Masterson Method™ Instructor:

Stefanie Reinhold (Madison, Wisconsin)

Stefanie learned about the needs of performance horses in her youth in Germany (FN-trainer apprenticeship). In her equine massage and bodywork practice she focuses on performance enhancing bodywork for sport and performance horses. In addition, Stefanie has a special interest in working with horses with pain/trauma related behavioral issues. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin. You can contact Stephanie via email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and through her website at: www.reinholdshorsewellness.com

Read Stefanie's interview with Natural Horse Magazine: Interview

Read Stefanie's article in Natural Horse Magazine titled:  Bodywork: The Final Touch in Hoof Trimming

Janet Bailey (Norco, California)

From my very first memory, I was in love with horses - all horses, all disciplines, and everything about them. I have been fortunate to be able to see, touch, and participate in many facets of the horse industry. The Masterson Method, more than any other type of equine body work, has enabled me to not only make horses feel and move better, but also to connect with them on a different and very satisfying level. How can anyone not be touched by the tears of an owner as she watches her horse do lateral flexions when he has not been able to bend to the left for years? ... or by an owner who can once again can ride her Tennessee Walking horse who is now rideable after not being able to be saddled without falling over due to restricted pectoral muscles? .... or the tense and worried mare who, on following sessions, tries to help you do everything, including voluntarily putting her head on your shoulder to help you work on her tight poll? ...or when watching the 30+ mare running and playing who, 6 months ago, was on the verge of being put down because she was unable to even slowly move and turn without stumbling and falling? If you love horses, how can you beat this work! You can contact Janet Bailey through email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lisa Haldane (Tucson, Arizona)

A civil engineer working in the field of water resource management, Lisa was born in Bellflower, California, and has been around horses all her life. From tagging along as a kid wherever riding opportunities would arise to the past 10 years where she has developed a love of the ranch style events of cutting and working cowhorses. The lessons learned from being an owner of horses in these very challenging sports were what led Lisa to pursue training in equine bodywork, originally with the goal of helping her own horses and to better understand what might be warning signs that there could be soundness issues arising.

 The training in the Masterson Method™ has opened wide the door to an understanding of the level of feel possible between horse and human, both on the ground and in the saddle. Forever the student, Lisa plans to pursue ongoing education in the field of equine physiology and sports conditioning as well as find opportunities to teach others the same. You can contact Lisa by phone: (520) 300-1612 Or through email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cyndi Hill (Monmouth County, New Jersey)

Cyndi Hill has had a lifelong passion for horses. As a horse owner for over 20 years, she became interested in equine massage and bodywork and its implications for performance and behavioral issues. Cyndi’s equine bodywork practice serves a diverse population, from Hunter/Jumper and Dressage clients to Thoroughbred Racehorses to Rescues, throughout the Mid-Atlantic area. The diversity of her equine clients has reinforced the belief that participation of the horse in the process, and communication between horse and bodyworker, is essential to achieving results. Cyndi finds that working within the framework of the Masterson Method™ allows her to address the horse’s individual needs in a creative, insightful way and has brought her equine bodywork to a whole new level. When not working on a horse, she can be found working towards an Equine Science Certificate from the University of Guelph , with a special interest in exercise physiology and muscle function. You can contact Cyndi via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone: (732) 539-6961.

Marie Riley, (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

A graphic designer for 25 years, Marie was born and raised in New Jersey, and has been around horses most of her life. Her passion for horses began at an early age when she would visit a local horse farm and feed carrots to the horses through the fence while she drew their portraits. Little did she know back then that horses would become a lifelong pursuit. 

Her interest in equine bodywork began 5 years ago when her 6 year old Hanoverian Thoroughbred mare, Signey, contracted EPM. Early veterinary treatment eradicated the parasite, but it was the ensuing bodywork that brought Signey back to her full athletic potential.

Today, Marie’s equine bodywork practice serves a wide range of clients, from hunter/jumper and dressage to rescued and aging equines. Using The Masterson Method™ enables her to improve the horses’ comfort, attitude and performance, allowing the horse to respond to training without stiffness or pain. You can contact Marie by email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or phone: (215)370-4879, or through my website: www.16handsequine.com.

Donna Clark (Carmel Valley, CA)

Donna has a strong background in anatomy and physiology of the human body. She practiced Dental Hygiene for 20 yrs before moving to Yoga and Human Massage. As a licensed Massage Therapist in Hawaii, and a Kripalu Yoga Teacher, she learned and studied with a Kumu in Hawaiian Lomi Lomi. Practicing Jim’s Method of slow and gentle bodywork on her horse who had broken bones in her withers, her horse recovered quickly. This inspired Donna to become certified in the Method Method™ and use these techniques. You can contact Donna through email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or visit her website: http://www.clarkequinebodywork.com

Alienore Conrad (Santa Clarita Valley, CA)

A Chiropractor in the North Los Angeles County area for the past 20 years, Dr. Alienore Conrad has been practicing an innovative, highly successful soft tissue therapy based on the delicate physiology within the muscle fibers. She discovered many horse owners among her clientele and over the years, many of them asked whether she might be able to help their horses as well.  Some already had been utilizing the services of an equine chiropractor, but found that adjustments weren’t always the answer.

