Why Wednesday: A few months ago, my horse suffered a groin muscle injury. While the vet confirmed he’s fully recovered, his stride behind still seems shortened. Could lingering tension in the groin be affecting other muscles or joints in his hind end?
When groin muscles are tight, they can cause tension in the stifles, making it challenging for the horse to bring the stifles outward. By releasing tension in the stifle, we can also help relax the muscles that connect to it, including deeper muscles in the back and the groin.
The affected muscles might remain tight if a horse resumes work too soon after a groin injury. Techniques like the Hind End Points can relieve this tension and help prevent one-sided issues from developing.
The Stifle Point is one of the key Hind End Points to focus on. Located in a soft indentation on the inside of the upper leg near the stifle, this point relaxes the muscles pulling on the stifle and influences deeper muscles in the hind end and groin. Releasing tension here supports a healthy range of motion in the stifle.
Use a very light touch—air-gap pressure—to find this point until the horse blinks. Then, hold your hand there until the horse gives a release response. As Jim says in the video you don't have to worry about finding the exact point, when you search in the area, the horse will tell you with his blink where to stay.
A word of caution: Some horses are particularly sensitive in this area, so always watch their body language. If their ears pin back, stop immediately. To ensure the horse is comfortable, work on other Hind End Points first before addressing the Stifle Point.
Join a Weekend Course to learn effective techniques that promote your horse’s well-being, enhance their movement, and help them feel their best. Whether for routine care or performance enhancement, this method of bodywork delivers real results.
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Horses are herd animals and communicate through body language. To survive, a horse will instinctively block pain and tension and cover up its weaknesses.
One reason The Masterson Method works so well is because of the horse's incredible awareness and sensitivity to outside stimuli. Working with this sensitivity, you can access a level of the horse's nervous system that enables him to release deep stress in his muscles, connective tissue, and structures.
To do this you must learn how to use touch, and how to read what the horse is telling you through his responses and body language. When you learn to follow the signs and responses the horse gives you, he lets you know where he is holding tension and when his body releases that tension. By using levels of pressure that the horse's defense system doesn't internally resist, you enable the horse's nervous system to release tension that he has been covering up.
Want to learn more? Sign up for a hands-on Weekend Course and explore Masterson Method® techniques to improve mobility, release tension, and strengthen your bond with your horse.
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Why Wednesday: My horse has a lot of tension in the poll. While he's more or less comfortable when I do the Lateral Cervical Flexion Technique, he won’t relax when I try the Head Up Technique and ask him to rest his head on my shoulder. Any tips for helping him with this?
Answer: Some horses relax easily into this position, while others stay tense. Since your horse can relax during the Lateral Cervical Flexion Technique, try approaching the Head Up Technique this way:
🔹Start with the Lateral Cervical Flexion Technique, gently bringing your horse's head to the side.
🔹Place one hand lightly on his nose and the other under his chin, then begin lifting his head slowly and lightly.
🔹Watch for blinks—this signals he's feeling something in that spot. Pause and let him rest his head on your hands.
If he suddenly lifts his head, resist the urge to restrain him. Instead, follow his movement and soften your hands. Once he relaxes, bring his head back to the side and try again. Watch Jim demonstrate this technique with a mare who is very sensitive in the poll.
Experience how the Masterson Method® achieves results through a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tension, improves mobility and enhances performance. Join a Weekend Course to learn techniques that not only help your horse feel their best but also optimize their movement and overall well-being. Whether for daily care or peak performance, this method makes a real difference.
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Why Wednesday: My horse becomes intermittently lame every few months in his right front foot. The vet has checked it several times, but the foot seems fine. Could the issue be tension in another part of his body that I can release using The Masterson Method?
Answer: This is a common scenario, especially after a horse has experienced a front-leg lameness for an extended period. Even after the primary issue is treated or healed, the horse may continue to show intermittent lameness for months.
Long-term compensation for the original lameness often creates muscle tension patterns that cause unilateral tension or torque at the C7-T1 Junction. Once the initial lameness resolves, this tension can persist, resulting in intermittent lameness until it’s released. While this tension might naturally resolve over time, helping the horse release it sooner can make a big difference.
Releasing tension at the C7-T1 Junction—where the last vertebra of the neck meets the first vertebra of the body—often alleviates or even resolves the issue. Start by releasing tension in the poll, atlas, and vertebrae of the neck. Then, focus on the Neck-Withers C7-T1 Junction using the Scapula Release Technique. You can find videos for this technique (and others) on our YouTube channel.
Ready to make a real difference for your horse? Join a hands-on Weekend Course and learn how to release tension, improve mobility, and deepen your connection with your horse using Masterson Method® techniques. Whether you're new to bodywork or want to enhance your skills, this course will leave you inspired and equipped to help your horse feel their best.
👉 Sign up now and take the first step toward a happier, healthier horse!
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Are you aware of how the different horse's body parts connect with each other? As Jim explains in the video, the atlas and sacrum of the horse are connected. When there is tension on the atlas, there will almost always be tension on the sacrum and vice versa: tension on the sacrum means tension on the atlas. When you release tension on the atlas, you are also releasing tension on the sacrum, and when you work on the sacrum, you are also working on the atlas.
