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:
First Prerequisite - Horse Experience
You must have enough experience with horses that you are able to safely and comfortably handle fore and hind feet and legs, and safely and comfortably work in an enclosed space, such as a stall, with unfamiliar horses. This is required before beginning the Phase I, Five Day Course of our training.
Second Prerequisite - Foundational Knowledge of Equine Anatomy and Bodywork Therapy
You must have one of the following:
- Previous certification in equine massage, or
- Basic foundational knowledge of equine massage that includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, contra-indications, etc. that meets our requirements.
For applicants without previous certification, we have put together a Foundational Knowledge Option (** read below) to meet this requirement. This program is explained below.
The second prerequisite is not required to begin the Phase I, Five Day Course, but must be done before completing the final Phase III Course, and receiving our certification.
The reason for this Second Prerequisite is that this is a hands-on course that teaches practical, advanced techniques designed to get results in performance and improve your success as a bodywork therapist. We do not teach the necessary fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, bio-mechanics and contra-indications that you need to safely do this work.
This does not mean that you may not already have the necessary knowledge to do this work, but is our way of making sure that you are covered on all bases, for your protection, the horses, and ours.
**The Foundational Knowledge Option for the second prerequisite consists of:
- The student taking or having taken an approved anatomy course, and
- The student taking an open resource (open book) test given by us cover the fundamentals of equine anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and contra-indications to massage.
There are two home study, equine anatomy courses that we suggest. They are both very comprehensive, yet inexpensive. The first is a course though Equinology. The course is being offered free through this year, except for materials cost. Click here to go to the webpage: The other is an accredited course through Western Montana School of Equine Massage, click on Home Study link on the left.
We understand that there are many people with enough cumulative experience in different areas of horsemanship to learn and benefit from this method.
We have put together this alternate Foundational Knowledge Option to make it as accessible as possible for anyone who wants to learn, to safely and competently do this work.
To clarify, most applicants will likely fall into one of the following categories:
- You are already certified in equine massage in a course that meets our approval. In this case you meet the Foundational Prerequisite for our Certification and may complete all 3 Phases of the Certification Course.
- You are a human massage therapist or RN with horse experience, have vet tech experience, or have other medical or veterinary background, but no previous equine certification. In this case you may begin Phase I and II of the Certification Course, but must complete the Foundational Knowledge Option before entering the final Phase III of the Course.
- You are experienced with horses but are not certified in any equine or human modality. In this case you may begin Phase I and II of the Certification Course, but must complete the Foundational Knowledge Option before entering the final Phase III of the Course.
Phase I and II of the Certification course are open to anyone comfortable working with horses who wants to learn this method at a deeper level. However, to become Certified you must meet the Foundational Knowledge prerequisite.
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™
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
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.
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:
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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.
USA Online Registration
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Register online and mail your deposit check
International Courses Registration
Download Level 1 Course Application, fill it out and email it back to
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Level 1 Course Application PDF
Level 1 Course Application DOC
Level 1 Course Post-Registration Information
Please click here for information on Level 1 Course times and payment information: Level 1 Information |
