Connect the Spots

11/01/2025

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Check out some of this year’s most Spook-tacular faces! 👻

10/21/2025

10/16/2025

10/01/2025

You can get the home study course for free when you register for the upcoming weekend course November 8-9 at Shiloh Manor!

10/01/2025

This is a beautiful explanation of the consent and communication that is also present in bodywork!

09/22/2025

‼️Maryland‼️ Masterson Method Weekend Seminar‼️This is the LAST course for 2025 in the mid atlantic region.

In this interactive workshop, you'll discover how to identify and harness the horse's visual cues in response to your touch, allowing you to alleviate built-up tension in critical areas that impact their performance.

SAFE horses will be available for practice during the course, and you'll have the opportunity to implement these techniques with your own horse afterward! These methods have been effectively taught to thousands of horse owners, therapists, and trainers around the globe, helping them to enhance their communication and strengthen their bond with their horses.

Claim your spot here:

https://mastersonmethod.com/product/st-inigoes-md-nov-2025/and

09/19/2025

SKELETAL DEVELOPMENT should be considered more when we are developing young horses.

I’m not a trainer, and I can appreciate the idea of introducing tack and weight to young horses…slowly and mindfully while keeping the work light enough that the skeletal maturity is allowed for.

What I do wish I saw more of-is developing biomechanical balance in young horses from the ground before introducing tack and rider weight.

From the bodyworker perspective-the most common areas of soreness I see in ridden horses are the areas of the skeletal system that mature last…

While it’s not a clinical study by any means-but with well over 1000’s of massages under my hands I see enough of a correlation to be convinced we are doing too much too soon. More common than not-I see biomechanical imbalances in horses (of all ages) attempting to be corrected under saddle instead of in hand, which creates various compensation patterns elsewhere in the body.

I had these images created for my online classes to help owners and professionals better understand how the maturity timeline can impact performance development.

I share these thoughts in an effort to bring mindful awareness-never to criticize. I hope to see more ridden horses making it to their teens before they’re needing pharmaceutical intervention instead of the 5-10 year olds I see now.
The best time to learn new things and do better for the horse is now.

https://www.schaefferbodyworks.com/

09/11/2025

Coming up soon! Sign up before it fills!

Explore equine bodywork with the Masterson Method Weekend Course in St Inigoes, MD. Gain skills to improve horse well-being and performance.

09/11/2025

A beautiful post and a beautiful service designed to assist those that continue to courageously show up. ♥️

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 (𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠)?

The title of Alan Jackson’s powerful song still echoes for so many of us. His words captured the heartbreak, the questions, and the unity of a nation forever changed on September 11, 2001.

𝑻𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒘𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆. 𝑾𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓. 𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓.

September 11th is forever etched in our hearts as a day the world stood still, and we were reminded of the fragility of life—and the strength of the human spirit.

At Withers & Wellness, our mission is deeply connected to resilience, healing, and honoring those who carry the weight of service. We stand in gratitude for our everyday heroes—first responders, veterans, active duty, and caregivers—who continue to show up with courage, often in the face of the unimaginable.

As we bow our heads in remembrance of the lives lost and forever changed on this day, let us also take a moment to honor those who still walk among us, quietly carrying the call to serve. Even if only for today, let us also remember a time when we stood united and connected—even in our differences. May we carry that spirit forward, especially now.

08/24/2025

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐨 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭

I had the opportunity to spend the day shadowing Lauren of Connect the Spots, a talented equine bodyworker and certified MMCP. She welcomed me with such openness—allowing me to step into her world, meet two of her amazing clients and their horses, and patiently answer my endless questions.

The truth is, I’m still exploring “what I want to be when I grow up” (because who says you can’t reinvent yourself in your 50s?). This experience reminded me that learning never stops—and that growth comes not just from teachers, but from the horses and their humans who share their stories and wisdom along the way.

I walked away inspired, curious, and deeply appreciative of the generosity Lauren showed in letting me walk beside her for the day. It was such a gift to learn through both her hands and the horses’ responses.

Here’s to new chapters, new mentors, and always being a student of the horse. 💜

08/24/2025

This was such a well spent, enjoyable day! 💕