Experience & Recognition
Kerry M. Thomas’s work sits at the intersection of equine behavior, education, welfare, and performance. Over the course of several decades, his research, teaching, and consulting have been sought by institutions, professionals, and private clients around the world who are working to better understand how horses—and people—experience anxiety, stress, communication, and relationship.
Rather than focusing on outcomes alone, Kerry’s work emphasizes internal experience: how sensory processing, emotional regulation, and herd dynamics shape behavior, performance, and well-being across disciplines and environments.
International Education & Consulting
Kerry works internationally as an educator, presenter, and consultant, delivering lectures, clinics, and advisory services across a wide range of equine and human-centered industries. His work has spanned:
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Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and North America
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Private consulting for professional horsemen, breeders, and organizations
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Educational collaborations with universities, schools, and professional bodies
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Cross-disciplinary work connecting equine psychology with leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence
His global client base includes individuals and organizations from New Zealand, Japan, China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Uruguay, the United States, and beyond.
Institutional & Professional Roles
Kerry serves as a Special Advisor for Sensory Soundness™ and Herd Dynamic Profiling™ to the Transylvania University Equestrian Program (Lexington, KY), supporting the integration of psychological insight into equestrian education.
He has been a featured presenter for the United States Eventing Association (USEA), including the 2025 Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships, Horse Econimic Forum in Portugal, Horse Tech Conference in Ireland, and regularly collaborates with educational institutions and professional training programs seeking deeper literacy in equine behavior and welfare.
Elite Equine Performance & Selection
Kerry’s insights into herd dynamics, psychological pacing, and sensory organization have contributed to the evaluation and development of elite equine athletes across disciplines. His work has been associated with notable modern-era performers including:
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Runhappy
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Beauty Generation
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City of Light
For more than a decade, he partnered with Churchill Downs–associated clients, providing psychological performance profiling and behavioral insight related to Kentucky Derby contenders.
His consulting work has supported private-sector clients in making informed, ethical, and strategically sound decisions in horse selection, development, breeding, re-homing and long-term management.
Kerry’s work has been featured internationally, including:
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A front-page feature in The Wall Street Journal for innovative contributions to equine psychology
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A December 2024 & February 2026 feature in Bit & Cap, the Netherlands’ leading equestrian magazine
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Coverage in Barefoot Horse Magazine, Arabian Horse Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Appearances across television, radio, and equestrian podcast platforms
His work continues to contribute to articles, educational discussions, and professional dialogue surrounding equine behavior, welfare, and performance.
Signature Innovations & Frameworks
Kerry is the originator of several influential concepts and applied frameworks now used across disciplines, including:
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Herd Dynamic Profiling™ – examining how individual and group herd roles influence behavior, stress expression, and performance
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Sensory Soundness™ – a framework for understanding how horses process sensory information and regulate emotional load
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Psychological pacing and performance mapping tools that explore how perception, speed, and stress interact in motion
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Applied methodologies for evaluating emotional resilience, adaptability, and human–horse compatibility
These innovations are grounded in both independent field research and practical application, and are taught through lectures, clinics, and professional education.
Education, Publishing & Ongoing Work
Kerry is the author of Herd Wired: In Pursuit of Discovery, a field-companion exploration of the emotional, sensory, and herd-based foundations of equine behavior.
Together with his wife and creative partner, Daphne Thomas, he co-founded Beyond The Hoof Bookworks, an independent publishing imprint dedicated to thoughtful, experience-driven work at the intersection of horses, people, and understanding. They also co-host the Beyond The Hoof podcast, engaging in open dialogue around equine behavior, welfare, creativity, and the human–horse relationship.
Kerry’s ongoing educational work includes international lectures, clinics, keynote presentations, and the development of his Learning Library and The Psychology Of: webinar series—an evolving body of work designed for professionals, educators, and those seeking deeper insight into behavior, welfare, and performance.
A Grounded Philosophy
At the core of Kerry’s work is a belief that understanding must precede instruction, and that true progress, whether in horses or people—comes from honoring internal experience before asking for external compliance.
His work continues to evolve through education, collaboration, and lived experience, guided by a commitment to clarity, compassion, and responsibility in all aspects of the human–horse relationship.
“Herd Dynamics Matter; every horse, every discipline, everywhere.” kmt
Discover how Kerry M. Thomas’s expertise can transform your understanding of equine psychology. Whether you’re seeking elite consulting services, psychological evaluations, or the opportunity to attend a lecture or clinic, Kerry’s insights can help you and your horse achieve unparalleled success.
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