The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork

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The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork

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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, rather 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!

11/02/2026

What if the secret to building trust with your horse isn't about doing more, but about listening more?

When we practice the Masterson Method® with horses, we're not just working with their joints and muscles. We're working with the horse's nervous system, paying attention to subtle responses that show where they're holding tension and when they're ready to release it.

As Jim Masterson explains, when we use gentle pressure and stay under the horse's bracing response, we allow the horse to participate in the process rather than simply doing the techniques to them.

And something really interesting happens along the way. The horse begins to recognize that we're paying attention. That we're noticing those little changes in behavior, responding to what they're telling us, and allowing them to release tension at their own pace.

That's when bodywork becomes more than just releasing tension. It becomes a conversation that builds trust. As Jim likes to say, "When the horse gets that you get it," that's when they really begin to trust you.

💬 Have you ever experienced that moment when your horse seemed to realize you were truly paying attention to their responses?

👉 Want to learn how to recognize these subtle responses and help your horse release tension? Join a Masterson Method® Weekend Course and discover how to work with your horse to improve comfort, mobility, and your connection.

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

10/30/2026

When horses lie down and sleep in the middle of a Weekend Course… You know something real is happening. A shift in trust. In connection. In being with the horse.

“If you love our equine friends, you have to experience the Masterson Method and enjoy the wonder of watching the horse(s) participate with us to help them release tension and feel better. When a horse turns its head towards you with the kindest "thank you" in its eyes, you'll understand the powerful connection gained in this kind body work. You'll be hooked!”

This is one of the many heartfelt testimonials we receive from students, and we’re so grateful for every one. 💛

Here’s what you can look forward to in a Masterson Method® Weekend Course:

🔹 Join a supportive, like-minded community of horse lovers
🔹 Receive hands-on guidance from our amazing instructors
🔹 Practice the techniques from the Beyond Horse Massage book to help horses release tension and improve performance
🔹 Leave feeling confident, capable, and connected

Courses are held worldwide. Tap the link below to find a course near you and sign up today! Your horse will thank you (and maybe have a nap afterward, too!)

https://f.mtr.cool/bneogkmhik

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10/28/2026

Why Wednesday ~ My horse seems stiff through his back, especially around the lumbar area. Could tension there be affecting his movement, and how can I help?

Answer: Yes, it can. The horse's back plays an important role in movement, and tension in this area can affect how freely and comfortably the horse moves, particularly around the lumbosacral junction, where the lumbar spine meets the sacrum.

This area is closely connected to the deeper core muscles, including the psoas muscle group, which helps stabilize the spine and pelvis and supports movement through the hindquarters. When these muscles tighten, they can restrict mobility in the lower back and pelvis.

So how can we help a horse release tension in this area?

In the Masterson Method®, we use the Search–Response–Stay–Release (SRSR) process to identify areas where the horse may be holding tension and help them release it. Watch how Jim Masterson demonstrates it in the video.

When the horse responds, we stop and stay with a soft touch, sometimes using barely any pressure at all (what we call Air Gap pressure), giving the horse time to process and release the tension. Jim also explains why paying attention to the lumbosacral area, on both sides of the spine, can be particularly helpful when working with tension in the deeper core muscles.

💡 The key is using the right grade of pressure to stay under the horse's bracing response, allowing them to release tension rather than brace against our touch. By working with the horse and bringing their attention to an area where they're holding tension, we give them the opportunity to release it at their own pace.

Have you noticed your horse being stiff through their lower back? Let us know in the comments!

👉 Want to learn how to recognize these subtle responses and help your horse release tension? Join a Masterson Method® Weekend Course and discover how to work with your horse to improve comfort, mobility, and your connection.

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

10/26/2026

What if the tension your horse is holding is telling you something about a bigger issue?

Sometimes, stiffness or tension in one area of your horse's body may be connected to something happening somewhere else. Hoof discomfort, saddle fit, or other physical issues can create patterns of tension that aren't always easy to recognize.

As Jim Masterson explains in this clip, learning to identify these patterns can help you gather valuable information about what your horse might be experiencing. And while it's not always as simple as connecting A to B, the more you learn to observe, feel, and follow your horse's responses, the more you begin to understand the bigger picture.

