I really didn’t know how restricted Davenport’s movement was. Not only can I tell how much more comfortable he is after using the Masterson Method, but the difference in performance is like night and day!

I have a story about massaging a particular horse; as has become my habit, I stopped by the stables to massage a couple horses Saturday, and while I was there, one of them (Clark) suffered a cut above his left eye from the hoof of his pasture buddy (Henry) as they were romping about. The cut was serious enough that the vet was called. In the meantime, Clark was cross tied to prevent him rubbing the wound, so I decided to do some gentle massage around the poll area, thinking the force of Henry’s hoof to be significant enough to give Clark a very big headache.

Immediately, Clark started releasing by chewing, and twisting his lips all around and snorting. I did this for about 15 minutes, and then I just gently stroked his neck until the vet arrived. The vet gave Clark a mild sedative, and during the cleaning, and stitching procedure, Clark’s head rested on my shoulder – this was about a 45 minute procedure, during which time I kept talking to him and stroking his neck and poll area. He was then taken to his stall, where he was closely monitored. I stopped by Sunday to see how he was – the swelling had gone down and he looked fine. I massaged him for a little while and he released more stress. He didn’t seem comfortable with an over-all massage, so I didn’t push it. The techniques I used were all from Jim’s video, and the Reiki I used in conjunction with the massage I learned a number of years ago and find very effective. I learned horses could get headaches by reading Jim’s blog on-line, so thank you, as a result, I could bring Clark some relief.
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I started your method before the book/DVDs arrived. You were on The Horse Show with Rick Lamb when I first saw you. I had forgotten about your method and your name reappeared on My Horse Daily a short while back so, I visited your site and watched ALL your videos. I went out to the barn and tried a few of them at the hitching rail with Mac and I was surprised at all the reactions I got from him. Never thought he was that tense. I repeated them almost daily for a week or so then ordered your book/DVDs.

We are active in ACTHA and 8/31 had gone to an event and there was a mini horse drawn carriage event going on at the same venue. Mac was beside himself over the horse eating carriages. Every time they came into view he tensed up. The next day at our home barn I did your method on him and and no sooner did I start he just released for about 10 minutes non stop. I didn’t want to interrupt him. I’d wait a few minutes he’d settle a bit I’d walk up to him and he’d start another release. The next day he was back to normal for him with his releases. We were at a 2 day ACTHA event last weekend and I plan on working on him tomorrow. Today he just seemed too tired. I’ve gotten to Tech. 2: Head Down so far.
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I just wanted to share an experience I had today with a horse that I had never met. Mind you I am not trained, yet, in the MM. I am just experimenting from what the book and video are giving me. I went to look at a horse for a client to see what she can do to help with his diet and other things. I did some palpitations to see where he was sore and then said let me try a few things on him. I did the Bladder Meridian Techniques (BMT), which I had not tried before, and then the Lateral Cervical Flexion. When I was doing the BMT, I got half way down the neck and the horse looked to the right shoulder, (I was on the left), then he would drop his head, then as I got closer to the wither he again looked to the right shoulder. From my previous evaluation, I knew he was having issues with his left hind, so the right shoulder thing made sense. Then when I got to hind hip, he quickly dropped it as if something released. I did a bit of other stuff to his TMJ area and told the owner to step back and give him time to process. He shook his head, and then began to yawn and yawn. He must have yawed 6 times! It was awesome! The more I experiment with the MM, the more I know I need to continue with this work, thank you, Jim
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I just received your DVD and after working through the first few exercises my horse can scratch his own side with his teeth for the first time – amazing!

Yes, I ordered the Equine Massage for the Performance Horse from you yesterday. I am so impressed with the results I’ve seen on online videos — truly beyond anything I’ve seen with any other technique — (and I am very familiar with bodywork practitioners from Feldenkreis to Tellington-Jones) . I have a little mare who has much stiffness and tightness and body pain from a variety of causes – she is 17 years old and I’ve raised her from birth — and nothing has helped all that much. From just a brief YouTube video of Mr. Masterson working on a horse I tried the releasing of her head and poll — I tell you I almost cried from her response — she is normally so stiff she doesn’t like her head moved about — after just a few minutes she dropped her head, licked her lips and let out a huge sigh — last night was the third time I tried it and as she watched me enter her stall with halter she turned towards me, sighed deeply and peed. I believe she was actually asking for the treatment. (and I am just beginning!) Her eye was so sweet and soft. This is the closest thing to magic I have ever witnessed. Nothing else comes close. I hope to see Mr. Masterson at the Midwest Horse Fair. I was so excited I have now gotten the book and the other dvd from Barnes and Noble. I also look forward to a weekend seminar when one is near. My mare (a gorgeous dun quarter horse) is the love of my life and I am so grateful to have found something that will help her. God bless you for your work and for sharing it with others.
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Reading the book and DVD are great, but the workshop really helps to make sure you learn the techniques correctly. Also, it is very helpful to learn on a variety of breads and temperaments.

I received your DVD two days ago and watched it immediately! I came across some video clips of the Masterson Method online and was very intrigued. After watching the DVD yesterday, I put the information to work on our four year old QH performance gelding. It was jaw dropping how text book his reactions were! He loved the ‘head up’ exercise. Today I worked on all three of our other QH’s. We have an extreme bracing QH mare. She has been off in her right hind for over a year, after a stall kicking incident. I believe she was unable to fully heal because she is so tight and bracing. After an hour with her today, she was putty in my hands! I free lunged her and she was the most relaxed I have ever seen her. Neck out and stretched, blowing, snorting, shaking her head, and best of all, stepping up deep behind and no shortness!!

I am so excited about this new way of helping release stress from my horses!! I can’t wait to learn more and practice more!
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Without access to a professional, you may wish to learn the procedures from Masterson’s DVD on training methods. It’s a means to some basic skills and a way to recognize symptoms before they show up as pain. You can learn to read the horse’s responses to your touch so you know if he’s telling you something is wrong before he’s in pain. If you get good results with that, you may then want to take one of Masterson’s workshops or training seminars. Whether you’re a skeptic or advocate of holistic practices, Masterson and his methods may be worth checking out.
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I just wanted to let you know that I received the DVD as ordered. I have watched the DVD several times, as each time I feel I have learned something I missed before. My 8 year old Arabian Gelding has experienced back and sciatic problems and carries his tail to the right. We found a wonderful equine chiropractor in Sarasota, Florida who has been a tremendous blessing. Watching him work with my horse and other horses is what made me search for an equine massage DVD. I have found your DVD to be extremely similar to my chiropractor’s methods. My Arabian is responding well. I like the way your DVD identifies the equine releases and how it explains that fidgeting is part of the release process. This is also a great way to bond with your horse.
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