How I work with horses -

Like a human, the horse’s neuromusculoskeletal system is resilient and has many options to produce movement. The horse has a lot of resources in reserve so it can accommodate injury or adapt to any unbalanced, repetitive movements in training. The horse’s response to mental stress can also lead to different patterns of movement and muscle tension. These accommodations may mean creating movement patterns that cause increased muscle load or restricted movement around particular joints. Usually these accommodations are beneficial in the short term but they can remain beyond their usefulness. This could lead to limited movement, decreased performance, and possibly pain and associated changes in behaviour.

For both humans and horses, movement (and pain) are more complex than just biomechanics. Biomechanics as well as psychological and social factors may all be relevant to varying degrees. Successful intervention considers the psychological response to environment, to touch and to movement, not just the mechanical state of the tissue.

The Masterson Method® uses touch, pressure, movement and the psychological context, to interact with the whole horse including the nervous system, always with awareness of feedback from the horse. In contrast to many traditional modalities, the horse is not simply a passive recipient of manual therapy. Instead a constant, sensitive interaction is used to identify responses and restrictions and then to engage the horse as an active participant in the release of tension.

Good communication is essential because to be effective it is important to be aware of the first threshold at which the horse begins to brace. Sometimes the horse’s reaction can be subtle and brought on just with our intention, before touching. By paying careful attention to the horse’s breathing, posture, movement and behaviour I aim to avoid doing anything that causes over stimulation of it’s sympathetic nervous system (fight, flight or freeze response). Engaging with the horse’s nervous system in this way can reveal otherwise difficult to detect tension and restriction.

Sometimes techniques involve barely touching, other times it is more physical – moving of limbs and joints but the intention is never trying to passively ‘manipulate’ joints or ‘breakdown’ tight muscle. Instead the intention is to bring the attention of the horse’s nervous system to the body. This is achieved by the introduction of varied, novel or even previously threatening movement and sensation whilst the horse is feeling safe and in a parasympathetic (relaxed) state. This combination of body awareness and a relaxed state allows the nervous system to resolve restrictions and tension.

Different horses, in different moments are more, or less able to allow themselves the vulnerability of release. Sometimes they are very demonstrative – yawning, licking and chewing and head shaking, sometimes only showing very subtle autonomic signs such as changes in breathing pattern, eye and jaw movements or posture changes.

In the sequence of four photographs below you can see a release.

I am encouraging the shoulder blade to drop down and the foot to come out laterally.
After I wait 30 seconds doing nothing the horse begins to release some tension; the eye and jaw soften and the head lowers. I begin to ask for some lateral neck movement.
After asking for some lateral neck movement the head drops further.
After more waiting there is a more obvious sign of release; a further drop of the head and a yawn.

As I ask for specific movement or touch how does the horse react? Does it cause the horse to brace? I have to work subtly enough to detect bracing at its earliest expression; this may be a slight change in breathing pattern or slight change in tension in the jaw or eye. If I pushed further then the horse would simply brace and offer no opportunity for release. By working just below that earliest reaction, the horse stays relaxed. Bringing the attention of the horse’s nervous system to an area, whilst maintaining the nervous system in a relaxed state, gives it an opportunity to release tension held there.

Please call me on 0207 235 3471 if you would like to ask any questions or arrange a consultation.