Having a love of horses herself and in response to the many inquiries she had been receiving, Dr. Conrad made some inquiries of her own into the field of equine bodywork and was fortunate to discover the work of Jim Masterson. What she found was that the Masterson Method is a highly effective therapy based on the finely balanced, exquisitely sensitive nervous system of the horse.  She immediately felt a natural affinity to the work, has found it to be highly rewarding and a natural extension of her human practice.

Originally from Ojai, California, moved to the Santa Clarita Valley, to complete a BS degree from California State University Northridge.  She received her Chiropractic degree at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, CA in 1990.

She lives in the Santa Clarita Valley with her husband, son and dogs Rex and Blossom.  You can contact Alienore via email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Or by phone:  (661)607-2959.

Michele Cartagena (Valley Center, California)

Michele Cartagena worked in the communications industry for 27 years.  For the past 10 years she has been involved in breeding and showing Cairn Terriers as well as show grooming a variety of other breeds. As a graduate of The International College of Pet Careers she is a certified all breed groomer & holds certificates in Animal Anatomy & Massage, Animal C.P.R. and Aroma Therapy.  She is currently pursuing an Equine Studies B.S. degree from Breyer State University.  In 2004, she began to focus on the massage aspect of her grooming business. Although all the animals she works on have demonstrable benefits from massage & aroma therapy, she finds working with horses to be the most fulfilling. “Horses are so expressive. There is nothing like having your hands on a horse.” By adding, The Masterson Method™ to her tool box, she has been able to improve the quality of life for her horses, as well as the many rescue and performance horses on which she works.  “It’s all about the horse. I’m dedicated to improving performance and the equine quality of life.”  Michele’s business, EMB Equine Massage & Bodywork takes her from San Diego, Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties. She can be reached at (760) 445-1975, or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and her website is www.equinemassageandbodywork.com.

Debbie Dederick (Salem, Oregon)

Debbie grew up in a small farming community in Silverton, Oregon.  Her early years were spent riding and showing her own horses.  In the following years, she raised her four children and worked in the field of medical social work A serious illness changed the direction of her life. During that difficult time, she drew on her memory of the joy and peacefulness of touch she experienced with her horses and babies, an exchange that so satisfied her soul and brought her peace.  The result was the decision to do work that would allow her to use her hands to communicate with people and animals hence, massage and bodywork.

At that point in time, most equine massage programs were teaching basic step by step, rote programs.  The horses were relaxing and submitting to the massage but Debbie felt there was a vital reciprocality that was missing.  She was not satisfied with just doing something to the horse; she wanted to interpret the horse’s communication with her so she could more accurately effect change in tension patterns.

Her search for continuing education, creativity and her commitment to the integrity of what she wanted to offer horses and their owners led her to the Masterson Method™.  The Masterson Method™ has filled in the vital missing element in her Equine practice and confirmed her belief in trusting that the horse will lead you to where bodywork is needed.  Debbie’s experience using the Masterson Method™ with such magnificent animals meets her working criteria: true communication and peace in her soul.

Debbie can be contacted via her website www.touchofkindness.net, e-mail address This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone 503 931-2077.

Sheila Weaver  (Shirley, Arkansas)

Shelia has always had an admiration for performance horses.  She loves riding and showing cutting and reiners.  It was during a time when she worked for a cutting trainer that she realized the grueling training program performance horses are expected to endure.  She saw many talented athletes fail in the show pen because they were hurting, her horse included.  The experience of being a licensed massage therapist, as well as her knowledge gained from working as a Veterinary Assistant for almost 20 years,  pointed her in the right direction when she was searching for help for her horse.  She knew she wanted something more than “traditional massage” for her mare, and she knew there had to be more than just covering up her horse’s problem with pain medication.  It was then Shelia discovered The Masterson Method™ and what it can do for Performance Horses.  To release the restrictions in a performance horse who is struggling, help him feel better, then to see him perform to his abilities once again…AMAZING!  Her list of success stories continues to grow…Shelia can be reached via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at (501) 253-0216.

Tamara Parr  (Beaver Dam, Wisconsin)

Tamara (Tami) Parr was born with a love of horses that had her riding & training green broken horses by the age of 10.  Like many of us, marriage and family, put this passion on hold for a time. She finally found an opportunity to once again work with horses as a volunteer at a local horse rescue. A diverse work background, prepared her well for the varied physical, and mental challenges she would see there. A former educator of young children, elder health care provider, and veterinary assistant, who now works in information technology, she was soon maintaining the rescue website, performing physical & mental evaluations, & rehabilitating horses.

She knew there had to be more that could be done to reach these amazingly sensitive creatures. Her search for a better way, lead her to Jim Masterson, and the Masterson Method™.   The gentle ‘search’ approach, identifiable ‘response’ queues given by the horse, ‘staying’ in the areas indicated, and then the ‘release’ given by the horse when tension & restriction abated, where the ground breaking keys she had been seeking.  A new level of thought and touch, combined with her natural gifts, created an integrated approach to equine balance of body, mind, and spirit.

As a certified practitioner of the Masterson Method™, Tami uses her specialized skills on performance, pleasure, pasture buddies, and of course rescue horses. Creating an individualized program for each of her clients that is built around their special needs. All breeds and disciplines can benefit from bodywork, as a natural way to maintain, or restore range of motion, & balance. The Masterson Method™, combined with her gift of gentle patience, serve to provide horse owners with a phenomenal, natural tool for integrated equine performance. Working throughout Wisconsin and surrounding states she can be contacted by Ph: 920-253-8151, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . View her website at www.equineatparr.com.