“Be the Bridge, Not the Block”
Herd Dynamics & Sensory Soundness
with
Kerry M Thomas
Founder
Trusted Worldwide. Invited Everywhere.
From presenting at the United States Eventing Association (USEA) championships to headlining international clinics in Australia, Europe, and the UK, and speaking engagements for Royal Families in Jordan and Qatar, Kerry M. Thomas has been a featured voice in equine psychology and performance innovation worldwide.
He has delivered private lectures at Churchill Downs, served as a guest of Humana for exclusive leadership events, and has been invited as a feature presenter for the 2025 Horse Economic Forum in Portugal, where he is scheduled to share insights on advancing equine tourism through interactive education and innovative herd dynamic applications.
These diverse invitations—spanning elite racing, sport horse disciplines, and international leadership forums—reflect not only his global reach, but the universal value of his groundbreaking work in Herd Dynamics and Sensory Soundness™.
Event partners, sponsors, and planners are encouraged to reach out to explore collaboration opportunities. From exclusive presentations to high-impact clinics and global forums, customized engagements are available worldwide. *More information Here
Presentations | Keynotes, Workshops & Clinics
Educational. Immersive. Emotionally Intelligent
About
​
Presentations by Kerry M. Thomas offer audiences a rare and transformative window into the emotional operating system of the horse. Through captivating keynote talks, immersive live demonstrations, and intimate clinics, these boutique experiences bridge equine psychology with human connection—spanning performance, wellness, leadership, and personal growth.
​
What makes these talks unique is not just the content, but the presenter himself. Kerry is not a “cookie-cutter” speaker. Guided by prepared notes yet instinctive in delivery, his words are raw, real, and deeply human. Each keynote is personalized to the audience, unpolished in the best way, and always infused with sincerity and passion. Attendees consistently remark on the accessibility of the experience—Kerry takes time to connect, answer questions, and ensure no two events are ever the same.
​
Whether you’re planning a high-level business conference, international equestrian retreat, regional symposium, or private gathering, each experience is crafted to deliver emotional impact, educational clarity, and lasting inspiration.
Learn to Be the Bridge, Not the Block. Here we explore how to close the gap between the natural herd dynamic and the domesticated world.
​
All presentations are booked directly through our team or through approved partners internationally.
-
Keynotes may be booked individually.
-
Workshops (host-provided demo horses) and Clinics (registered client horses with full evaluation & report) are offered with select programs.
Workshops and Clinics typically span 2–3 days. Pricing is customized per event based on logistics, number of presentations, and location. Filming is permitted only in designated segments. Unauthorized recording is strictly prohibited.
Signature Presentation Collection
Curated talks, workshops, and clinics for discerning events and transformative audiences.
Performance & Herd Dynamics
Unlocking Equine Potential
Keynote Only
Step into the essentials of performance psychology and Sensory Soundness™. This keynote introduces the core building blocks of the equine operating system—Individual Herd Dynamic (IHD), Group Herd Dynamic (GHD), and Independent Nature—and why nurturing them is vital to developing high-level athletes.
​
Audiences learn how to identify, enrich, and coach horses with varying psychological leanings, and how to build stronger communication bridges through emotional intention. Kerry also explores practical strategies like designing “human-based sensory efficiency obstacle courses” to better communicate your intent from the ground up.
​
This keynote stands on its own as a transformational experience—but also serves as the perfect predecessor to the deeper, arena-based exploration of Herd Dynamics of Performance.
​
Understanding Natural Herd Psychology in the Domesticated World
Keynote Talk / Lecture
Overview
Horses live by laws of nature that do not disappear when they enter the human world. This keynote explores how natural herd psychology translates into domestication, and what that means for training, relationships, and emotional well-being. You’ll discover how hierarchy, herd roles, and sensory processing continue to shape behavior, even when horses live in stalls, paddocks, or performance barns.
Key Takeaways
-
Learn how natural herd dynamics operate beneath the surface of domesticated life.
-
Explore practical ways to incorporate the wisdom of the natural herd into your horse’s daily environment.
-
Understand how to be the bridge, not the block—supporting your horse’s emotional processing instead of unintentionally disrupting it.
