Interview with Stefanie Reinhold
in Natural Horse Magazine

What bodywork techniques do you use? [briefly describe each to differentiate]

I mainly apply Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork™, also known as the “Masterson Method™”, a highly interactive method of equine bodywork. In addition I use ‘traditional’ massage strokes and techniques, as needed.

Which of these do you prefer to use, and why?

The Masterson Method™ of Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork™. This method was developed by Jim Masterson - on several occasions equine massage therapist for the US equestrian team – over years of experience and working with literally thousands of highly athletic horses, mostly in the international hunter/jumper circuit. It is a unique approach since it is a highly interactive process where the practitioner is guided by the horse’s responses.

The Masterson Method™ allows the practitioner to effect releases in deeper key areas of the horse’s anatomy, that most affect performance. This is achieved by gaining the horse’s trust and cooperation and helping the horse actively release the tension, rather than “do massage to” the horse. In addition to being extremely effective, it’s also the most rewarding experience, due to the high degree of constant horse/practitioner dialogue and subsequent trust building/bonding.

Which do you think is the most gentle on the horse?

Both traditional massage and Masterson Method™ bodywork can be gentle, if the practitioner pays attention to what the horse is telling her. If practiced correctly, the Masterson Method™ is gentle by design. Not all traditional massage techniques are, however.

What are the advantages of a gentle technique?

Gentle to me means, actively paying attention to the horse’s limits, reactions and responses and being guided by the horse. Therefore gentle could on occasion be a rather high pressure touch, if that is what the horse is asking for. The Masterson Method™ is built around the principle of circumventing the horse’s flight instinct and giving him nothing to brace against by creating trust almost instantly. The foremost advantages of ‘gentleness’ – being in tune with the horse – is that it creates trust and enables the horse to relax. Only a relaxed horse can actively release tension.

How important is regular gentle bodywork?

Horses are nature’s perfect athletes. However, they were not by nature designed what we ask them to do. Carrying riders or pulling loads can put a strain even on a healthy and well conditioned horse. Once tensions manifest in key areas of the horse’s anatomy, performance declines and is often addressed as a training issue. Keeping the horse supple and comfortable, means keeping the horse able to perform at his best while feeling ‘happy’ and content. I always say “only well horses perform well”. The first and foremost precondition for wellness is relaxation.

How do you gauge progress and improvement?

Several inputs make up the bigger picture of the horse’s evaluation of muscular wellness: owner feedback, responses of the horse, performance issues or improvements, “feel” of muscle tone/absence of spasms, symmetry etc. It’s always sort of a puzzle, but the first thing I look for when I go back to a horse is any change in reactivity to touch or range of motion. My end goal is a horse that is supple, has good muscle tone and is comfortable in his body. I have witnessed drastic transformations from unsoundness to soundness in only 3 sessions and more subtle results such as a horse just gaining range of motion and moving in a more relaxed fashion.

What hinders progress? (hooves, saddle, etc)

The number one issue I encounter are back problems. Many back problems are caused by faulty or ill fitting tack. This can usually be sorted out and remedied quickly with the aid of a skillful saddle fitter. Other factors, such as hoof deformations (club foot), effects of shoeing or trimming, training or riding habits are harder to address. The more willingness on part of the owner to explore the causes for muscular unsoundness and take necessary steps, the faster progress can be made.

What responses and reactions from the horse do you commonly see when performing this gentle bodywork on them?

I categorize 2 types of responses: Reactivity and Release. Reactivity is a response that happens due to my touch and tells me that ‘there is something going on’. This could be a guarded look, change of breathing, tensing up, excessive blinking of the eyes, crinkling the nostrils etc. When I encounter this type of reaction, I stay in the area and see if I can elicit the second type of reaction – a release – through bodywork. Release is a response that happens due to the release of tension in the horse’s body. These releases are often expressed as licking and chewing, softening of the eye, sighing, head shaking, yawning etc. I see both types of reactions from horses during every bodywork session.

What do you think these responses indicate?

See above

What feedback have you gotten from their caregivers, handlers, and riders?

I have gotten more positive feedback than I can list here, but my favorite feedback recently came from Bryan Zaeske, owner of the brave team of senior draft horses working at Old World Wisconsin historical site: “You really did something to these horses. After the bodywork, they moved as they had not moved in 5 or 6 years… I thought it was the Kentucky Derby! Lady [the horse with quite a few issues due to an old injury] was actually able to work the grain thrasher treadmill again as she had not in a long time. We threshed more grain than we did in years.”

Most people are surprised how cooperative their horse is. That’s the basis of the Masterson Method™: Gain trust and cooperation and engage the horse in the process.

What can caregivers do to help the horse in between GBW sessions?

That’s an excellent question. When owners are interested in learning some basic massage and bodywork techniques and practicing them on their horse between sessions, they can make a world of difference. Progress can be made much more thoroughly and the horse is maintained in a more consistent level of wellness if the owner is proactive and spends  even just 20 minutes per week doing some basic bodywork. Basis techniques are easy to learn. Clients who have started doing some basic bodywork with their horse are usually surprised how it improves their relationship with the horse as well.  Masterson came out with an excellent self study DVD for horse owners that gets you started (see www.mastersonmethod.com ).

For riding horses,  it’s also important to gymnasticize your horse properly. Many people underestimate the importance of physical activity for the sole purpose of conditioning the horse to be able to comfortably carry a rider. The more the owner/caregiver/handler understands about equine anatomy and biomechanics, the more the horse benefits. I have started giving basic “Horse Wellness” seminar to introduce horse owners to the topic and show how exciting it can be to look at your horse with his anatomy in mind.

Are there bodywork techniques that can cause harm to the horse?

Any technique that is not guided by the horse’s responses can be harmful to the horse. The most commonly misunderstood bodywork technique, in my opinion, is simple stretching. You can probably not do much wrong with active carrot stretches, where the horse dictates the amount of stretch. However, a passive stretch – where the handler dictates the amount of stretch – can, especially on a ‘cold’ horse, result in soft tissue damage.

Are there times and situations when bodywork should not be performed? If so, why?

Equine massage and bodywork is mainly a wellness modality. It is meant to be performed on the healthy horse. If there is any doubt regarding the physical health of a horse, the responsible practitioner needs to obtain the owners confirmation, that the vet approves of the bodywork and – ideally – obtain guidance from the vet as to the extent of the bodywork. Bodywork should never be misunderstood as a ‘healing’ method or used to ‘treat’ any illnesses. This is the realm of the vet.

In addition, one should obtain vet OK to perform bodywork on pregnant mares and never work with an overheated, exhausted, dehydrated or otherwise overstressed animal.

Do you think one needs a special talent for being a bodyworker?

No. One needs to develop sensitivity, respect for the horse and a true intention of aiding the horse’s wellness. Everything else is technique that can be learned.

Do you think horse caregivers and handlers should learn to do some kind of bodywork, and why?

Absolutely. Not only can caregivers and handlers immediately help a horse overcome tension and contribute to the horse’s wellbeing, but it also is such an effective trust-building process that yields immediate fruit by improving the relationship with the horse instantly.

What contact info would you like to share with our readers?

Stefanie Reinhold
Madison, WI
(608) 233 9518
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.reinholdshorsewellness.com