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, Jim displays a whole hour of trailer training in 6 minutes. Jim will also talk about tying in the trailer and why he trailer trains the way that he does at the end of the video. Enjoy!
What does the hierarchy of anxiety look like for the horse? What's the optimal state of cognitive arousal to work with your horse? What happens if you reach the apex? Thanks to the authors of Evidence-Based Horsemanship for this information!
We have to give horses the opportunity to investigate. Does your horse use their hands (yes, I said hands!) and learn? Or do they close their eyes and hold their breath? Jim takes three minutes to discuss the difference in teaching the horse how to learn new things and forcing the horse to do things. Watch now to learn more.
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.
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.
Do you have a Spooky Sally? In this video, Jim works with a horse who has spooking issues under saddle.
Sometimes, horses will display aggression toward other horses when under saddle. In this clinic clip video, Jim has riders do an exercise to work through that aggression.
Riders often come to me for advice because they’re having a hard time getting their horse’s mind and body soft and willing when they go to work in the arena. I always respond with the same question— “How do you go about your lesson with your horse?” Their response always seems to be the same. “I catch my horse, lead him to the barn, put him in cross-ties, groom and saddle, lead him to arena, get on and hit the rail for our warm-up.” Usually, they go on to say that the horse starts pushing through all directions once they
As I reach between my shoulder blades, I can still feel the results of a missed warning— “a shot across the bow”— from a few weeks ago in the Netherlands. I’ve replayed the video a few times for friends to show that the missed signal will always develop into something bigger! In my daily activities of working with horses both from the ground and under-saddle, I don’t know of a time the horse didn’t give me a clue of what might happen next if I didn’t take their concerns with some level of importance. Horses are no different than people
