"Be the Bridge, Not The Block"
"Bridging the gap between the natural herd dynamic and the domesticated world."
Step through the Doorway...
Sensory Soundness & Herd Dynamics
When people ask me to describe my work with horses, I often say that I translate the equine mind. My focus is on understanding and interpreting the behavioural and sensory dynamics of horses, exploring how they perceive and respond to their environment. We all know what horses are; my work is about uncovering the unique traits that define who a horse is. It’s a journey of discovery, revealing the emotional and behavioural nuances that shape their actions and performance, bridging the gap between human intention and equine emotion.
What You’ll Discover: At the core of my approach is the belief that every horse has a unique behavioral profile—a combination of Sensory Soundness, Stress Tolerance Thresholds, Individual and Group Herd Dynamics, Performance Capacity, and Emotional Intelligence Levels. These pillars shape a horse’s experience of their world and understanding them is key to fostering a deeper connection and a more effective partnership between horse and human. Through ongoing research and innovative methodologies, including the pioneering concept of Sensory Soundness, I aim to enhance the bond between ourselves and our horses. Sensory Soundness connects the physical world with the emotional horse, acting as the operating system that runs the machine. It measures a horse’s capacity to harmonize with their environment, mitigate emotional stress, and achieve the all-important harmony and contentment through the efficiency of their sensory sequence. For the herd-wired horse, harmony with their environment and contentment with their peers is the true definition of happiness. Understanding herd dynamics and the impacts of herd psychology in the domesticated environment is critical to comprehending how horses emotionally absorb, process, and express stress. This insight is central to my work in Equine Psychology, as I strive to help horses achieve a better state of emotional well-being. By analyzing a horse’s sensory profile—encompassing visual, auditory, and tactile sensitivities—we gain invaluable insights into who the horse is, not just what they are. This holistic perspective acknowledges the interconnectedness of a horse’s sensory experiences with their overall emotional well-being and performance all within the framework of natural herd dynamics. Your Journey with Us: As you explore this website, you’ll discover a wealth of resources—from in-depth equestrian lessons and lectures to tailored services—all crafted to deepen your understanding and support of your equine partners. Whether I’m leading a clinic, presenting a lecture, or pioneering new research, my mission is to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to better understand and enrich your relationship with your horse, and to appreciate the internal beauty inherent in all horses. Through the lens of herd psychology, I explore how horses interpret their surroundings, adapt to situational chaos, and manage stress relative to their physical movements and the emotional environments around them—concepts that form the backbone of my educational offerings. This unique approach blends the art of horsemanship with the science of nature, offering you a journey of discovery that will deepen your understanding of the horse and unlock the hidden talent within each of you. Join me on this journey through the equine mind. Explore our services, dive into our educational opportunities, and discover the profound connection that can be achieved when we truly take our view, from the hoof. "When we discover how our horses are communicating with their environment, we can learn how to properly communicate with them. To better understand the world of the horse, we must explore the horse's view of their world." —KMT
Now Available!
Pre Recorded Webinar
Understanding Herd Psychology in a Domesticated World
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Develop tools to “be the bridge and not the block,” creating better communication and relationships.
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Who is this webinar for? Equine professionals, including trainers, breeders, and behaviorists, looking to enhance their understanding of natural herd dynamics to improve training and performance outcomes. Equestrian enthusiasts who want to deepen their knowledge of horses’ emotional and social structures. People interested in learning innovative, practical strategies for bridging the gap between natural and domesticated environments. Horses in domestication often experience psychological isolation, residual stress, and challenges in adapting to artificial herd environments created by humans. Many owners and equine professionals struggle to: Interpret the nuanced emotional and social dynamics of horses. Maintain emotional connectivity when physical freedom is limited. Understand how hierarchy, herd roles, and peer filters influence a horse's behavior and training outcomes. This webinar addresses these gaps by teaching students how to communicate with their horses effectively and create a more emotionally harmonious environment, even in domestication.
Latest Podcast:
Equine PTSD and Navigating Trauma
In this episode of Beyond The Hoof with Kerry & Daphne, we explore the profound impact of Equine PTSD and trauma on horses' emotional and physical well-being. Kerry delves into the mechanisms behind emotional scars, the role of herd dynamics, and the power of positive associations in healing. Learn how understanding a horse's sensory system and anticipatory responses can unlock new pathways to emotional recovery. We also discuss Reflective Learning Therapy and the incredible connection between horses and humans in processing stress and anxiety. Join us for an inspiring conversation on fostering emotional wellness in our equine partners.
"A horse lives by the laws of their nature. Where they fit in to the herd, how they interpret their world, how they learn, how they're coached, how they ultimately perform, is governed by the rules of that nature; it is wise to make and effort, to understand it."
Kerry M Thomas