Equine Performance Bodywork by Jennifer King-Decker

Equine Performance Bodywork by Jennifer King-Decker Masterson Method Certified Practitioner / Equine Myofascial Release (MFR) Serving St. Louis, Missouri and surrounding regions. What is the Masterson Method?

Masterson Method Certified Practitioner, also incorporate Equine Myofascial Release (MFR) techniques. The horse is the ultimate prey animal. When feeling threatened by something in the environment, he's hard-wired to run away first and ask questions later. Consequently, horses try not to show discomfort in their body. They hide it until lameness or sickness develops that they can no longer hide. To show weakness means to likely be cast out of the herd, and predators are alert, always looking for a sign of weakness. With the Masterson Method, as I run my hand lightly over the horse's body or move a part of the body, such as the leg or neck, through a range of motion in a relaxed state, I observe subtle changes in the horse’s body language, often merely the blink of his eyes. When I observe such a “blink”, it means that the horse’s body is telling me there is something there that the horse needs help with. The horse neurologically cannot stop his eye from blinking when I get near an area of special discomfort if I'm using a level of pressure that he can’t brace against. By recognizing and following the responses of the horse, I can help him to release deep-seated tension on his own. Thus, the Masterson Method is a technique of lightness, and unlike a traditional massage, the horse actively participates in the process. What is Myofascial Release (MFR)? Myofascial Release (MFR) works specifically with the fascia to relieve the tightness that causes muscle restrictions. Fascia is connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place. When stressed, it tightens. Fascial restrictions can reduce range of motion, create pain, weakness, and even lameness. Myofascial release is a hands-on, whole body technique. It applies gentle sustained pressure on the myofascial connective tissue to follow and release restriction.

My article on the Masterson Method equine bodywork demo I did last month at the Zenhorse Wild Woman Weekend is in this m...
09/16/2025

My article on the Masterson Method equine bodywork demo I did last month at the Zenhorse Wild Woman Weekend is in this month’s Masterson Method newsletter. Check it out!

Email from The Masterson Method Jim's Birthday Again? September 2025 Equine Newsletter Hi Everyone, Who's writing this Newsletter anyway? Natalie here (I'm back!) because Jim's playing hooky this mo

Still feeling inspired after an amazing few days at Wild Woman Weekend! ✨I had the honor of sharing the Masterson Method...
08/15/2025

Still feeling inspired after an amazing few days at Wild Woman Weekend! ✨

I had the honor of sharing the Masterson Method® with a group of ten women, guided by the gentle wisdom of three incredible geldings at the Wicked Pony Ranch.

We explored how soft, mindful touch can release deep tension in horses—and how the connection goes both ways. This work is healing for them and for us. 💫

I’m so grateful to be a part of nonprofit Zenhorse® which is dedicated to creating meaningful spaces for horse-human connection.

Grateful, grounded, and already looking forward to next year! 🐴

08/25/2024

Captured a wide array of releases in this bodywork session today. Releases are the body’s way of letting go of deep tension.

How many types of releases do you notice??

An intriguing new mindset I've been playing with with the horses.
06/11/2024

An intriguing new mindset I've been playing with with the horses.

Busy past few days incorporating Masterson Method and myofascial release techniques for horses! As I mentioned to a clie...
03/26/2024

Busy past few days incorporating Masterson Method and myofascial release techniques for horses! As I mentioned to a client this weekend, my goal is always a softer, bendier horse when I step away ❤ 🐎

02/16/2024

Bodywork is a slooow process as we wait for the soft tissues to relax and release. Here's a sped-up look at a session with one of my favorite hard-working grand prix dressage clients. Wait for the lick and chew at the end! 🐎

More fun with relaxing ear pulls this past weekend 🐎
02/05/2024

More fun with relaxing ear pulls this past weekend 🐎

An ear pull is a gentle myofascial release technique I've been using quite a bit lately in bodywork sessions. It's less ...
01/30/2024

An ear pull is a gentle myofascial release technique I've been using quite a bit lately in bodywork sessions. It's less of a "pull" and more of a gentle squeeze. More pressure can be added based on what the horse is telling me. It mobilizes bones in the cranium, allowing for the re-establishment of cranial and soft tissue symmetry. That is to say... horses love it! 🐎

01/16/2024
11/27/2023

Our Jennifer King-Decker, from Wright City, MO is this week's feature for !

Horses came into Jennifer’s life at a time when she was looking to unplug from city life. One riding lesson a week turned into two, which turned into leasing a horse… you get the picture. But something was still missing. Jennifer was interested in finding other means of building a relationship with her horse, spending time with her, and possibly even relieving all the tension she felt she was surely putting into her horse as she learned to gradually improve her riding. And that’s when she found The Masterson Method®.

The Masterson Method® is a technique of lightness, and Jennifer is fascinated that something as simple as the blink of the horse’s eye can be the horse’s body telling her there is something there that he needs help with. This communication between horse and practitioner during bodywork was the missing link she’d been searching for. Unlike a traditional massage, the horse actively participates in the process, it’s not something “done to” the horse.

As a certified practitioner in Masterson Method Integrated equine bodywork, Jennifer uses gentle techniques to release stress and accumulated tension in the horse, thus improving performance, range of motion, suppleness, and overall comfort in the horse. Jennifer has also completed training in and utilizes myofascial release techniques and kinesiology taping in her practice.

Personally, Jennifer sees herself as a lifelong learner when it comes to the horse. She’s taken lessons in jumping, western pleasure, showmanship, groundwork, and most recently she’s been pursuing dressage. In addition to regular riding lessons, Jennifer has participated in clinics in Centered Riding, dressage, and reading the horse. And, of course, there is much more she plans to pursue!

To find out more about Jennifer go to the following link:
https://mtr.cool/ughsxbfgim

Address

Foristell, MO

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