The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork

The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork Improving performance, communication and relationship with your horse. The Masterson Method® is an integrated, multi-modality method of equine massage.
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It is a unique, interactive method of equine massage in which you learn to recognize and use the responses of the horse to your touch to find and release accumulated tension in key junctions of the body that most affect performance. In contrast to most traditional modalities, it enables the horse to actively participate in the process of releasing tension. It is something you do with the horse, ra

ther than to the horse. This participation and interaction are what makes the method fascinating for those who use it. In fact, if you do not allow the horse to participate, it does not work!

12/17/2025

Why Wednesday ~ I have observed that when my horse gets tense in the hind end muscles, his back feels tight too. What can be the cause, and how can I help him release that tension?

Answer: Because the pelvis is the connection hub between the hind legs and the spine. Big power muscles in the hind end attach to the pelvis, and the pelvis meets the sacrum at the sacro-iliac (SI) joints. When those muscles tighten or pull unevenly, they can create torque through the pelvis, and once the SI area braces, the back often follows.

Doing Search-Response-Stay-Release on the Hind End Points with your horse will help him release tension in those big muscles and help him move more comfortably and freely. The Hind End points are the following:

🔹Under the Tail Points
🔹Sacroiliac Point
🔹Hip Joint Point
🔹Pelvic Point
🔹Stifle Point
🔹P***c Symphysis Point

Here’s the part that surprises a lot of people: a lighter touch can actually help release deeper tension. When you use a soft contact on the Hind End Points, the horse doesn’t brace against pressure.

Instead, their nervous system can start to feel what’s happening deeper under the surface (often in the low back and SI area), and that’s where real release begins. So, very often, less pressure doesn’t mean less effective but deeper releases.

👉 Share this video with anyone who may find it useful! And if you’d like to go deeper, join a hands-on Weekend Course to learn Masterson Method® techniques to improve mobility, release tension, and deepen your bond with your horse.

https://mastersonmethod.com/beyond-horse-massage-weekend-seminar/

12/15/2025

Already working with horses and people in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS)? The Masterson Method Equine Specialist course adds another way to support both.

This training is designed for people working in equine-assisted service settings, and for those who support both the horses and the people in those programs.

That includes:
• EAS volunteers
• Equine managers and horse care staff
• Instructors, therapists, and program team members

If you already work with horses and people and want to bring an additional layer of support, the MMES Course teaches you how to apply Masterson Method techniques to:

• Support horses in EAS programs on an ongoing basis
• Help horses release tension and become more comfortable in their bodies
• Offer safe, appropriate hands-on techniques that benefit both horse and participant

Participants also learn how to facilitate an experiential activity using the Bladder Meridian Technique, along with additional Masterson Method techniques to support the physical and emotional well-being of EAS horses.

Learn more about this course and upcoming dates in the link below:
https://mastersonmethod.com/equinespecialist/

Did you know that Jim Masterson has been featured on multiple podcasts talking about The Masterson Method, equine perfor...
12/12/2025

Did you know that Jim Masterson has been featured on multiple podcasts talking about The Masterson Method, equine performance, and helping horses release tension?

We’ve put all of his podcast conversations together on one page so you can:

◾Listen while you ride, drive, or do barn chores

◾Hear the story of how The Masterson Method developed

◾Deepen your understanding of how horses respond to soft, interactive bodywork

Hear Jim on shows with hosts such as Samantha Baer (The Elevated Equestrian), Patrick King (Talking About Horses Podcast), and Daniel Dauphin (Adult Onset Horsemanship Podcast), among others.

If you’d like to hear more of Jim’s insights on equine bodywork, relaxation, and performance, you can access the full podcast collection here:

https://mastersonmethod.com/podcasts/

12/10/2025

Why Wednesday ~ What do you do when your horse hates a hand on her nose? I’ve been trying to do this, using light pressure and trying not to force it, but she tosses her head so high that I can’t reach.

Answer: A lot of horses, for whatever reason, are uncomfortable with a hand on the nose, and it can cause the same reaction. Who knows why. It's not your fault; maybe something that happened in the past, but they just don't like it.

You can slide your hand down to the side of the halter and hold it there instead. If you're trying to do Lateral Cervical Flexion, and the halter or noseband is too loose, try twisting it a little bit in your fingers to take up the extra slack. That will give you a little more contact and control when doing, for example, the Lateral Cervical Flexion Technique. And you don't get the reaction you do when you put your hand on her nose.

Watch Jim work gently with this horse, who’s uncomfortable during the Jawline Wiggle Technique, and see how he helps him through the fidgeting while staying soft.

👉 Share this video with anyone who may find it useful! And if you’d like to go deeper, join a hands-on Weekend Course to learn Masterson Method® techniques to improve mobility, release tension, and deepen your bond with your horse.

https://mastersonmethod.com/beyond-horse-massage-weekend-seminar/

New video of Jim in collaboration with Absorbine and Horse & Rider Magazine. Check it out!
12/09/2025

New video of Jim in collaboration with Absorbine and Horse & Rider Magazine.
Check it out!

