Health/Stable Management

Health/Stable Management

Get tips and learn skills to help keep your horse healthy and happy.

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Health/Stable Management
  • Lateral Flexion

    Jim moves between lateral flexion and lifting the horse's head to release more tension in the poll, which, for this horse, is worse on the right side. He watches the horse's reactions to notice when it's getting to be uncomfortable. He also talks about what causes tension in the poll.

  • Getting to Know Professional Groom Laurie Pitts

    Lifelong horsewoman Laurie Pitts shares the highlights of her career as a professional groom, including working for legendary horseman Rodney Jenkins and Olympic gold medalists Joe Fargis and Conrad Homfeld. For her work, she has traveled to Sweden for the first World Cup Final, and she was set t...

  • Grooming the Horse: Finishing Touches

    Laurie describes her system for a horse’s tail, mane and hoof care. For daily tail care, this means leaving it alone except for picking out large shavings. She shows a quick method for making the tail look good, keeping the hairs intact, for a lesson. For mane care, she explains how to keep the m...

  • What’s In Mario Martinez' Grooming Box

    FEI groom Mario Martinez shares the tools of the trade that he keeps in his grooming box He covers grooming tools from currycombs to brushes He also shares specific products he uses to detangles a horses tail massage a horse with sore muscles protect legs from scratches treat cuts and keep boots ...

  • Sheath Cleaning

    Veterinarian Sarah Cohen walks viewers through the process of sheath cleaning with a young horse. Sara Cohen explains the proper items needed for the sheath cleaning process and how to correctly use them for the benefit of your horse. Sara also demonstrates how to work with a horse who is not eag...

  • Introduction to the Masterson Method

    Jim gives an overall explanation of his Masterson Method, what it is and how it works. He talks about his background and how he got to do what he does. He was intrigued by the changes in the horse and started experimenting with it to develop it into the program he has today.

  • Levels of Pressure and Horse’s Responses

    Jim explains what the responses are that he looks for and how to read them He also demonstrates and goes over the different levels of pressure you can use The idea is to use the most pressure without the horse bracing against it He also goes over the three key junctions to check in the horse

  • The Bladder Meridian Technique

    Jim explains and demonstrates doing the bladder meridian technique. He starts at the poll using almost no pressure at all and looks for a response from the horse, staying there doing nothing until you get a release. If you put pressure on the area, the horse may start to brace and block it out. S...

  • The Bladder Meridian Technique

    Jim explains and demonstrates doing the bladder meridian technique. He starts at the poll using almost no pressure at all and looks for a response from the horse, staying there doing nothing until you get a release. If you put pressure on the area, the horse may start to brace and block it out. S...

  • Tongue Release for TMJ

    TMJ tension is common in horses. Jims answer for that is to do a tongue release. He explains and demonstrates how to do this and recommends doing it on both sides. This will help release the TMJ, hyoid and poll. You can do this prior to bridling the horse.

  • Tongue Release for TMJ

    TMJ tension is common in horses. Jims answer for that is to do a tongue release. He explains and demonstrates how to do this and recommends doing it on both sides. This will help release the TMJ, hyoid and poll. You can do this prior to bridling the horse.

  • Lateral Flexion

    Jim moves between lateral flexion and lifting the horses head to release more tension in the poll, which, for this horse, is worse on the right side. He watches the horses reactions to notice when its getting to be uncomfortable. He also talks about what causes tension in the poll.

  • Lateral Flexion of the Neck

    Jim shows how to do small movements in the neck. Its the relaxation, not the range of motion, that releases the tension, so you dont need a large range of motion. Its important not to rush because you can miss what the horse is telling you.

  • Lateral Flexion of the Neck

    Jim shows how to do small movements in the neck. It's the relaxation, not the range of motion, that releases the tension, so you don't need a large range of motion. It's important not to rush because you can miss what the horse is telling you.

  • Scapular Releases

    Moving on, Jim explains and demonstrates moving areas in the scapula to release tension in the shoulders, neck and withers. Mostly he wants everything to be relaxed. When the horse tenses, it means hes feeling uncomfortable. At that point you need to wait for the horse to relax.

  • Scapular Releases

    Moving on, Jim explains and demonstrates moving areas in the scapula to release tension in the shoulders, neck and withers. Mostly he wants everything to be relaxed. When the horse tenses, it means hes feeling uncomfortable. At that point you need to wait for the horse to relax.

  • Scapular and Wither Releases

    Jim works on shifting weight off of specific legs to help release tension in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The horse definitely is more uncomfortable one side versus the other, and tension upfront shows up in the horses hind legs.

  • Scapular and Wither Releases

    Jim works on shifting weight off of specific legs to help release tension in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The horse definitely is more uncomfortable one side versus the other, and tension upfront shows up in the horses hind legs.

  • Hind Leg Releases

    Jim explains and demonstrates leg releases which will help the pelvis drop and stretch. Pay attention to what the horse is doing so you know if they are uncomfortable, and you lessen the chance of being kicked. Moving the leg towards the midline will help the stifle relax, and stifle issues can r...

  • Sacrum Releases

    Moving to the hind end, Jim demonstrates sacrum releases, which can be helpful for horses who dont move quite right behind, but dont have any diagnosed issues in the feet and legs. He explains the different hind end points to check for tension and works in various areas to release tension in the ...

  • Sacrum Releases

    Moving to the hind end, Jim demonstrates sacrum releases, which can be helpful for horses who dont move quite right behind, but dont have any diagnosed issues in the feet and legs. He explains the different hind end points to check for tension and works in various areas to release tension in the ...

  • Gentle Rocking of Spinal Column

    Jim finishes with gently rocking the horse’s spinal column to try to generate movement from the tail to the poll. The horse shows good movement throughout his entire body. He does warn that horses can sometimes be a little sore after being worked on because their nervous system is firing and musc...

  • Gentle Rocking of Spinal Column

    Jim finishes with gently rocking the horses spinal column to try to generate movement from the tail to the poll. The horse shows good movement throughout his entire body. He does warn that horses can sometimes be a little sore after being worked on because their nervous system is firing and muscl...

  • Demo Work on a Horse's Poll, Neck and Shoulder

    Jim explains and demonstrates his methods on an Arabian mare who had an accident in the past and is tight in her poll, neck and shoulder. He stresses that you can't fix everything at once. Instead, you have to peel off a layer, get some success with that and then move on.