Masterson Method™
Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork™
Level I Certification Course

Course Description

This is an advanced, practical course for people with a desire to learn and perfect the techniques used in the Masterson Method™ of Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork™. The course was initially designed for those with prior certification in equine massage, and/or human therapists with horse experience. We have since opened the course to anyone with experience handling horses and a solid knowledge of equine anatomy.

These techniques are used successfully by Jim Masterson on Nation's Cup, Pan American, World Cup and World Equestrian Games equine competitors to improve performance.

This is not a basic equine massage course. It is an advanced course designed to take what you already know of anatomy and biomechanics, and learn hands-on from Jim, techniques that will increase your success in bringing about positive change in the movement and performance of the horse. Experience handling horses and a solid knowledge of equine anatomy are required to enroll in this course.

During this course you will also perfect your ability to recognize and use responses of the horse to your touch, and perfect your ability to enable the horse to participate in the process of releasing tension.

Course size is limited to ensure one-on-one instruction.

This is a results-oriented method of body work; you get results in the responses of the horse during the work, and results in performance after the work.

This is also a results-oriented course. Our goal is for you to leave this course with a systematic method, and the ability to use this method to make a difference in the horse, a difference to the owner or trainer, and for those going for Level I Certification, a difference in your business as an equine therapist.

Prerequisites

Before taking the course you must have:

A solid knowledge of equine anatomy and biomechanics. This course was initially designed as an advanced class for therapists. But, we have opened registration to anyone who is interested in furthering their education in this method. All are encouraged to attend, but to be Certified in the Masterson Method, you must already be a human or equine therapist. We understand that not everyone wants to be Certified but may want advanced teaching from Jim. We would suggest that they follow the Enthusiast Path and take the Advanced 3-day Seminar with Jim. For those interested in Certification, but are not therapists; you may take this course without having prior certification in Equine or Human Massage, but you will not receive Certification in the Masterson Method™ of Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork™ unless you have, or receive within a year of taking the Level I Course, an Equine or Human Massage Certification from another source.
You must have prior experience with horses. You must feel comfortable picking up the hind and front legs, and feel at ease working in a stall with a horse.
Prior participation in a Masterson Method™ Weekend Seminar-Workshop is required. Ideally, applicants will have already taken the workshop well in advance of the Course and had time to be able to practice some basic techniques. If you have not been able to participate in a Weekend Seminar-Workshop before, we try and schedule one immediately preceding the Phase I, Level I Courses.
A pulse, a willingness to learn, and a sense of humor.

Course Outline

Phase I Practical Training:

Tuition: $1500

Five days of practical training with Jim. This is spent almost entirely working on horses. You will learn where to look, what to look for, and how to release and clear issues that most affect performance.

Time Breakdown: Approximately 15 to 20% will be spent on lecture, including:

The anatomy of key junctions of the body that most affect performance; the poll/atlas/axis, the neck/shoulders/withers junction, and the sacroiliac/sacro-lumbar junction and major muscles associated with that junction.
The principles and mechanics of release in the muscles and connective tissues of the horse, different levels of pressure, recognizing and using the responses of the horse to touch, and how our use of pressure, movement and position causes a muscle or junction to release.
Initial and final evaluations, primary issues vs. secondary issues, and pain vs. restriction in the body.

Approximately 80 to 85% will be spent practicing and perfecting techniques and advanced techniques on multiple horses with a range of issues.

Following are topics that will be covered during both the lecture and practical parts of the course:

· Initial Evaluation
· By-passing the survival response
· Nervous reflex, and adoptive response
· Working on different body types
· Manipulation and Release
· Important: Head Shy Horses
· Pain and behavior
· Pain vs. restriction
· Relationship of primary issues to secondary issues
· Feet, and pain in the body
· Touchy issues like saddle fit and pain in the body
· Other joints and junctions in which restrictions are commonly found
· Follow ups
· Final Evaluation - Putting it all together

Phase II Interactive Field Work

Tuition: $350 for Evaluation of Case Studies, Viewing of DVD and Consultation with Tamara Yates, Director of Certification and Continuing Education.

You will be guided through this process by Tamara Yates, our Director of Certification. You will practice techniques you have learned on at least 20 case studies in the field. These horses will need to be worked on multiple times. This will include keeping a record of the initial evaluation, description of the work done including responses and results, follow-up work and feed-back on noticeable results or changes in performance with final evaluation. Mentoring in this process will be provided by Tamara Yates.

Tamara Yates will be available for consultation on issues or questions that come up during field work. For evaluation during the course of your field work she will need to view a video-taped session of you working on a horse.

Students will be asked to assist in teaching at least one Masterson Method™ Weekend Seminar-Workshop. Teaching others is an excellent way to solidify what you have learned. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate and practice your proficiency in the techniques.

Tamara Yates is our Director of Certification and Continuing Education. In addition to her broad equine experience, Tamara worked for over 25 years in education. She was a teacher, a trainer of teachers and then an advocate for teachers. She taught at the University of California and published three books on a variety of teaching methods. Because of this experience she knows that everyone learns differently and everyone has different needs when they are learning. She has helped us set our standards for certification and is dedicated to helping any individual who wants to work in that direction. As long as you want to learn, Tamara will support your efforts. Read more on Tamara’s expertise.

If you have any questions about the certification process feel free to contact Tamara directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Phase III Proficiency

Tuition: $750

Phase III course length will be over a 5 day period as in Phase I. It will run concurrently with the Phase I course. Phase III students will be asked to help teach the Phase I participants, further solidifying their expertise.

Proficiency in the Masterson Method™ techniques taught during Level I will be required to earn a Masterson Method™ Certification. The proficiency evaluation and any final instruction can be arranged through the Masterson Equine Services office. The final certification will be given to those that are deemed proficient in the Masterson Method™

Required and Suggested Reading for the Level I Course

Required:

· The Horse’s Muscles in Motion, Sara Wyche (Excellent anatomical and mechanical drawings and explanations of biomechanics)
· Equine Massage for Performance Horses: The Masterson Method (DVD)
· Whole Horse, Jim Masterson (DVD Series) Can be purchased through Masterson home office.
· One good anatomy reference book such as: Horse Anatomy: A Pictorial Approach to Equine Structure by Peter Goody.

Suggested:

There are numerous books on equine massage and bodywork. Any background reading on position release, myofascial release, neuromuscular, craniosacral, acupressure, bio-dynamics and muscles and movement will help. Below are some suggestions:

· Tug of War: Classical Versus "Modern" Dressage, by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann. (Strongly Suggested. Excellent on biomechanics from the horses point of view. Not just for dressage enthusiasts)
· Release the Potential - A Practical Guide to Myofascial Release for Horse and Rider, by Doris Kay Halstead and Carrie Cameron. (This is book is out of print, and maybe very expensive, so not necessary.)
· Physical Therapy and Massage for the Horse, by Jean-Marie Denoix and Jean-Pierre Pailloux (Good bio-mechanical concepts, diagrams and drawings).
· The Horse - Structure and Movement, by R.H. Smythe and P.C. Goody (Good structure, joint and ligament drawings)

Tuition:

Please see our 2010 Calendar page for scheduled Level I Courses.

Contact Information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 641-472-1312 during office hours of 9am-noon Central.

Tuition is due in full 2 weeks prior to the beginning of course. A deposit of $250 is required upon acceptance of application.

Registration

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Masterson Method™Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork™Level I Certification Course