About this Blog

Meet my very 1st horse, Lazarus.
I couldn't wait for Santa anymore or ask one more time for a pony for my bday (after age 30 it got embarrassing). I took matters in my own hands and I finally decided to pick a pony that needed a new home. Laz found me as I contemplated with this idea. He was sweet yet very sassy, fresh off the track, Thoroughbred (OTTB).
Join us for our re-training, rehabbing from laminitis and testing all parts of mixed up horsemanship and partnership, and luck...

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Bodywork-Masterson Method

Lazarus is one lucky and spoiled boy!
We had a most generous offer from a skilled body work masseuse to come and work on him.
That happened this past Saturday!!!
I've been so excited about it because Laz has been showing signs of being a bit 'locked up' in his muscles
Laz meets Tamara
"Whatcha goin to do??? You smell nice"
"OH?! Ohhhhhhhhhh"

Here's a short video:

 

 Ahhhhhhhhhh
 Yep, yep...right there
 I was just trying to be a good photographer here, lol!
 Yoga stretching. 
Everything was done slowly, slowly and lightly.  It was very calming and Lazarus really got a lot from it.
Tamara worked on him from 10 am to right around 1:30!!
  He showed signs of releasing: blinking, licking, chewing, head shaking,etc.  We also saw that he does little antics before his release, like weaving/head bobbing, almost fighting it, and that was followed by a big release.  Almost like "No, this doesn't feel good..I'm an athlete, I don't hurt...nope......no....no.....oh wait...oh yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"
 Holding his tongue (carefully) for releasing TMJ.  I just want to say, a lot of this is done from a trained professionals hands. Tamara showed me a few things I can do, but also a few things that should be left to the certified professionals, as to not to more damage.  The tongue release, I feel, for me, is one of those things.

This face was because the Mare, Jessie, next to him was in heat.
I guess Laz can multi-task
His stoic face...running nose from the massage indicates good things are happening.  Toxins be gone!
 
Some of the massage touches she did were ever so light!! She referred to it as light as if you use your fingers to touch an egg yolk...and look at how he's responding.  I did buy the Masterson Method video, to watch and do some of this work for him as he heals even more.  Perfect to do this winter, on those windy cold days, where we can opt to stay in his stall and stretch out.
She saw great progress in his hind end and said he wasn't showing pain in his feet.  Just in muscles, like hamstrings, back, etc.  It was very cool to see how he rippled his back in the beginning from ouchy spots, but after her work, he was steady and didn't move when she ran her fingers over his back.
After the massage, Tamara asked me to walk him for 10-20 minutes which we did.  Laz wanted to roll and roll and roll, which she mentioned he would because it helps with more releasing.
Watching the bodywork done was really fascinating...
xo THANK YOU Tamara (and Skip) for your skill and generosity!!! xo


And last night; he was playful, spring-y and full of it.
But, respectful and sweet as well.  He felt really good!
Check out his video of how good he felt....and looks!!!



13 comments:

  1. He did look like he was enjoying it - love the shot of him with his eyes closed! My chiro also does a lot of body work as well, and that's the part the horses seem to love best!

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  2. Such great photos, he looks like he's really enjoying himself. You are doing so many great things to help Laz heal. In my next life, I want to come back as one of our horses!

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  3. He looks fantastic! How great that he got worked on by a professional for so long. You're a very good horse mama:)

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  4. I'm so happy for you and Laz that you had the opportunity to do a bodywork session! I have seen huge differences in my horses and my student's horses after holistic treatments like bodywork, acupuncture/pressure and energy work...

    Petra Christensen
    Parelli 2Star Junior Instructor
    Parelli Central

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  5. I have heard such great things about the Masterson Method!! One of the girls at my barn used to actually have Masterson himself come down and work on her horses occasionally, as I guess he spends winters in Wellington -- and she said the difference she saw in her horses after his sessions was incredible.
    So glad that Laz is feeling better -- and, yes, he is one lucky boy! :-)

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  6. Love the last video! He looks great.

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  7. Laz looks like he loved every minute of it. It's great that she worked on him for so long, and I'm glad to see he's getting better every day. :)

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  8. Oh, he looks so good in that last video!

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  9. So happy I could help! Glad he feels so good, and LOVE the video. I still see a difference in the rear stride but he does look better in extension. Keep up the bodywork, via your video, and he should be in great shape by Spring! Lazarus is a really sweet soul, beautiful inside and out...as is his mama!

    The wind of heaven is that which blow between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb

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  10. I LOVE these photos. Laz looks like he is really feeling better during the massage. And the video of him proves it! What a beautiful boy!

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  11. Awww lucky Laz!! I need a massage lol. Maybe he can share. :D

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  12. hi im an advanced masterson student just finished phase 2 and loving every minute of treating horses as case studies the results are brilliant the feedback from the owners has been awsome and the releases of tension are instant the horses love it

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