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!

📢BIG FERGUS NEWS!📢There's a new book from Fergus coming up that we are all going to enjoy! In this newest comic adventur...
11/14/2025

📢BIG FERGUS NEWS!📢

There's a new book from Fergus coming up that we are all going to enjoy! In this newest comic adventure, Fergus is soaring over jumps and collecting prizes… until the stress of it all starts weighing him down.
And who should appear to help him feel better? Jim Masterson!

With gentle hands and a calming presence, Jim helps Fergus unwind, release tension, and remember how good it feels to just be a horse.

Jean Abernethy captures every hilarious and heartwarming moment, and we’re thrilled to see Jim featured in such a fun yet meaningful way.

🐴Fergus and the Man Named Jim is now available for pre-order for delivery in the US, México, and Canada on our website (link below). Don’t miss this charming new chapter in the Fergus universe for $18.95! (shipping mid-December)

https://mastersonmethod.com/product/fergus-and-the-man-named-jim-book/

11/12/2025

Why Wednesday: My horse had dental issues last year. Everything was treated and cleared up by the dentist, but he still shows sensitivity that feels like lingering tension in the TMJ. Since he reacts to pressure, is there a light-touch way to help him?

Answer: Even after dental problems are resolved, some horses hold on to tension in the tissues around the jaw and TMJ. That lingering tightness can be uncomfortable, and they usually cannot let it go without a bit of guidance. This is where the Masterson Method can be very helpful, because we work with their subtle responses to find the exact spots that need attention.

A great starting point for this situation is the TMJ Point. This joint is where the jaw meets the temporal bone. To find it, trace a line from the outer corner of the eye toward the base of the ear until you feel a small dip between two bones.

How to try it:

▪️Begin with the Search Response Stay Release to locate the precise spot your horse reacts to, often with a blink. You can do one side at a time or both. Notice which side carries more tension.
▪️Use air-gap pressure. Hover over the hair or barely touch the skin if he is extra sensitive, then wait for his response.
▪️Stay connected with him and follow the blink. Light touch is usually the most effective here.

If you want to learn more about how gentle techniques can support your horse’s comfort and overall well-being, take a look at our Light to the Core courses:
https://mastersonmethod.com/light-to-the-core-course-2/

11/07/2025

Hyoid Release Follow-Up! Jim demonstrates how to place your hand softly on the roof of the horse's mouth.
But make sure you keep watching: his caution joke at the end is classic Jim😂😂

If you want to learn how to do these techniques safely and with guided practice, sign up for a Weekend Course. On our website you'll find all available dates and locations.

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

11/05/2025

Why Wednesday ⁓ My horse tenses the masseter very often and the vet said he has a tight TMJ and Hyoid. Is there anything I can do with The Masterson Method to help him release tension in that area?

Answer: Yes, one simple technique you could try is the Hyoid Release technique. This is a subtle movement technique in which we do not move anything ourselves, we simply apply a light, steady touch and let the horse create the movement.

By resting the thumb gently on the roof of the mouth, or placing a finger softly under the tongue on the bars of the lower jaw, we stimulate the horse to move the tongue in and out. This natural movement helps loosen the hyoid apparatus and supports release through interconnected areas including:

🔸The tongue and jaw
🔸The TMJ
🔸The poll
🔸The upper cervical vertebrae
🔸Muscles connecting to the sternum and forelimb

As the horse relaxes into this, the tongue and jaw movement becomes softer and more coordinated, indicating tension is releasing. It usually takes only 10–20 seconds, and can be done from both sides to access slightly different movement patterns.

👉 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/

11/04/2025

Check this out! In this Absorbine® video, Masterson walks viewers through practical methods horse owners can use to help their horses move more freely, perform better, and feel their best.

10/31/2025

Horses are highly sensitive to our intention. Even when our hands are gentle, they can feel when we approach them intending to “fix” something. That type of intention can create internal bracing, and the horse prepares, protects, and holds tension instead of releasing it.

In The Masterson Method®, we approach with curiosity, softness, and neutrality. Instead of having the intention to solve a specific issue, we observe and follow the horse’s responses.

When we shift from “fixing” to noticing, the horse’s nervous system stays relaxed, and that’s when deeper releases naturally happen. Let the horse show you what needs attention. A neutral intention creates safety, and in safety, the body can truly let go.

👉 Want to learn this approach hands-on? Explore our Beyond Horse Massage Weekend Courses and discover how intention, feel, and responsiveness transform the horse-human relationship while helping horses improve their comfort and performance.

https://mastersonmethod.com/courses/

Massage

10/29/2025

Why Wednesday ~ My horse has been a bit stiff in his back lately, and I have tried the Lateral Rocking technique from the Beyond Horse Massage book, but I can't get the movement through the back to his nose because he braces a little. Do you have any tips for doing this technique with him?