-
Recognize the roots of stress, isolation, and adaptation challenges common in modern management.
-
Gain strategies for fostering emotional connectivity and authentic partnership.
Why It Matters
Horse behavior, no matter the discipline or lifestyle, is underwritten by the imprint of herd instinct. By understanding this psychology and learning how to integrate it into our domesticated environments, you’ll be better equipped to communicate, support emotional balance, and strengthen the bond you share with your horse.
​
Expand Your Learning
This keynote is available as a live presentation, and participants are encouraged to explore the full webinar on the same topic in our Advanced Equine Studies for a deeper dive.
​
​
Human ↔ Horse Connection: Performance in Action
Keynote + Evaluation Clinic
​Summary
This immersive 2–3-day event is designed for anyone who wants to deepen the bond between horse and human. Through live evaluation, applied learning, and open discussion, you’ll explore how herd dynamics and sensory soundness shape the way horses communicate, connect, and perform. Unlike traditional clinics, this event leans into the relationship first, helping you understand your horse through the lens of their natural herd structure and emotional world.
​Core Lecture Presentations
-
Understanding Herd Dynamics
-
Understanding Sensory Soundness
Workshop & Clinic Features
Up to four horses per day may be pre-submitted for a full Herd Dynamic Profile™, complete with video analysis and written reports. Attendees observe live evaluations with Kerry’s real-time commentary, connecting theory with practice in a way that is engaging, educational, and immediately applicable. Horses not directly profiled still benefit, as participants learn to “read the room” and recognize the subtle emotional cues of the herd dynamic in action.
​
Be the Bridge, Not the Block
A central theme of this event is learning how to bridge the gap between the natural herd dynamic and the domesticated world. You’ll gain tools to support your horse’s emotional needs, strengthen communication, and avoid becoming an inadvertent block to their natural processing. This is about becoming the steady, trusted partner your horse looks to for connection and leadership.
​
An Immersive Journey
Always tailored to the audience and host facility, this event balances lecture, Q&A, and hands-on evaluation. It is often a deeply personal journey into the mind of the horse—suitable for all levels, all disciplines, and all who wish to build stronger relationships.
​
Learn more here: Human <-> Horse Connection
Herd Dynamics of Performance: Workshop & Clinic
Event Overview
This immersive multi-day event is designed for riders, trainers, breeders, and equine professionals who want to unlock the true athletic potential of the horse. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience identifying and developing elite equine athletes, Kerry M. Thomas takes you inside the psychology of performance—revealing what it takes for a horse to fulfill their physical and pedigree promise.
​
Unlike traditional training clinics, this program puts the mind of the equine athlete first—the operating system running the machine. You’ll discover how herd dynamics and sensory soundness shape a horse’s ability to compete, adapt, and thrive under pressure, and you’ll learn how to select, develop, and support horses with the psychological aptitude for success at every level of sport.
Core Presentations
-
Herd Dynamics of Performance
-
Sensory Soundness & Performance
-
Equine Aptitude: Selection & Troubleshooting
With ample Q&A and workshop-style engagement, this event encourages participants to apply concepts directly to their own horses and disciplines. Attendees may also bring their horse(s) for a Herd Dynamic & Sensory Soundness Performance Evaluation, complete with individualized coaching notes and developmental strategies.
A Boutique Performance Event
​
Always tailored to the needs of the host and the attending discipline (with 3-Day Eventing often a focus), this program blends lecture, interactive discussion, and hands-on evaluation. It is a rare opportunity to explore performance from the inside out: Performance, driven by emotion...
​
​
Sensory & Emotional Intelligence
​
​
Understanding Sensory Soundness™
Keynote + 2 Workshops + Clinic Option
Discover how horses process sensory data and how this impacts emotional balance and communication. Audiences learn how to enhance both equine and human “sensory efficiency” through practical workshops—Sensory Mapping and Human-Horse Obstacle Course Design.
​
Walk away with a deeper ability to recognize emotional imbalances, design supportive environments, and communicate intentions with clarity.
The Horse in the Mirror
Keynote Only
This may well be the most emotionally powerful and personally human keynote you will ever experience. It explores the horse’s gift of emotional mirroring and the profound lessons that arise when we allow ourselves to see who we are through their eyes.
