What I found most helpful: I began this course before I attended a weekend seminar. I feel this course helped me tremendously to further understand the methods taught in the book and the dvds. The videos in the home study course were more detailed on how to do each technique. I especially liked the Follow-Up videos to review what I had done during the actual hands-on practice of techniques. Definitely worth the money. And I like that I can keep coming back and using the course whenever I need it.

What I Experienced: I have worked the Masterson method on three horses so far. One was short striding on the rear end. I had worked on him 2x and then did a whole body session a third time after attending a weekend seminar. He wasn’t being ridden during this period. A few days after the third session he was ridden and was sound and taken to a show a couple days later. The rider said she had the best rides on him she had ever had and he wasn’t spooky at the show as he sometimes could be. This horse released a lot of tension in his face (I only had to put my hand on the bridge of his nose and he’d yawn) and he released a lot in his lower left leg during the bladder meridian technique. I was descending down his leg by hairs because he was yawning and blowing constantly.

Overall, I’ve found the techniques to work like magic and to work exactly as described in the books and dvd’s.
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What I found most helpful: The combination of book/manual and lesson videos. I also like the introduction, go practice, and follow up format, and that there is no set due date or time in which we must complete a lesson or the course. And finally, Jim is very clear and open.

What I Experienced: I primarily used my pony to practice on, but also my husband’s horse (both mares). It was interesting to feel how different they are, and how the pony has a lot to say, and big releases, whereas the horse is much more introverted. The pony is also very clear that I am not to go on if she hasn’t finished releasing. Recently, she has started going into “MM mode” and releasing when I pick out her feet. I am finding it a good idea to do scapula releases and hind end from below before the trimmer comes. What I had thought was a behavior issue (grabbing a foot back) was actually a restriction. All in all, I am finding this fascinating, and I am looking forward to attending a weekend workshop this June in VT.
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What I found most helpful: first explaining what you want to do and why it helps specific issues, then doing the video demonstration is key! Ending each section with a test of knowledge helps organize my thoughts and solidify the process. This online class is done VERY well – much more information on “how to” than the Beyond horse massage video. I liked that he had difficult horses to work on – as that is much more realistic to what I find in the barn when helping others with their horses.

What I Experienced: I found that I needed to soften even more…. especially the hind end work.
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What I found most helpful: I love the videos because it gives me a good 3 dimensional picture of what to do and what’s happening with the horse.

What I Experienced: Amazing! Everything from blinking to whole body stretching and lots of great relaxation and deep breathing. I’ve also seen a difference in the way my horse is moving and a lengthening in his stride and he’s no spring chicken! He’s had a lifetime of work and stress and injuries and even with acupuncture, chiropractic and massage, I’ve seen more profound responses in him with this work. He’s a rather stoic horse who doesn’t show a lot and he’s become much more demonstrative. I love it, thank you!
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What I found most helpful: I am amazed at how these simple techniques can make a difference in how comfortable my horses are after I work on them.

What I Experienced: The first time I got a huge release from my horse was so rewarding for me. Even my trimmer has noticed a difference when she’s working on their hooves. They stand much quieter, are less resistant and better able to stand and balance on three legs while she’s working on them.
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What I found most helpful: What I found most helpful about the Beyond Horse Massage Home Study Course was being able to watch Jim work on horses while teaching folks in his methodology. Nothing like being able to watch the “Master” at his craft. Lorre was my weekend seminar instructor and there were things that Jim presented in the home study course, that I just didn’t hear or see during that weekend with Lorre (no offense to Lorre please). Additionally, in preparing for the 5 Day Advanced Course I wanted to review my understanding of the materials, practices and anatomy so I would feel confident moving forward into the next course. The online course helped me see where I needed to review & how to tweak some of the ways I applying the methods.

What I Experienced: It’s been really interesting seeing how different animals react, release & where/when those releases occur. Generally I have to say that in practicing the techniques, I’ve been so surprised by how light a touch it takes to unlock tension. Some techniques have been easier for me to practice than others. For example, I’m having good luck with head up but not such positive results with under the scapula release. After watching Jim work under the scapula in the on-line course, I’ve had better luck.

Recently, I’ve been playing a lot with TMJs, just putting my fingers on the junction and WOW the yawns just start happening. I’m fascinated with how little touch is needed to signal the nervous system to be effective. It’s like magic!
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What I found most helpful: The book was very informative and I enjoyed the home study course as a review after reading the material and practicing on the horse(s). I liked the videos because they actually show Jim (and volunteers) working on the horse. I seem really grasp the information better with viewing the videos.

I ordered the book first and then shorty after ordered the video. If I did it over I would have ordered both at the same time because they compliment each other.

What I Experienced: It is just awesome to see the horses release with the Masterson Method whether they be more outward responses by a horse who will release easily in your presence or even with the horses that are more shy or stoic in their release… of course I prefer horses who have a more visible release because that gives me better feedback that I have done a good job in helping them let go of stress and tension.

My experiences have made me realize I need to improve on wiggling when doing lateral cervical flexing and I need to get some tips from Jim on working with bigger horses. I meant to do that in the 2 day; especially when doing the lateral Cervical Flexion but I forgot to follow up on that at the end of the course.
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What I found most helpful: Watching Jim perform the techniques on different horses, seeing how they respond and how he then proceeds with the technique. His explanations are very helpful and I like how he reiterates important points throughout the sessions

What I Experienced: I’ve been working with this Method for about 1 year now on 8-10 horses per week and feel like I am gaining a better understanding of the method all the time.
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What I found most helpful: I’ve been working on reactions to the lightest of touch and release to engender responses both in training and for health issues. For me it’s wonderful to find that I’m traveling in the right direction. It’s pushed me further down the road to understanding more about the use of relaxation techniques and its connection with the nervous system. At first glance, it looks rudimentary, but actually it has an amazing impact on the whole horse and there’s a lot happening under the surface both with the superficial & deep muscles as well as aiding the physiological balance of the whole body.

What I Experienced: I worked on a mare who was extremely heavy and stiff in hind, particularly the left hind. She had very positive responses particularly to massaging the poll area especially with the the head down. She was tighter with the head up. When I got to the back she lifted her hind leg and directed my hand to the abdominal obliques, as I felt my way backwards I found the semitendinosus, semimembranosus & gracilis muscles very tight. After working on the hind end junction she seemed a lot happier and I was able to get some great releases as she dropped her pelvis. She stayed with her legs both forward and inwards as well as crossing over in the backwards position for some time before returning to normal stance.
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What I found most helpful: My wife, Chantal Holder (Nee Labuschagne) trained under Jim at Red Barn Stanford and then went on to assist Jim on a course in Ireland. Chantal has showed my the method and I have used this for some time so the course really gave me so much more information and I found the whole course to be extremely helpful and worthwhile.

What I Experienced: When putting into practice what I have learned from each section, I found that I was getting better and more releases than before
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