Because releasing tension is important, but understanding why it keeps coming back is even more valuable. That's one of the things you'll begin exploring in a Beyond Horse Massage Weekend Course!

Over two days of hands-on learning, you'll discover how to recognize your horse's subtle responses, work with them by staying under their bracing response, and help your horse release tension using gentle Masterson Method® techniques.

Ready to see your horse in a whole new way? Explore our upcoming Weekend Courses and find one near you:
https://mastersonmethod.com/beyond-horse-massage-weekend-seminar/

10/23/2026

What happens when we stop trying to do something with a horse… and simply learn to be present? Sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen in moments of stillness.

At the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association in Ocala, Florida, a group of veterans discovered something special through The Masterson Method®: the power of slowing down, listening, and allowing the horse to guide the interaction.

With the gentle Bladder Meridian technique, they explored how something as simple as a light touch, patience, and awareness of the horse's responses can create moments of relaxation, trust, and connection.

And perhaps one of the most beautiful things about this work is that while we're helping horses release tension, we often find ourselves slowing down and becoming more present, too.

In our blog, "Holding Space for Stillness: How The Masterson Method Helps Horses & Veterans in Ocala", Masterson Method Equine Specialist Tina Peratino shares this touching experience and reminds us that sometimes, doing less opens the door to so much more.

Read the blog post and discover what happened when horses and humans were given the space to simply be. Full story here:

https://mastersonmethod.com/holding-space-for-stillness-honoring-horses-veterans-in-ocala/

10/21/2026

Why Wednesday: I've been trying the TMJ Point technique with my horse, but sometimes, just when I think he's starting to relax, he begins to fidget or move away. Does that mean I'm doing something wrong, or should I stop?

Answer: Not necessarily! As Jim explains in this video, sometimes when horses begin to feel tension letting go, they can become a little uncomfortable with the sensation. They may start fidgeting, moving their head, or trying to step away.

The key is to pay attention to their responses, stay under the bracing response, and avoid increasing pressure to make something happen.

The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is where the lower jaw connects to the temporal bone of the skull. Tension in this area can affect your horse's comfort through the jaw and poll.

Here's how to work with the TMJ Point technique using Search-Response-Stay-Release (SRSR):

▪️ Search: Using barely any pressure at all (Air Gap pressure), gently explore the TMJ area as shown in the video, looking for a response from the horse such as a blink.

▪️ Response: When you find the spot where your horse responds, stay there with that same extremely light touch. As Jim says, sometimes it's a matter of moving just a hair at a time to find the response.

▪️ Stay: If your horse begins to fidget, pay attention to what he's telling you. As Jim demonstrates, you can gently encourage him to stay with the process, but always soften your hand again if you've had to reposition him. Never increase pressure or restrain him to keep him there.

▪️ Release: Wait and watch for signs that your horse may be letting go of tension, such as licking and chewing, lowering his head, or yawning.

💡 Remember: The goal isn't to make your horse release tension. It's to help him become aware of where he's holding it and give him the opportunity to let it go.

Want to learn how to recognize your horse's subtle responses and use gentle bodywork techniques to help release tension?

Our Masterson Method® Weekend Courses are the perfect place to start! You'll learn how to work with the horse, follow their responses, and use bodywork techniques to help improve their comfort, movement, and relaxation.

Find a Weekend Course near you and discover what you can learn in just two days!

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

10/19/2026

Our October Masterson Method® Equine Newsletter is here, and things are getting a little... hypothetical!

While Jim was busy with the Hand in Hand Clinic, Natalie (aka “The Shadow”) took over the newsletter, bringing her sense of humor and plenty of interesting stories to share!

🐴 What do you do when a horse just isn't in the mood for bodywork? Discover some practical tips for those moments when things don't go quite as planned. (Hint: Less is More!)

📖 Meet Sterling, the horse behind A Coat Full of Dreams, a beautifully illustrated story celebrating the special bond between a horse and his person.

🌎 We're also celebrating some exciting milestones in our Masterson Method® community, including our very first Weekend Course in Slovenia and the achievements of Certified Practitioners around the world!

