I started doing the Masterson Method on Ruby since the days are too hot and smoky (again) to do much else. So in the cool of the morning I worked on her for a couple of days.
I already know that she holds a lot of tension and stiffness/brace in her neck. So when I started with the bladder meridian work I wasn't at all surprised to find that is where I got places for her to release. She also had a few spots the first day in her lumbar area. It's all connected....
The second day she had a big reaction in one spot on the right side of her neck. As my hand approached a spot midway down her neck (I was using air gap pressure) I could feel that there was a knot there, and as I hovered over it she jumped like it was an electric spark, and then gave a big release.
I also did the front end work on her- head lowering, lateral flexion, head up, and the 3 scapular release methods. Once again, a lot of tension. But I'm finding that she isn't really expressive in her releases yet, sometimes just lip twitching and soft eye and sometimes, (less often) yawning and licking and chewing.
This morning it was hotter earlier, so I tried working on her in the shade of the shelter. Only did the bladder meridian as I could see that she was already quite warm as evidenced by distended nostrils and shallow quick breaths even in the shade. As you can see in this photo of Velvet, who was in the deepest shade of the shelter.
Not much sense in continuing, so I left it for another day. We are getting wind and thunderstorm warnings, as well as a forecast of a few showers so I hope it cools off enough to ride a bit. I want to see if she still braces in her neck or if she will be softer when I ask for a lateral bend.
Side note- I'm calling Velvet bred as she didn't come back into heat. 😄
5 comments:
It’s interesting to do this work and see their responses. Carmen often just twitches her muzzle.
I love Masterson Method for the information it gives you, and they really benefit from those releases. I’ve found that the more you do it, the more willing they are to release. It’s like a light goes on that they’re safe to give it up. It will be interesting if you see a corresponding softness in her bends. I need to start doing it with Tumbleweed.
I am sure whatever you do with them makes them feel better:) Yeah for another Beamer baby!
Nice work. I'll have to look up the Masterson Method.
We have some smoke, but we are breaking cool weather records for June.
Go figure.
I should be out riding, but I'm fixing fence and cleaning fence lines instead.
Interesting findings, that can only help.
I only know how to do the bladder meridian. Masterson presents at Midwest Horse Fair every year, since forever. I really wanted to attend his clinics this year, but they were very spread out over 3 days/times.
Cool photo of Velvet. Can't wait to see what Beamer baby she bakes :)) Such a pretty girl!
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