s something we are still slowly working at together.
While I can’t say for sure, it’s often like he really tries to avoid the releases. He definitely doesn’t like to show it.
Here is a wonderful rare moment of where I gave him heaps of time and he really settled into this ‘down and back’ technique.
We’re slowly chipping away.
#mastersonmethod
#mastersonmethodstudent
Meet Jukebox Jet.
(Stay with the video to watch the processing slowly increase.)
This guy is simply gorgeous. He has a career as a pacer. This was our first session and this big cat stretch came after some work in the front end.
Jet was a little wary/ protective of his hind end today. I’m looking forward to seeing how we go next session once he knows me a little better.
The Masterson Method® provides several benefits for horses, including improved flexibility and range of motion through gentle, techniques where we listen to, and work with, the horse.
It can help to alleviate stress and tension in the horse, promoting overall relaxation and comfort. This method can enhance the horse’s performance and well-being by addressing underlying physical issues and improving their overall movement.
If you’d like to know more, check out:
www.mastersonmethod.com
#mastersonmethod #mastersonmethodstudent
Socks is an OTTB who is now performing in dressage and jumping.
This is just a little of what she had to say about her Masterson Method®️ session yesterday.
Some background re the Method:
“The horse communicates almost entirely through body language; from the most subtle level to the most obvious. Most of the horse’s body language is missed by us. The Masterson Method is an interactive method of bodywork in which the owner uses subtle changes in body language to get not-so-subtle results.
By applying levels of pressure (touch) and movement to the horse’s body in a way that the horse’s nervous system is unable to brace against or guard - and reading changes in the horse’s behavior as you do this – you enable the horse to tell you where it is holding tension; you enable her nervous system to release it; and you enable her to tell you when it has been released.
That part of the horse’s nervous system that blocks out pain and discomfort (the sympathetic, or flight, fight or freeze) lets go, and that part of the nervous system that regenerates and heals (the parasympathetic) comes into play. This allows the horse to release tension that it has difficulty releasing on its own.”
Taken directly from: www.mastersonmethod.com
For more info check out this site.
Trooper walking down to meet me was especially nice today.
We have been working some stuff out.
And in the process it has meant lots of poking and prodding.
I’m still trying to learn his language.
I hope we are getting there. Slowly.
I want nothing but the best for him.
Maybe deep down he knows that.
At least I hope so…
Athena
Absolutely honoured to work with stunning Athena today for our second session.
This session was so different to the first. In the first she was quite stoic and didn’t give much away.
Today was sooooo different. We had huge release responses with a cat stretch, poll scratch with her hind leg and leg stretches out the rear.
I didn’t manage to catch a shot of those but I did capture a whole 5 mins of yawns - amazing.
So nice to work with this super star and I hope together we have released some tension. Such a nice experience to notice the difference between sessions.
I like to think that she knew what I was there for this time and therefore more willing to ‘let me in’. It was certainly a demonstration of the connection that can be formed.
Thank you Athena - and a massive thank you to Helen Warburton for allowing me the pleasure.
#mastersonmethod
Absolutely honoured to work with stunning Athena today for our second session.
This session was so different to the first. In the first she was quite stoic and didn’t give much away.
Today was sooooo different. We had huge release responses with a cat stretch, poll scratch with her hind leg and leg stretches out the rear.
I didn’t manage to catch a shot of those but I did capture a whole 5 mins of yawns - amazing.
So nice to work with this super star and I hope together we have released some tension. Such a nice experience to notice the difference between sessions.
I like to think that she knew what I was there for this time and therefore more willing to ‘let me in’. It was certainly a demonstration of the connection that can be formed.
Thank you Athena - and a massive thank you to Helen Warburton for allowing me the pleasure.
#mastersonmethod
Continuing my ‘work in progress’ with Trooper as we explore the Masterson Method.
He still gives me very definite “no’s” so we slow it down, soften and explore ‘yes’ areas.
I was pretty chuffed today that he stayed with me for the sacrum float and some hind end points. There were a few moments of “don’t you dare” but they were mixed with moments of release.
I took the opportunity while I could - and to be honest I could have stayed with him all day.
But rather than overstay my welcome we called it a day on a high note. Every little bit making a difference.
I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s up for tomorrow.
Love ya Troop 💗
#themastersonmethod #mastersonmethod #mastersonmethodstudent #ahhhtherelease
