Brain Works and Ground Work
Jim talks about how the horse's brain works and how we use groundwork to communicate with the horse.
Jim talks about how the horse's brain works and how we use groundwork to communicate with the horse.
In this video, Jim explains the reason for having to stay in constant conversation with our horses while riding. But, how do we get the horses attention when they aren't paying attention? Watch this video to learn more from Jim.
In this video series, Jim Thomas talks about helping a horse find a safe space, and how to transfer that one safe into other areas or tasks for the horse. Dr. Steve Peters is on site for this demonstration and offers input as well. We will be posting a three-part series of these videos with Mason the horse, Jim's perspective and some insight from Dr. Peters. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 but each video has information independently useful.
Jim demonstrates the need to be mindful about how we ask our horse to turn with proper hands and by lifting UP not OUT with the reins. This is a great video to watch and then go out practice!
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.
“It’s all about helping a horse shape up to a feel. And when I say shape up, it’s from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. It’s not about just turning the head in or the shoulder in, it’s about the whole body picking up that shape.” In this video lesson, Jim continues his work with training horse Sandy, an 8-year-old quarter horse who was started under saddle a few years ago but ridden very inconsistently since. He runs through a few little evaluation exercises before swinging a leg over the saddle.
When working with horses we often hear, “You just need to show him who’s boss,” or “I hope you didn’t let him get away with that.” Do these phrases sound familiar? As I continue on my own horsemanship journey, I find myself wondering what I was thinking in the past when I would sometimes scold a horse. Did the punishment meet the crime? Was it really a crime? Was it a behavior I or someone had taught the horse? Was he just escaping a fear? All these are valid points in decisions we must make, split-second, to continue the positive