Understanding how to work with the horse on the ground is of vital importance. It all transfers to the saddle as well, but it is also for safety. Jim shows how to do obstacles, which could be everyday stuff around the barn, as well as discusses the importance of teaching a horse position and space. Check it out now!
This is an AWESOME video made by Nieske Pohlmann of Paarden Luisteren of her clients horse Getme, a nice Dutch WB that had a tough past with extreme trust issues! Jim Thomas started this guy under saddle while in the Netherlands Spring 2019. Thank you to Nieske and team for the video showing the 10 day journey of Getme. Watch to see all the steps, and progress, that was made by training through understanding!
Did you know MOST riding accidents happen at the mounting or dismounting!? It is SO important for your horse to be settled, and ready, at the mounting block. Making sure to teach a horse to not walk off, stand square at the block and be relaxed could prevent injuries and accidents. Make sure to watch this quick video on just one technique for teaching a horse to stand at a block with Jim.
In this video Jim Thomas demonstrates and discusses the purpose and effectiveness of a "3 foot lunge" with a beautiful Friesian stallion. The horse does not need to make you a "june bug on a string" and lunging should NEVER be for the intention to "wear a horse out". Instead, find out more about the HOW and WHY Jim uses a rope and does small three foot circles to gain the brain of the horse and start working.
In this video, Jim takes the time to demonstrate teaching a horse how to handle a task by learning to feel calm and confident. The important part of this video is the horse learning to RESPOND not to REACT! This transcends to trailer loading or ANY task! The methodology here is VERY important so please take a minute and watch this video and share with friends!
Many riders get stuck in the Walk/Trot because they are nervous to teach their horse to canter. This is a great video about the time it takes, and how to teach, a horse how to canter. In this video, you can see a portion of a lesson Jim was teaching with a great horse and rider and the important steps (and not important ones *hint - directions*) needed to get the horse to pick up a canter and feel good about it!
What does the first ride with a green horse look like? How does Jim Thomas use patience, softness, and understanding of the horse's brain to create a good experience for the horse in the very beginning? Find out in this video of the first ride with an untrained Morgan horse.
It's important to keep your horse out of your space and in his proper position when doing anything from the ground, even leading him around. Here's why.
Does your horse like to act like a slinky when riding with a group on the trail (dragging up the tail, falling behind, then trotting to catch up) or do you have a "I gotta get there first and the lead the pack" horse? Either way, it can be a bother when you want to have a nice, relaxing ride with a group of friends. In this clinic clip, Jim touches on what to do in either situation.
Have you ever considered the horse's brain? In this clinic clip, Jim very briefly touches on the tip of the iceberg of a horse's neurochemicals.
