What I Did Last Weekend

Last weekend was spent at Wild Ridge Farm in Oxford, NY, learning the Masterson Method of horse bodywork (www.mastersonmethod.com).  I bought the book and DVD in November of last year and had started doing a few of the simpler techniques on my own.  The horses loved it and I wanted to learn even more.  It was very exciting to find a location closer than Connecticut or Kentucky.

Here is our happy group on the porch of the barn!  This farm is unbelievable--great facilities, indoor ring, stalls to dream about.  Marie Riley was our instructor and Doris was her assistant.  Tons of fun and information.

Most of our time was spent working on the horses.  Several people were able to bring their own horses and were generous enough to allow others to work on them.  Each of us worked on five or more horses over the two days.  Here's Phil working on one of Shelley's horses.  Yes, we really do get them to put their heads on our shoulders as we massage the poll.  With the Masterson Method, the horses tell us where they have tension and we can help them release it.  Sound weird?  It's truly magic, especially when you see the results of your work almost immediately.

Here's Valerie (on left) with Jack and Marie (right).  You can learn more about Valerie and her farm on her Facebook account; look for Valerie Turner with the picture of her riding a horse. Wild Ridge Farm is a center for Natural Horsemanship Learning and Training.  Having seen her working her horses under saddle and at liberty, I can say she does an amazing job.  Check her out!

Here I am with Piper, owned by Phil and Sandy from Canada!  I worked on Piper quite a bit and we developed a rapport.

And this is Sylvia, Piper's herd mate.  I learned to do legs forward and legs back on her!

And here we are doing the wave.  I learned so much over those two days--and I have been using those techniques at the barn.  Can we just say that the horses are verrrrrryyyyyy mellow?

Tomorrow I'll finish the tale of the Canada trip.


Blissful hugs,
Sharon


P.S.  I am listening to Chasing the Night by Iris Johansen.