Learn more about The Masterson Method by joining a hands-on Weekend Course to learn techniques you can use with your horse to improve mobility and release tension. You’ll never see horses the same again!
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Why Wednesday: My horse fidgets a lot when I do the Search-Response-Stay-Release Technique, especially around the neck and poll area. How do I know if I’m using too much pressure, or if he’s just uncomfortable and doesn’t want me to work there?
Answer: Every horse is different, and some tend to fidget more than others. For some horses, you may need to use an exceptionally light touch, practice patience, and offer breaks between spots or techniques more frequently.
Fidgeting is often a sign that the horse is on the verge of a release. When this happens, the first step is to soften your touch. If you’re using egg yolk pressure, try switching to airgap pressure. If you’re already at airgap pressure, create even more space by moving your hand a couple of inches away from the horse’s skin. The goal is to find a level of pressure where your horse feels comfortable and avoids triggering a bracing response.
If your horse is standing calmly on a spot and then starts fidgeting or stepping away, stay with him and continue the technique. Often, the fidgeting subsides after a small release. However, some horses may still move around a bit. Be sure to step back occasionally to give them space and allow them to process—this gives you insight into what they’re communicating.
With time and practice, you’ll learn to recognize releases and responses even through the fidgeting. Sometimes, the release response comes when the horse stops fussing and lets go. Here’s Jim explaining how to work through fidgeting.
If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, share, and comment! Want to learn more? Sign up for a hands-on Weekend Course and explore Masterson Method® techniques to improve mobility, release tension, and strengthen your bond with your horse.
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Improve your horse care knowledge and skills with a Special Holiday Sale!
As we step into a new year, many of us set resolutions to learn more about what we love—like our horses. If that sounds like you, we’ve got the perfect opportunity!
Until January 10, enjoy 20% OFF our Hands Online: Expert Hour Topics Library!
Our community of Masterson Method Certified Practitioners and experts bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to discuss topics including dentistry, hoof trimming, saddle fitting, and much, much more in 12 pre-recorded sessions.
✨ What’s included? Over 12 hours of content covering:
🦴 Equine Anatomy & Biomechanics – Explore your horse’s movement and physical structure in depth.
🤲 Mastering Key Techniques – Learn how to apply and refine specific Masterson Method techniques.
🧠 Understanding Responses – Decode your horse’s subtle cues and reactions to improve your connection.
Some of the featured topics are:
🔹The Hyoid Apparatus of the Horse
🔹Suppling Exercises and Masterson Method Techniques for Your Horse
🔹Equine Dental Health, TMJ Alignment, and Whole Body Balance
🔹How Horses Show PainThe Interplay Between Bodywork and Tack Fit,
🔹Feet and the Horse’s Body from a Barefoot Trimmer’s Perspective
🔹How Horses Show Pain
Perfect for Masterson Method students and MMCPs, horse owners, and equine professionals, this library is a valuable resource for anyone eager to learn more about their horse’s welfare.
💬 Here’s what one viewer shared:
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Watch as Jim Masterson shares a humorous yet eye-opening anecdote about the moment he discovered just how powerful light work on the horse’s lumbar and psoas area could be. Beyond the laughter, this story highlights a simple truth: light touch can create extraordinary improvements in both the horse’s well-being and performance.
Curious to learn more about these techniques? Visit our website and dive deeper into The Masterson Method!
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Why Wednesday: My gelding is really tight in the hind end, so I’ve tried the Hind End Points with him. When I do the Under-The-Tail Points, he clamps his tail hard on my hand. Do you have any tips to help me with this technique and help him release tension?
Answer: Many performance issues stem from hind end tension, so it’s important to slow down and give your horse’s nervous system time to release deeper muscle tension. Tightness in the sacrum can cause your horse to clamp his tail, as you described. Use a very light touch, somewhere between "air gap" and "egg yolk" pressure (what Jim calls “egg-gap”). This helps your horse relax, prevents bracing, and reaches deeper into the body to release tension.
Steps for Under-The-Tail Points:
▪️For the right-hand point, stand on the left side of the hindquarters, facing forward, and rest your right hand on the opposite butt bone. Or, stand on the same side and use your fingertips to locate the point—this often works better for horses that clamp their tails.
▪️Use air gap or egg yolk pressure to search with your right thumb around the 1 o’clock position (above and to the right of the anus) until you see a blink or other response.
▪️Soften your hand and wait. Some horses release tension in 30 seconds, while others take a few minutes. Be patient and don’t watch the clock!
▪️Repeat on the opposite side.
Some horses are sensitive here. Watch for signs like pinned ears, tail clamping, or swishing. If this happens, consider skipping these points or using the Search-Response-Stay-Release (SRSR) technique around the tailhead without placing your hand under the tail.
Want to learn more? Join our Weekend Courses in 2025! These hands-on workshops teach techniques to help your horse release tension and improve their performance. Visit our website to book your spot today!
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The winner of our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway is... Katie Aldred Thanks to all participants and Congratulations Katie!
