Forward Fluidity
Equine Sessions
Equine Masterson Method® sessions are typically 1.5 hours long and cost $100 per session. We always have to work with the horse that is in front of us on any given day, so sessions can end up being shorter. If my schedule allows and it is okay with the horse I sometimes run longer as well. Discounted rates can be negotiated for long term, ongoing bodywork and for visits that include sessions for 3-5 horses at one location. A travel fee will be charged for barns more than 20 miles outside of Athens, GA.
What to Expect
Before a first session with a horse I will ask you to sign a 'Consent for Bodywork' form and for some basic background information on the animal. An ideal space for a Masterson Method® session is a relatively quiet area with few distractions. A stall, round pen, wash area, or even an arena can work well. I use a halter and a lead rope. Follow up sessions do not require an additional consent form, but information regarding any physical or behavioral changes in the horses performance, attitude, and body posture are appreciated.
Your horse should not be trailored or worked for 24 hours following a session, though relaxed, natural movement by hand or loose in a pasture is recommended.
Always confirm with your veterinarian that bodywork is appropriate for your horse if they are suffering from an acute condition, are moving strangely, or seem to not be feeling well. Bodywork is not a substitute for veterinary care and may not be appropriate in certain circumstances.
Though not expected, horses do sometimes get worse after a session before they begin to improve. It is possible to relax tension in an area that was helping the horse compensate for discomfort somewhere in the body. The tension was allowing them to avoid pain, but was also making them more prone to injury and limiting their performance. Finding all of the areas where a horse is holding tension and figuring out the reasons behind it can be tricky! It can take weeks, months or even years of care for some compensation patterns to be unwound and for an underlying cause to then be addressed.