Revive Integrated Equine Bodywork

01/14/2025

Chance in the snow.
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12/05/2024

Tis the season - send a horse friend the gift of an equine bodywork session!

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09/08/2024

This month marks my one-year anniversary as a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner. Within each passing month, I’ve continued to grow and gain my own rhythm within bodywork sessions. I’ve expanded my equine community within the state. I’ve made notable changes in how horses are feeling in their bodies and the relationships owners are having with their horses. And this has all been done while loving every moment of it.

My affinity for the work has been so persistent that I’ve been finding myself yearning to continue learning as much as I can on the subject. I know deepening my knowledge and skill set is crucial in this path I’ve set out on.

To fill this yearning, I’ve enrolled in another program that I feel will complement my work as a Masterson Method practitioner. All good things take time, and in time, I will be expanding what I am able to offer this wonderful community I’ve been fortunate enough to work with. I'll open up more about this process in the coming months, but for now, happy September!

Big shout out to for the beautiful 📷
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06/26/2024

Mark your calendars! I will be instructing a Masterson Method interactive demonstration at on Saturday, July 20th from 9AM-12PM. You can haul your own horse in, or opt to use one of Windhorse's program horses.

To register, send me an email at [email protected]

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06/19/2024

Big releases happened during this mare's Masterson Method session today. As we finished working through her hind endpoints, she laid down and went into full rest and relaxation mode. It feels like such a gift getting to be a part of the process in helping horses release tightness and restrictions in their bodies.

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05/07/2024

"First you go with the horse. Then the horse goes with you. Then you go together."
- Tom Dorrance

05/02/2024

Such a wonderful explanation as to what the Masterson Method is and how it differs from traditional equine massage!

Recently, I’ve had quite a few people mention and/or inquire if The Masterson Method is “massage”. Though traditional equine massage is an excellent modality to help horses feel better, Masterson Method is not massage. As Jim Masterson refers to it as “Beyond Horse Massage”. And it is!

With traditional massage we manually manipulate the soft tissues with our hands (better tool than anything on the market) to release tension in the superficial and some deep muscles of the horse’s body. The horse can be munching on hay, not paying attention to the therapist but we can still continue to massage. Many horses just love it and some may be quite sensitive but the benefits are the same. During massage, the horse may constantly switch from the sympathetic (fight, flight, freeze) to the parasympathetic (rest and digest “healing state”). Either way, this doesn’t really affect the work being done. The horse will still benefit.

With the Masterson Method, the horse “MUST” participate for it to work! The practitioner’s goal is to take each joint of the body through a small range of motion . . . “in a relaxed state”. It may be only seconds but can be minutes that the horse goes into the parasympathetic state and we create range of motion in that quick span of time and the “magic” is that when we do so, with timing and feel, it triggers the central nervous system to release deep seated tension and restriction in key junctions of the body that most affect performance. The joints of the key junctions are embedded deep beneath layers of soft tissue. It is impossible to “massage” these key places. But we can reach it through the central nervous system. And to bring further clarification, The Masterson Method, though it may appear that way, is not stretching either. When we “stretch” a horse, the muscles are active. With The Masterson Method we create range of motion when the muscles are “relaxed”.

And this takes us back to, “Is The Masterson Method massage?” The simple answer is, no it is not. However, it can have the same affects as massage and goes even deeper . . . It goes “beyond massage”. This is why our title isn’t “Massage Therapist”, rather “Masterson Method Certified Practitioner”. The two certifications are completely different, as is the application.

Yes, I am certified in equine massage and do still use a portion of that very effective modality but I’m also a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner and can offer the horse both! If you’d like to learn more, below is a link to The Masterson Method Website. I hope this helps to clarify those asking.

https://mastersonmethod.com

04/04/2024

This summer the lovely Laura Faber-Morris will be instructing a weekend seminar in Kalispell, Montana. Myself and Helena Equine will be there assisting!

In this foundational course, you will have hands-on exposure to the techniques covered in the Beyond Horse Massage book. You will also be learning to recognize the visual responses of the horse to your touch when finding and releasing accumulated tension within the key junctions of their body. While horses will be provided at the course, you’ll be able to apply all that you’ve learned to your own horse afterward!

If you’re interested in attending and have further questions, contact [email protected]. To register, head over to www.mastersonmethod.com/product/kalispell-mt-aug-2024/.
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04/02/2024

Our Lizzi Brewster, from Bozeman, MT is this week's feature for !

Growing up in Montana, Lizzi had an early exposure to horses which has followed her throughout her life journey. After graduating from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Equine Science, she moved back to Bozeman and became a Masterson Method® Certified Practitioner (MMCP).

As an MMCP, Lizzi is committed to providing horses with a comprehensive bodywork session in which she identifies areas holding tension and helps facilitate the releasing of that tension with the goal of improving performance, range of motion, movement, and the overall well-being of the horse.

To learn more about Lizzi and her services visit reviveequinebodywork.com or go to the following link:
https://i.mtr.cool/hatzfbffmq

01/31/2024

Demonstrations offer an interactive learning experience for horse enthusiasts who are seeking to learn more about the Masterson Method. For more information about hosting a demo, contact me directly! .....................................................

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01/10/2024

Before a session starts, an evaluation is done. The purpose of this evaluation is to gather information to help determine what might be causing tension in the horse’s body. If the tension is cleared but the cause of the tension is not identified, then it will simply return. Common primary issues or causes of tension include:
- Injuries or accidents
- Compensation from injuries
- Dental
- Saddle fit
- Improper conditioning
- Rider imbalances
- Conformation
- Digestive, systemic or metabolic issues

Understanding the distinction between a reaction and restriction is an important factor in helping determine what the primary cause might be. A reaction is an indication of a current issue while a restriction is an indication of a long-term or past issue. The degree of restriction can be an indication of the age or severity of that past issue.

When a horse palpates reactively, this is an indication of pain in that area. The cause of the pain is current and whatever is creating it is still a factor. In time, if the cause of that pain is not eliminated the muscles will then tighten in effort to protect the area. This area will now show up as both sore (reactive) as well as stiff (restrictive). Now if the primary cause of tension is never resolved, the muscles will only continue to tighten and lock up. They will lose sensitivity to palpation and a degrade in the range of motion will be felt.

Using this system of evaluation can be such an impactful tool when it comes to helping horses alleviate tension as well as for owners looking to identify primary causes of that tension.