Here’s what participants said about the
Masterson Method™ seminars in the UK and the US
From the United Kingdom:

Jim’s course is a simple and powerful example of the therapeutic benefits of the Masterson Method for both performance and leisure horses. The course is laid out with a common sense, non nonsense approach, providing you with proof of its benefits through marked responses from the horse. Within the 2 days my confidence and ability to effectively treat musculo-skeletal tension and adaptations in equines has increased 200 percent! This course is a must for both horse-lovers and professional therapists. It will open your eyes and give you new tools to put in your toolbox!
Anthony Monteith

I attended your course in Bristol, UK and told you about Moses the big grey horse running in The Grand National this year. It is just to let you know that he ran a prep race ten days ago and ran really well. He is spot on for the National so far. Thanks you for working on him and it is a shame you will not be here to do the same and be involved in the big day. Jane Ludlam

I thoroughly enjoyed Jim’s day course for therapists here in the UK. I’ve used his techniques along side osteopathy, and have had great results. He is an extraordinarily generous teacher - with a genuine passion for what he does.
Amanda

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed and learned from our course last week in Devon. You really demonstrated and explained things so that it was simple to follow and apply and the way you handle and treat horse very much fits in with what I am learning through Natural Horsemanship.
Sue Mcfadyen

Thanks for such a fabulous day – Jim was brilliant and I found it really interesting – I’ve already been practicing today! Regards,
George

Can I say what an excellent 2 days - really well organized and so informative. I came home full of enthusiasm to put into practice what I have learnt on my horse Drambuie.
I told Jim that I was interested to see if I could get a 17.2 spooky chestnut to drop his head and I can say I was delighted that by gentle persuasion Dram dropped his head and was licking my boots while he let me work on his poll and atlas. After staying with it, when he did release we had lots of snorting, head shaking and yawning.

It is such a treat to be using a method to release stress and tension working with your horse as a guide - I feel I am further opening the channels of communication and forming a deeper bond with my pony (well not quite a pony at 17.2!).

Thanks to Jim for such a great learning weekend - was knackered at the end but put that down to the steep learning curve and practical work which really gives you the feel of what you should be doing so you're confident when practicing on your own. Have watched the video a couple of times since the course as back up to what Jim taught us - the video is very informative and rationally put together.
Cheerio, Sarah

From Participants of Seminars In The United States:

Jim was very friendly, helpful, and supportive. He made a point of helping everybody. He was always busy helping or answering questions. He never made anyone feel silly for asking questions. This created an excellent learning environment where everybody else helped and supported each other. I liked the way the clinic was formatted – a short explanation, demonstration of each step, and plenty of practice time. It was very good to practice on a variety of horses and watch Jim and other students working on different horses also.

Since I am involved in natural horsemanship, I really liked using the horse’s responses as a means of communicating with the horse and determining different aspects of the bodywork!
Working on different horses gave us a better understanding of how to adapt to different problems and different horse personalities. It was fun, informative, and also practical. I would definitely recommend this clinic! In fact, I want to take more clinics from Jim!
Janet Bailey

Just completed the Equine Massage Course. I learned so much and was very glad that we could immediately put into practice the touch and movements which Jim taught us. Jim was very patient with us and encouraging, I appreciated his calm confidence and for his open attitude for questions, repeat demonstrations and dividing himself amongst all us students.

I am very thankful for an incredible weekend. I can’t wait to start implementing these wonderful techniques of touch and patience. I do not own my own horse but definitely have plans in which to utilize what I have learned.
Estella

I found the clinic to be one of the best I’ve ever attended. The material was presented in a straightforward, clear manner, easy for a layperson to understand. I was totally fascinated. It has turned me from a skeptical Brit into a real believer in the “alternative.” It was wonderful to watch an expert get results but to find that I too could get results was even more exciting.
Linda Upton

Here is what the participants at the
World Equestrian Games said about
Jim and the Masterson Method:

Jim Masterson was a great asset to the US Endurance Team at the WEG in Aachen this year. He helped the horses recover quickly from the stress and strain of travel and to achieve maximum performance. I enjoyed watching Jim work on Harley. Harley is not overly fond of being touched by humans but Jim won him over with his quiet ways and gentle manipulations. Jim enabled Harley to have a sound and successful race dispute the grueling conditions of the race.
Kathryn Downs, Somerville, ME and horse Pygmalion (known as Harley)

Jim, I want you to truly know that out of all the things that were done or given to help my horse, Cheyenne, while participating at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, I know for a fact that the bodywork you did was the most beneficial. He has truly never traveled / moved as nicely as he did while I was in Germany. And all the extra little things like evaluating my saddle and pad to get to the bottom of some of the issues we were having with back soreness was especially great. I had never had the opportunity to work with someone as talented as you. You have really spoiled us! Thank you so much for being so kind and so much fun to be around.
Jennifer Niehaus, Cloverdale, CA and horse Cheyenne XII

Working with Jim at the World Equestrian Games was a great occurrence. He has a vast base of knowledge that he draws his processes from and he is always willing to explain what he is doing so a rider can learn what to look for while in motion. He is also able to connect with horses in a non threatening manner that they learn to enjoy. In our experience, Jim’s diagnosis was 100 percent accurate which in turn allowed unrestricted locomotion while going down the trail as well as provided and avenue for the horse to utilize his entire body.
Joe Mattingly, Scales Mound, IL and horse SA Laribou

