Yuki Tano is a Japanese-born Masterson Method® Certified Practitioner Equine based in Westchester, New York. After more than 25 years in the United States, she is returning to Japan.
Her interest in equine bodywork began in grade school after watching a documentary about a massage therapist working with racehorses. The idea of helping horses in this way stayed with her for years.
From a young age, she was taught that the horse comes first. At pony camp, the children cared for the horses themselves: they fed them and mucked stalls before breakfast, and after riding, they untacked and offered the horses water before getting a drink themselves. These routines taught her that riding was only one part of the relationship. Caring for horses meant putting their comfort and well-being first, treating them with respect, and appreciating what they give us.
After raising three children, she finally had the opportunity to return to that childhood interest and study equine bodywork.
Over the years, she also wanted to find a better way to communicate with her riding partners. She wanted to listen to what the horse was communicating in return and build a relationship that felt like a true partnership.
After exploring several approaches, she chose The Masterson Method® because of the communication it fosters between practitioner and horse. What resonated most was that the horse is an active participant. By watching subtle responses, such as blinking or changes in breathing, the practitioner can listen, respond, and allow the horse to communicate what it needs.
Rather than forcing the body to change, The Masterson Method works with the horse in a relaxed state to help release tension. This reflects what she has always believed: listen to the horse, respect what it is telling you, and put the horse first.
Becoming a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner Equine has allowed her to turn a long-held dream into work she truly values.
As she returns home to Japan, her goal is to help horses feel more comfortable, move with greater freedom, and have a voice in the process. For Yuki, equine bodywork is a way to listen, communicate, deepen the relationship between horse and human, and give something back to the horses that have given us so much.