12/08/2025

“The very first horse I worked with…” and everything changed.
This student’s first practice with a Quarter Horse shows what so many people feel when they start learning The Masterson Method: horses respond in a way that’s hard to forget.

And that’s exactly why our instructors say becoming a practitioner is so worth it. When you’re committed to the work, you gain a lifelong skill that helps horses and brings real fulfillment to you. Students come from all backgrounds, bring their own specialties, and learn to support horses in a way that’s both practical and deeply rewarding.

If you want to build this skill set for your horse (or for your professional path), come learn with us. 🐴

Find more information by clicking the link below

https://f.mtr.cool/hosutbrtgb

12/05/2025

Check this out! Did you know that Jim Masterson is collaborating with Absorbine and Horse & Rider Magazine in a series of videos to demonstrate key Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork® techniques to improve your horse's overall wellness?

Watch the video and see how a few simple techniques can make a big difference!

12/03/2025

Why Wednesday ~ I’ve recently begun taking my horse to dressage shows, and I’d like to help him stay as supple as possible while competing. Any tips on what parts of his body I should prioritize with The Masterson Method?

Answer: Dressage asks a lot physically, and even a well-conditioned, correctly ridden dressage horse benefits from consistent bodywork. As your horse moves up the levels, fresh patterns of tightness can appear and need extra attention. Staying on top of regular releases helps keep him even, relaxed through his topline, and able to move with freedom.

A particularly valuable place to check is the poll, specifically the space between the occiput and atlas. When that area gets restricted, it can ripple down through the rest of the body and show up in the way the horse travels. And as the neck, shoulder, and wither muscles develop with training, they’re worth addressing too, so they don’t become limiting factors.

One helpful technique for keeping this area loose is Lateral Cervical Flexion. You can watch Jim demonstrate how to do Lateral Cervical Flexion in the Dressage Movements Revealed video.

Want to learn sport-specific Masterson Method bodywork to support your horse's flexibility, rhythm, and longevity? Check out the Dressage Movements Revealed Video (Online Streaming) on our website store. Black Friday special until December 4: 25% off!

https://mastersonmethod.com/product/dressage-movements-revealed-dvd/

12/01/2025

Ever wonder why a movement feels “stuck” even when the training is there? The Dressage Movements Revealed video takes you inside the horse’s body, allowing you to see what helps (or limits) extension, collection, bending, and lateral work. Learn sport-specific Masterson Method bodywork to support flexibility, rhythm, and longevity.

You’ll get clear, practical insights you can use right away, whether you’re schooling at home or fine-tuning for the show ring. Perfect for riders, trainers, and bodyworkers who want to keep their horses feeling their best and moving freely.

🖤 Black Friday Sale: 25% OFF through Dec 4: select the Dressage Movements Revealed Video in Online Streaming by clicking on the link below before the discount ends! 🎥🐎

https://mastersonmethod.com/product/dressage-movements-revealed-dvd/

11/28/2025

What if a lighter touch could create a deeper relaxation in the horse's body? 🤍
The Light To The Core Video teaches you how to use light touch to listen, find tension, and help your horse soften from the inside out.

Right now, it’s on sale for Black Friday: 25% off (DVD or Online Streaming) through December 4.
And yes, it’s the only prerequisite for joining a Light To The Core course. So if you were thinking of signing up to one of our Light To The Core courses, seize the occasion now!

Check it out here: https://mastersonmethod.com/product/light-to-the-core-dvd/

On this day of gratitude, we’re giving thanks for our horses, our shared journey, and this wonderful community.Thank you...
11/27/2025

On this day of gratitude, we’re giving thanks for our horses, our shared journey, and this wonderful community.

Thank you for being willing to learn how to help horses feel better in their bodies and minds through The Masterson Method.

Wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving. 🧡🐴

11/26/2025

Why Wednesday ~ My horse has difficulty bringing his hind legs under to be able to round his back. My trainer thinks that he has tension around the sacroiliac joint. Which technique would you recommend?”

Answer: Horses often accumulate tension through the lumbosacral area and the sacro-iliac (SI) junction, which can reduce hind-end range of motion.

Even though the SI has only a tiny amount of movement, it’s a key shock-absorbing connection between the spine and pelvis and a main transfer point for the push from the hind legs. When it’s tight, horses may shorten their stride, avoid stepping under, and struggle to lift their back.

To help your horse most in this area first, you want to release as much tension as possible in the hind-end muscles. Before doing movement techniques, start with the Hind End Points:

• Under the Tail Points
• Sacroiliac Point
• Hip Joint Point
• Pelvic Point
• Stifle Point
• P***c Symphysis Point

Once you have helped release tension in this area, add gentle movement at the SI by working on the Sacroiliac Point while inviting the horse to drop the pelvis slightly on each side. This can restore comfort, engagement, and a freer step-under behind. Watch Jim’s demo about how working on the SI point promotes movement in relaxation in this joint.

Want to learn more about these light-touch techniques that ease and reset the deeper interconnections in your horse’s body? Check out Light to the Core (DVD/Online Streaming) on our website store. Black Friday special until December 4: 25% off!

https://mastersonmethod.com/product/light-to-the-core-dvd/

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Fairfield, IA
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