Description

The dressage horse is an equine athlete. Being an athlete means there are extraordinary demands on body, mind, and spirit of the horse. In human athletics, it is well accepted that extraordinary demands on the body should be met with special efforts to keep the body healthy. The same should hold true for our horses.

The Masterson Method is an innovative form of bodywork that relaxes the horse and relieves his body—including muscles and connective tissue—of deep stress and pain. Through the gentle and light manipulation of targeted Release Points (the movement of joints or junctions through a range of motion in a relaxed state) and studied observation of the horse’s responses, we can open doors to improved health and performance while enhancing communication along the way.

This book fills the gap that often exists between trainers, riders, and equine-bodywork therapists when it comes to understanding how the dressage horse uses his body in performance. Learn hands-on ways we can help optimize his suppleness, flexibility, balance, and movement while easing the effects of common stressors on the musculoskeletal system—that is, make his body as perfect, effective, and pain-free as possible. Join Jim Masterson and Coralie Hughes, Grand Prix dressage rider Bet-sy Steiner, and creator of Anatomy in Motion™ The Visible Horse Susan Harris as they clearly demonstrate steps we can take to make our horses comfortable, happy athletes for years to come.