Jim, I can’t begin to thank you enough for the time you spent with the USA Endurance Team horses at the WEG in Aachen, Germany. My Troy, in particular, is not one to be open with his feelings...unless it is disdain. However, just watching him relax and enjoy your massages made me relax, too. I’m sure your work helped keep his muscles loose in spite of the mud and helped him finish 22nd. Thanks for all your help!!!
Meg Sleeper, DVM, Frenchtown, NJ and Shyrocco Troilus, (known as Troy)

Here is what Western Horseman magazine
had to say about the DVD in the
October, 2006 Bunkhouse Review:

Ease tension, loosen muscles and increase your horses performance with the Masterson Method of Equine Massage. Certified in equine-sports massage and equine-cranial therapy, Jim Masterson shows viewers 24 specific techniques to address muscular tension, spasms and scar tissue in his new DVD release, Equine Massage for Performance Horses. The 75-minute program details Mastersons method, which combines acupuncture, neuromuscular release, stress-point massage, and stretching and flexing.

By using the four keys: search, response, stay and release, Masterson helps you recognize eight neuromuscular responses of the horse to your touch and how to use those to find and release accumulated stress deep in your horses connective tissues and muscles. By focusing on central-nervous-system treatments, Masterson shows you ways to improve performance; increase mobility and range of motion; free up your horses poll, neck, shoulders and lower back to improve jumping, bending and stopping; and how to use touch and the horses response to open communication with your horse.

Step-by-step procedures, well-placed illustrations and computer animation ensure viewers and their horses will reap the benefits of the Masterson Method.
Western Horseman, Bunkhouse Reviews, October, 2006

Here is what Trot magazine,
the official publication of the
Canadian Standardbred Industry
had to say about Jim Masterson,
in the March 2007 issue:

“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.”
Trot Magazine, Horse Health, March 2007

And here are testimonials of those that
have watched and used the DVD:

As a practioner of Chinese Medicine, I found Jim Masterson’s approach to treating equine problems to be amazingly powerful. By using proven techniques that get direcly to the horses’ brain, nervous, and endocrine systems, amazing results can be achieved even in only one session treatment. I had been working on a 9 year old Hunter who was unable to be ridden for the last two years due to cervical and sacroiliac dusfunction. Within 3 sessions, I now have the horse lunging steadily and he is able to take a 150lb rider on his back without any pain or dysfunction!
Anthony Monteith
B.Sc.(Hons), DAT AOM

I found your DVD to be exceptionally well done. I learned a great deal and was able to apply the techniques you taught right away. One of my stallions has been showing irritation and discomfort in his poll and TMJ, and he is already much softer and more relaxed after using your techniques. My trainer who specializes in developing correct movement watched on my laptop in the barn, and I had to turn it off to get her into the arena with the horse as she was so enthralled!
Rachel Salanda
Cielo Azul Andalusian Sporthorses
Santa Cruz, California

I would thoroughly recommend owning one of these DVDs as an essential part of any sport or performance horse owners tool kit. Even if you only practice several of the techniques pre-ride daily, the ongoing benefits to your horse will be measurable.
Janice Clyma
Animal Therapies Unlimited North Canterbury New Zealand.
Web www.healthyhorse.co.nz

Jim Masterson has a natural horse sense. I bought the horse massage DVD and applied his technique...my horses love me for it!! Thank you,
Rebecca Haskins

I have an older horse whose is a little ‘crocked’ and has suffered from a painful back for many years (before I had him.) He’s very sensitive and protests about most contact including stroking. If you try he will head butt or nip! I had been spending a lot of money on having professional physio and laser treatment and thought it would be a good idea to practice some myself in between doses - mostly to save money! I had been looking at ‘do it your self horse massage’ books and found them ok, but it was difficult to then remember that info and then use it on my horse. Then I found this DVD! I watch a little every week and remember a little more and refresh on what I have already learned. Then I practice it on my horse, who I am so pleased to say is really starting to enjoy it! I start with massaging his head then work down his neck- he seams to realize that it is not going to hurt but help! It is also helping me to recognize when his back is painful so that I can call out the professional physio and help him earlier. The DVD is really clear, the quality is brilliant and easy to understand. It is a great way to improve your knowledge of the horse and the rewards can only be excellent for both you and the horse.
Jessica, SW England
Writing about her 19 year old TB Samson,
a retired school master at x-country, dressage and show jumping.

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 working 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 releasers and how it explains that fidgeting is part of the release process. This is also a great way to bond with your horse.
Kathy Simmons, email report

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!
Sherri Crawford
owner of Davenport, successful Hunter
and past winner of the World Champion Hunter Professional,
Capitol Challenge, Washington DC.

I just viewed a short clip of your method on RFD TV. Practiced what I'd d seen and I now have a relaxed, cooperative, 17.2 hand horse. He is a 10 year old ex-racer, who I am retraining for pleasure. We've had our share of difficulties and discussions. Today he became the calm, loving, horse I knew he could be. In 15 quick minutes of your method, prior to lunging, he relaxed and was the best on the lunge line that he had ever been. Thanks for the help and I will be ordering your DVD.