About

Who benefits from equine bodywork? They all do.

Keegan is a Masterson Method® Certified Practitioner, a modality that works with the nervous system to help release tension and/or restriction in the body. This tension may be caused by structural or posture misalignments, discipline and repetitive motion—or habitually as a defense mechanism. Much like human bodywork, the goal is to get equine out of their sympathetic, “fight or flight” nervous system and into the parasympathetic nervous system to allow them to feel safe, relax and release tension on their own. Sessions will work to “peel back the layers” of tension that have built up over time, and allow freedom of movement and functionality. As this happens, it tends to also improve connection and trust. Any animal can benefit, but it is especially useful to animals with conformation or structural compromise, behavioral problems or trust issues.

Masterson Method® certification generally takes practitioners between 1-3 years to complete and includes around 500 hours of training with at least three instructors, three mentors, a coach, an anatomy course and in-depth case studies on a minimum of 15 horses. Keegan completed work on 100 different horses before certification. The program is designed to mentor new practitioners in a way to allow for consistency and a solid understanding of the techniques before obtaining certification. Bodywork is not a replacement for professional guidance or treatment that may be received from a veterinarian, osteopath, chiropractor, farrier, dentist, tack expert or trainer. A bodyworker works best in conjunction with these professionals to assure proper care is received for an animal to live their best life. Bodywork is simply one of many tools in the toolbox to help our equine.