The Masterson Method secret to releasing muscle tension is by using a level of touch that bypasses the horses’ flight or bracing response and allows him to release the tension himself.
Starting with “air gap”, a level of touch that barely touches the skin, we can activate the horse’s nervous system to release large amounts of muscle tension. Using a simple axiom: Search, Response, Stay, Release, you can begin to facilitate the process.
The Bladder Meridian Technique:
SEARCH – starting at the poll, slowly run your fingers about two inches below the top line of the horse using very light ‘air gap’ level of touch. Keep the pace slow enough to watch for responses, but not too slow to lose the interest of your horse.
RESPONSE - watch for very subtle signs (for example an eye blink, or lip twitch) where the horse tells you there is tension being held under that area. Once you see the horse responding….
STAY - remain very lightly on that area, doing nothing, except bringing the horse’s attention to the area, so that his nervous system can start the next step….
RELEASE - the horse begins to give larger signs that muscle tension has let go. These larger release responses can be one or a combination of the following: licking and chewing, snorting or sneezing, shaking its head or body, or repeated yawning.
With this Search, Response, Stay, Release process the horse will show where his muscles have accumulated tension, and when that tension is being released. Although this formula can be used anywhere on the horse, the Bladder Meridian starts at the poll and runs about two inches off of the crest of the horse until it reaches the croup. From there it leaves the top line and follows the groove down the hind leg, over the side of the hock, just off the hind centerline of the leg, down the groove of the cannon bone, over the fetlock to its termination on the coronary band.
We know from experience that after the horse has shown these release responses there is more relaxation and circulation in the muscles. Range of motion is improved and often straightness is enhanced as unilateral tension or “torque” on the key junctions has released. You should feel the difference in the ride and, if you’re competing in a timed sport, a difference in the clock.
By taking the time to really focus on the horse’s responses, and having the patience to lightly wait (STAY, STAY, STAY) until the horse gives you a larger release, you will obtain amazing results.
Throw away the clock; you’re on the horse’s time now. It can take up to a minute or more after the smaller initial response on an area for the horse’s nervous system to start to let go. Stay focused on what the horse is “telling” you during the process. He is the leader in this dance between the two of you.
When your horse RELEASES, it’s like hitting gold. When he begins to lick and chew, or yawns repeatedly, there can be no doubt of a correlation between your light touch and the horse’s release of tension.
This technique is deceptively simple, but incredibly powerful.
To watch Jim teaching the Bladder Meridian technique at a Beyond Horse Massage Weekend Seminar-Workshop visit: https://youtu.be/GPVyG37Wve0
About the Masterson Method® of Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork:
The Masterson Method is an integrated, multi-modality method of equine massage. It is a unique, interactive method of equine massage in which you learn to recognize and use the responses of the horse to your touch to find and release accumulated tension in key junctions of the body that most affect performance.
Source: Equimed
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