Guided by notes but instinctive in delivery, Kerry’s talks are passionate, sincere, and unpolished in the best way. He personalizes each session for the audience, invites reflection, and creates space for interaction. More than a lecture, this keynote is a shared human journey—ideal for wellness practitioners, therapists, and anyone seeking reconnection in an often-disconnected world.
​
Equine PTSD & Understanding Trauma
Keynote Only
Uncover the emotional wounds that often go unseen. This keynote equips attendees to identify trauma, understand its behavioral expressions, and support healing in horses who have endured disrupted or fractured experiences.
A vital session for professionals and horse owners seeking to deepen their empathy and capacity for support.
Therapy, Wellness & Caregiving
​
Selecting, Enriching & Nurturing the Therapy Horse
Keynote + Arena Workshop
Learn the traits that create emotionally stable therapy horses and how to nurture them for longevity in therapeutic work. Participants gain tools to identify stress, prevent burnout, and enrich environments for optimal equine wellness.
​
Life Through the Lens of the Caregiver: What Horses Taught Me​​
Keynote + Optional Coaching Sessions
A deeply personal reflection on resilience, caregiving, and emotional growth inspired by Kerry’s lived journey. Audiences are invited into the lessons horses taught him about empathy, endurance, and love.
Optional one-on-one coaching provides deeper application for those seeking to integrate the principles into personal or professional caregiving contexts.
Breeding & Behavioral Genetics
​
The Nature of Breeding
Keynote Only
Go beyond conformation—into the emotional genome. This keynote reveals how heritable psychological traits shape development, adaptability, and future potential.
​
Attendees discover how to select pairings not just for physical traits but for emotional compatibility and resilience. The economics of behavior simply makes sense.​​​​
Legacy Talks & Storytelling
​
​
Herd Wired: Beyond The Hoof with Kerry M. Thomas
Exclusive Book Talk & Signing
Step into the heartbeat of Herd Wired.
This exclusive presentation weaves a keynote rich with stories, rare insights, and moments that bring the book’s pages to life. More than a signing, it’s an intimate passage into the unseen world of the horse — experienced through the eyes of decades in the field, from wild herds to elite athletes. A chance to share in the discoveries, the questions, and the quiet truths that shaped this legacy work.
​
Understanding Herd Structure
Keynote Only
An exploration of social order, relational bonds, and natural roles in herd life. Perfect for educators, trainers, and lifelong learners seeking to understand the deeper framework of herd behavior.
Leadership & Business Development
​
​
The Nature of Leadership
Keynote Only
Translate the rules of the herd into actionable insights for leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication. From CEOs to HR heads, this keynote transforms how teams connect.
​
Ideal for corporate conferences, leadership offsites, and team-building retreats. Optional add-ons include custom workshops, executive coaching, and branded workbooks to extend the impact.
​
​
Add-On Options and Revue (Venue Dependent)
​
• Workshop Demonstrations (host provides demo horses)
• Private Clinics (limited registration, evaluation report included)
• Book Signings (available with most presentations)
• VIP Coaching Sessions with Kerry M. Thomas
​
​
Every event is crafted to be as unique as the audience who attends.
Let us help you create an unforgettable experience.
​
To book a presentation, bundle multiple experiences, or request a custom quote:
​
FAQ’s:
-
Are educational events available anywhere in the world? Yes!
-
Can I have an event tailored to my specific needs or event goals? Yes!
-
Can I have arrange for a tailored clinic for my specific need? Yes!
-
Can I arrange to host a virtual lecture for my group or special event? Yes
-
Can I film or record the event? No, but you can take as many pictures as you wish!
-
How much do your Educational Events cost? Because of the unique nature of these events, each one is priced individually.
-
Do your clinics also include a lecture? Yes, each of the two clinics listed include lectures, discussions and Q-n-A's.
-
Can I request a tailored clinic? Yes, in fact many of the lecture topics can be paired with a clinic.
​
Want to organize an event? Want to sponsor an event? Want to discuss different options? Have any other
questions?
"Be The Bridge Not The Block"
Dutch Tour 2024
Applied Sensory Soundness Tour Australia
Melbourne, Sydney & Perth November, 2023