Answer: Many horses need a little extra time to let the motion travel from their hindquarters, through the spine, up to the neck and head. If your horse has been holding tension, has back discomfort or restriction, he might instinctively brace against the movement, especially if it’s too firm or not rhythmic enough.

Here’s a simple tweak: soften the rocking into a gentle wiggle, just like instructor Sandy Vreeburg demonstrates in this clip. Keep it subtle, smooth, and rhythmic for at least 30 seconds, giving your horse a chance to relax into it.

Tips to try:
🔹 Stand by the hip, place your rocking hand on the sacrum, and lightly hold the dock of the tail (no wagging!).
🔹 Start small side-to-side movements with your rocking hand until you find a rhythm that your horse responds to.
🔹 Bring in your helping hand to enhance the rolling motion. Imagine a wave traveling through his body. Stay relaxed and breathe!
🔹 Guide the motion toward areas that need extra attention, moving your helping hand along ribs that line up with tight spots.

If you stay light enough, long enough, as Jim usually says, your horse will often let go of more tension than you might expect!

Ready to take what you see here and feel it for yourself? Join a Weekend Course before October 31 and you’ll get the Home Study Course FREE, that’s a $179.99 bonus! Don’t miss the chance to connect deeper with your horse and bring these techniques to life.

👉 Click on the link below to find the course nearest you before the offer ends!
https://mastersonmethod.com/courses/


10/27/2025

The horse's poll is one of the first places tension shows up and often, the last place it lets go.

As Jim explains, the poll accumulates tension from all kinds of issues throughout the body: a sore back, tight hind end, sore front feet, or even ulcers. Every issue affecting the horse's body can show up here, too.

That’s why when you learn The Masterson Method, and especially on the Advanced 5-Day Course, you learn not only to see where the problem appears, but also where the origin can be. We listen to what the horse’s body is telling us, following the body's interconnections between the poll and the rest of the horse.

When we help a horse release tension at the poll, we’re not just creating relaxation. We’re helping the whole body go back to balance and comfort.

This is the last week Jim’s Birthday Sale is on! Get a Free Beyond Horse Massage Home Study Course (worth $179.99) with any Weekend or Advanced 5-Day Course until October 31 (plus bonus videos for Advanced students).

Sign up now:
https://f.mtr.cool/uhoawwcpbu

Many horse owners want to help their horses feel and perform their best, and often find themselves searching for that de...
10/24/2025

Many horse owners want to help their horses feel and perform their best, and often find themselves searching for that deeper, more effective way to do so.

Our latest blog post, “5 Reasons to Attend a Masterson Method® Course,” explores what happens when you step into a hands-on learning environment with your horse.

In this blog post, you’ll discover how attending a course can help you:

• Develop your feel through hands-on learning.
• Get direct expert feedback and grow confidence.
• Deepen your connection with your horse in ways you may not have imagined.
• Join a supportive community of fellow horse-lovers.

For many, attending a Masterson Method® course isn’t just educational, it’s transformational. It changes the way you see, listen to, and connect with horses. It’s an experience that often deepens not just your skills, but your understanding of your horse and yourself.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes the Masterson Method® unique, or simply want to understand your horse on a deeper level, this blog post offers a thoughtful look inside the experience.

👉 Read it here:
https://f.mtr.cool/cyqgmhitym

10/22/2025

Why Wednesday ~ My horse tends to feel tight through the shoulders when bending in both directions, especially to the right. After training, I like to do some Masterson Method® techniques, but when I try the Under the Scapula Technique, he tosses his head. What can I do to help him relax during this technique?

Answer: The Under the Scapula Technique is a wonderful way to help a horse let go of shoulder tension because it works on the deeper muscles that affect how the front legs, neck, and back move together. When a horse tosses his head during this technique, it’s often a sign that there’s tightness or discomfort under the scapula.

The key is to go very slowly. Keep your hands soft, and if you feel your horse start to tense or lift his head, just pause. Wait there until you feel him soften, then gently continue. Going at the horse’s pace helps him feel safe and avoids that fidgety reaction.

As Jim shows in this video, moving slowly and patiently allows the horse to stay relaxed while you work deeper into those shoulder muscles.

Want to learn these techniques hands-on? Now’s the perfect time! When you sign up for a Weekend Course before October 31, you’ll get the Home Study Course FREE (a $179.99 value)! It’s the best way to deepen your feel, gain confidence, and start using these techniques with your own horse.

👉 Click on the link below to find the course nearest you before the offer ends!
https://f.mtr.cool/pmoprktdjp


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1916 Highway 1
Fairfield, IA
52556

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