New Online Course Allows Horse Owners and Lovers to Learn Equine Massage and Bodywork by Home Study

Feb. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- When horses show subtle signs of stiffness or pain, owners become worried and want to help them relieve accumulated stress and tension. No one wants to see their horses uncomfortable, which is why in 2004 Jim Masterson began teaching the Masterson Method^® Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork at demonstrations and hands-on Weekend Seminars around the country.

Since then, thousands have gathered in private barns and public facilities in the U.S. and around the world  to learn techniques from Jim that allow them to help their horses lead happier and healthier lives. This unique method of equine bodywork has been used by Jim to improve performance on thousands of FEI level competition horses.

Now, the Masterson Method^® Weekend Seminaris available in an online course.

For horse owners and therapists who live in areas around the world where Masterson Method^® Weekend Seminars aren't available, the Beyond Horse Massage 6-Week Home Study Course provides a guided study of the techniques taught during a Masterson Method^® Weekend Seminar.

In addition to Instructional Practice Sheets with downloadable PDF's to guide the students' practice, and quizzes to ensure understanding of the material, this course will give students access to over six hours of video of Jim Masterson giving complete instruction in the techniques at a Weekend Seminar. The video portion includes detailed instruction and demonstrations for each of 12 techniques, follow-up videos in which the student will listen to actual seminar participants asking questions and discussing their experiences with the techniques, and Jim giving helpful hints and tips that will make practicing the techniques easier and more effective.

A Certificate of Completion will be provided upon completion, and the course is approved for 12 Continuing Education through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Organization (NCBTMB). Online Home Study Course Graduates will also receive a $100 discount on a Masterson Method^® Weekend Seminar.

This is an excellent course for horse owners and lovers who are a) new to equine massage and who would like to practice and learn more before taking a course, b) are already familiar with equine massage in general or the Masterson Method^® in particular and would like to deepen their knowledge and practical experience at home, or c) who live in a part of the world which makes travel to one of our Masterson Method^® Weekend Seminars a challenge.

It is also a valuable tool for equine massage therapists looking to integrate principles of reading and following the responses of the horse to touch into their tool boxes of techniques.

This online Home Study Course is not meant to replace the hands-on instruction received during and actual Masterson Method^® Weekend Seminar, but rather give the student guided study and practice of the material taught in the Weekend Seminar. It is the next best alternative to attending a Masterson Method^® Weekend Seminar in person.

Jim Masterson teaches a unique method of equine body work in which the practitioner recognizes and follows the responses of the horse to touch to release tension in key junctions of the body that most affect performance. He has used these principles of behavior and release of tension on thousands of horses on the U.S. show jumping circuit from 2000 until 2013, and on the USEF Endurance Team horses for the 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012 WEG and World Championships. He began teaching the Masterson Method® in 2004 to competitors, therapists and owners interested in improving performance and communication with their horses. Masterson Method courses are approved for CPD points by the Irish Massage Therapists Association and in the U.S. by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Organization (NCBTMB). You can find information on the Beyond Horse Massage book and DVD and seminars at https://www.mastersonmethod.com/home-study.