❤️ Read a moving story about veterans learning to give back to the horses who support them through equine-assisted programs.

And because it's October... we've even included a fun Halloween-inspired horse treat recipe! 🎃🐴

Plus, discover upcoming courses, meet our newly Certified Practitioners, and catch up on what's happening in the Masterson Method® community!

Read the October Newsletter here:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/October-2026-Equine-Newsletter.html?soid=1101956785855&aid=hifLB8C8Cf8

💌 Want more stories, practical tips, upcoming events, and the latest news from the Masterson Method® delivered straight to your inbox?
Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss the next one!

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10/16/2026

What if the secret to helping your horse release tension isn't doing more, but knowing when to do less?

One of the fundamental principles of The Masterson Method® is working below the horse's bracing response. But why is this so important?

In this conversation, Dr. Stephen Peters and Jim Masterson discuss the physiology behind this approach and why staying below that threshold can make such a difference.

When we push through resistance, the horse's body may respond by guarding, tightening, or protecting itself. Even if we achieve the movement we're asking for, it doesn't necessarily mean the horse is moving in relaxation or releasing tension.

But when we stay below that defensive threshold, we give the horse's body an opportunity to respond differently.

And that's where the magic of The Masterson Method® happens: we follow the horse's responses, soften when we encounter resistance, and allow the horse to participate in the process of releasing tension.

It's not about how much movement we can get. It's about how much relaxation we can find within that movement.

Listen to Dr. Stephen Peters and Jim Masterson explain why this principle is so important. Have you ever noticed how your horse responds differently when you use less pressure?

Want to learn how to recognize your horse's subtle responses and work below the bracing response? Explore our Masterson Method Weekend Courses at the link below:

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

10/14/2026

Why Wednesday ~ I've noticed that the muscle just behind my horse's jaw seems quite prominent and sometimes feels tight. Could this be related to tension, and is there anything I can do to help him relax that area?

Answer: It could be! Horses can develop tension around the jaw and poll for different reasons, including bracing against the bit, postural habits, or compensating for discomfort elsewhere in the body.

When a horse holds tension in this area, it may affect how freely and comfortably he moves his head and neck. One way to encourage relaxation in this area is through a gentle technique called the Lateral Wiggle.

As Jim Masterson demonstrates in this video, the movement is incredibly small, and the key isn't how much you move the horse's head, but how relaxed the movement is.

Here's what to pay attention to:

1) Start softly. Place one hand gently on your horse's nose and the other in the groove between the atlas and poll.

2) Invite a little movement. Gently bring the nose slightly toward you without pulling or forcing, and introduce tiny side-to-side wiggles.

3) Keep everything relaxed. Think micro-wiggles! Soften both hands and allow the movement to stay loose and easy.

4) Follow your horse's responses. If your horse braces against your hand, that's important information! Soften, yield slightly, and give him the opportunity to release that tension before trying again.

Remember, the goal isn't to move the horse's head farther. It's to find relaxation within the movement. This is one of the things that makes The Masterson Method® so different: rather than asking the horse to push through tension, we listen to what his body is telling us and work with him.

Want to learn how to recognize these subtle responses and use gentle techniques to help your horse release tension?
Join us at a Masterson Method® Weekend Course and discover how working with your horse, rather than on your horse, can make a difference.

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

10/12/2026

Does your horse pull away when you try to touch their head, especially around the poll? What if the answer wasn't to try again, but to move your hand further away?

In The Masterson Method®, we work with the horse, not against their bracing response. And sometimes, that means using such a light touch that we're not even touching the horse at all!

In this clip, Jim Masterson demonstrates how to use Air Gap touch to help a head-shy horse become aware of tension around the poll without becoming guarded. The key? Watch for the horse's responses.

If your horse pulls their head away, move your hand back until you find a distance where they're comfortable enough to respond, perhaps with a blink. Then stay there, without asking for more, and give them time to process and potentially release some of that tension. It may seem like you're doing nothing, but sometimes doing less is exactly what the horse needs.

Have you ever tried working with your horse without actually touching them? We'd love to hear about your experience!

Address

1916 Highway 1
Fairfield, IA
52556

Telephone

+16414721312

Website

http://www.mastersonmethod.com/

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