What is the Masterson Method of equine massage? How does it work?
- The Masterson Method is a combination of massage and bodywork that functions to relieve tension and pain within the muscles and joints of the horse. This modality uniquely requires the practitioner to recognize and adjust to the responses given by the horse— making the session a continuous conversation between horse and practitioner. This work is done with the horse instead of to the horse, leading to bigger releases of tension from a place of relaxation that surpasses the natural brace response of horses.
- Massage benefits both horse and horse owner. Horses are athletes and—similarly to human athletes— can get sore muscles from working, acute or severe injury, and conformational quirks. As equine professionals, we should be making sure our horses are receiving the care they need to willingly and happily perform what we are asking of them. A horse owner with a docile and trainable horse will receive many gifts from that relationship.
- Massage releases tension within muscles, leading to the restoration of structural balance within the horse which will improve mobility of joints, trainability, and performance. You will soon notice a more relaxed and supple-moving horse, as well as a horse with an improved attitude.
- If it is your horse’s first time being massaged, or the first time in several months, it is necessary to have a session every two weeks until the tension in the horse has been worked out completely. After the horse is brought to a baseline, then it is only necessary to do a maintenance session once a month.
- It is best to schedule a session when you know your horse will not be expecting food or has just exercised heavily. Your horse should be in a stall when I arrive or a small pasture if a stall is unavailable. After a session, it is important to allow your horse to have rest and time in the pasture to move freely. The horse should be given at least 24 hours of rest after bodywork. Some horses may require two or three days of rest to process the big changes that have occurred within their body. Ideally the horse should be turned out in a field after a session or hand walked for 15 minutes before being put back in their stall.
- Horses’ responses to bodywork varies. Some horses may only need 24 hours of rest before going back into light work. Other horses may require 48 hours before engaging in light work. As a rule of thumb, I suggest letting your horse rest for 24 hours after a session before starting light work and waiting at least 48 hours before engaging in a harder workout. If you horse seems sore or uncoordinated give them another day of rest.