2021 Masterson Method Virtual Education Conference

Jec Ballou: Exercise as Therapy, Simple Routines to Restore & Maintain Looseness

In this demo, Jec Ballou will show several groundwork and ridden exercises that activate the horse’s core in addition to increasing regularity of gait patterns. Modifications of exercises for specific equine populations (rehab, senior, etc.) will be offered. We will discuss the value of walk-only routines, Corrective Exercises, and how to build a progressive plan. The demo will make occasional reference to my book, 55 Corrective Exercises for Horses, so it might be useful for participants who already own that book to have it nearby.

Jec Ballou is a different (in a good way) kind of dressage rider and trainer. She is unique among modern trainers in, among other things, her recognition of the importance of maintaining flexibility and suppleness in the horse. Jec will be going deeper into discussing and presenting methods she uses to accomplish this, knowledge that will be of benefit to Masterson Method Practitioners and their clients.

Bill Stanton: Effective Communication with Owners, Veterinarians, and Other Equine Professionals

Knowing how to get results with the horse is the first and most important part of being a good bodyworker. You’re all already on the never-ending path to being an expert at this.

Being able to communicate what you’ve learned in a clear, knowledgeable and effective way with owners, veterinarians and other equine professionals is the other part, especially if you’re making a business of it. These are the people you have to work with.

Knowing what needs to be communicated and how to communicate it in a way that the person you’re dealing with will hear it is something that you will constantly be learning and refining. Sometimes it can take years before you feel comfortable – and effective – dealing with the different professions, and personalities in the horse world.

Bill Stanton has been doing this for decades. Ninety percent of his clients are performance horse owners, riders, trainers and managers, but he’s worked on or with virtually every type of horse, owner and professional and he’s ready to share the benefit of what he’s learned with us.

Bill, “I can guarantee that I’ve made more mistakes in the area of communication with owners, vets and farriers than any equine bodyworker out there.”

Jim, “I got my start in the performance horse business with Bill and I can vouch for that. I worked with Bill for nine years. He has an immense amount of knowledge to share about the horse, and now knows how to share it. This call promises to be both informative and entertaining ; )”

Bill Stanton has been involved with high level performance horses for over 35 years as vet tech and surgical assistant to Dr. John R. Steele for twenty years, and owner of the highly successful Integrated Equine Bodywork since 2003. In this talk, Bill will share his knowledge of communicating effectively with owners, veterinarians, and other equine professionals. In particular, he’ll help clarify the importance of knowing what needs to be communicated and how to communicate it in a way that the person you’re dealing with can hear it.

Deliberate Practice

In this conference, we will learn about Deliberate Practice and have the opportunity to practice it. Here’s what we mean by Deliberate Practice. Because all practicing creates new neural pathways in the brain, locking a new behavior in place, we want to practice a technique correctly.  Instead of being perfectionistic, self-judgmental and tight, deliberate practice focuses on the gap between the way someone highly competent does something and what you as a learner are currently doing.  Deliberate practice delights in that gap because once you see it, you are on the path to improvement.  Those who achieve mastery never stop noticing the gap between what can be and what they are doing, and they never stop improving. 

Liz Williams is a current Fieldwork student who has a passion for learning and skills with understanding how adults learn. Liz helped Jim create one of the exciting pillars of the new Advanced Home Study course, Deliberate Practice. She will share her concept of Deliberate Practice to help us improve our bodywork practice.

Bodywork Practice

There’s something magical about practicing The Masterson Method with a fellow practitioner or Fieldwork student. We speak each other’s language, and we can support each other in learning how to refine the techniques and our sense of feel and flow.

Since we’re not able to convene face-to-face, we’ve scheduled in several hours for you to practice bodywork on horses (with others, or by yourself). If you choose to seek out a practice buddy, we encourage you to join the Conference Facebook Group and reach out, or use the Find a Practitioner map on the website to find a nearby practitioner.

Pre-Conference Movement Lesson: Amplifying Our Softness Through Awareness

Have you wanted to find a new level of softness with your practice? Lisa First, Alexander Technique instructor and dance/movement teacher, will guide us over Zoom to find more efficient use of our body through movement, which will amplify our work as equine bodyworkers. Lisa will help us explore our structural supports and invite improved balance, coordination, a calmer presence and increased sensitivity to self, horse and environment. Participants are encouraged to find an open space and share their video during this Zoom call for Lisa to provide guidance and feedback.

Lisa First is an American Society of the Alexander Technique certified instructor in her third decade of teaching.  She is a movement specialist, a life long dance artist and equine enthusiast currently based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lisa has a Masters in Dance and Movement Studies from Wesleyan University Middletown, CT and a BA in Dance and Visual Arts from Antioch College, Yellow Springs, OH. She teaches groups and private lessons nationally and internationally.

Attendance at this Pre-Conference Movement Session is included with your Conference registration.

1 Week Access to the Film, A Mind Like Still Water

Click to watch trailer

Once a year, world-renowned duo, horse clinician Mark Rashid and equine massage therapist Jim Masterson hold a dual clinic in Littleton, Colorado. Participants Mindy and Linda come to learn how to connect better with their horses, unaware of the vulnerability it will require of them. Although they anticipate a few days of simple tips and tricks to connect better with their horses, the participants quickly realize this isn’t an average workshop and that their horses aren’t the ones who need to change.  The more Mindy and Linda connect with their horses, the more they start to question how they’ve navigated their lives outside of horsemanship. In an emotional and life-altering week, they learn the art of softening, and let go of the truths they’ve held on to, until now.

A Mind Like Still Water proves it’s never too late for change.

Conference attendees will be able to access the film (full-length, 40 minutes) from Tuesday, April 27 through Tuesday, May 4. You are encouraged to watch the film before Saturday evening when Jim and the film producer, Dylan Silver, will take your questions.

Watch the trailer (or purchase the DVD and/or lifetime streaming access) on the Masterson Method Store.