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Draft:Kerry M. Thomas

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Kerry M. Thomas (born October 20, 1968) is an American equine behavioral analyst, author, and founder of the Thomas Herding Technique (THT), Sensory Soundness™, and Herd Dynamic Profiling™, known for pioneering the field of emotional conformation profiling in horses.[1][2][3] His work is applied in Thoroughbred racing, sport horse development, therapeutic horsemanship, and equine-assisted leadership training.

Early Life and Education

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Thomas was born in Cochranville, Pennsylvania.[4] As a child, he was drawn to wildlife observation and natural behavior, particularly in wild horse herds. He conducted field research on the Pryor Mountain Mustangs in Montana and Wyoming, focusing on their herd communication and emotional intelligence—insights that inspired his emotional conformation framework.[5][6]

He is colorblind, a trait that led him to rely on behavioral nuance rather than appearance to identify individual horses.[7]

Career

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Thomas launched his professional research in the 1990s, focusing on herd dynamics and emotional communication in wild horse populations. He developed Herd Dynamic Profiling™, a cognitive-emotional framework evaluating a horse’s Individual and Group Herd Dynamic (IHD and GHD).[8]

He also coined the term Sensory Soundness™, describing a horse’s ability to interpret and manage multi-sensory input without psychological disruption. These frameworks are applied across high-stakes equine environments, including elite racing, Olympic-level sport horse training, therapy centers, and equine-assisted learning programs.[9]

Thomas initially branded his work as the Thomas Herding Technique (THT), later forming THT Bloodstock and Sensory Soundness LLC.[10]

Thomas serves as a Special Advisor to the Transylvania University Equestrian Program.[11]

Applications in Racing

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Thomas’s behavioral profiling has been used to evaluate Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup contenders. His emotional conformation ratings have been cited as a predictor of racing performance, particularly under pressure.[12]

He co-authored the book Horse Profiling: The Secret to Motivating Equine Athletes with Calvin Carter in 2012.[13] He is also the creator of The Competitor’s Edge, a visual handicapping scouting report used during the Triple Crown season.

Global Consulting

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Thomas has conducted clinics and lectures internationally, including in Australia, England, the Netherlands, Jordan, and Qatar. He was invited to consult with the Royal Family of Jordan—including work with Princess Alia Al Hussein in Amman.[14][15]

International Speaking Engagements

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Kerry M. Thomas, equine behavioral analyst, pictured at the Horse Economic Forum in Portugal, July 2025.

In July 2025, Thomas was invited as a featured presenter to the Second Horse Economic Forum (HEF II), hosted by the Municipality of Alter do Chão in Portugal—a government-supported international event focused on innovation and sustainability in the equine industry. He delivered two keynote presentations: “The Psychology of Performance” and “Designing the Equine Tourist Experience,” and led a live demonstration on herd dynamics and sensory mapping.[16][17]


Media and digital initiatives

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He co-produces the digital series "Beyond the Hoof", including the Destination Hope initiative, which features equine-assisted nonprofit work.[18] He also appears on podcasts such as *Canter Therapy with Dr. Shelley Appleton.[19] [20]

Educational Programs

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Thomas is the founder of the Institute for Advanced Equine Studies and leads the online “Ask Kerry” webinar series for riders, trainers, and therapists worldwide.[21][22]

Media coverage

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Thomas has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including:

  • The Wall Street Journal
  • BloodHorse
  • Sports Illustrated
  • Paulick Report [23]
  • FanDuel Racing [24]
  • Keynote speaker at the 2025 Horse Economic Forum in Portugal [25][26]
  • June 2024 issue of Chadds Ford Neighbors magazine [27]

Publications

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  • Horse Profiling: The Secret to Motivating Equine Athletes (2012)
  • Herd Wired: In Pursuit of Discovery (expected 2025)
  • The Connected Horse Series (12-volume field companion)
  • The Caregiver’s Handbook: A Journey of Love, Pain and Compassion (expected 2026)
  • Fiction: Images in the Mist, Prophet Mind, and King and Whiskers (expected 2026)

Personal Life

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Thomas lives in West Grove, Pennsylvania. He is married to Daphne Thomas, a designer[28] and children’s book author.[29] Together, they operate Sensory Soundness and Beyond The Hoof Bookworks, a publishing and education platform.[30][31]

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References

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  1. ^ Kambhampati, Shruti (April 30, 2015). "Before the Kentucky Derby, a Horse 'Detective' Rates Herd Mentality". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  2. ^ Finley, Frank (April 25, 2012). "Thomas Profile Reveals True Contenders". BloodHorse. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  3. ^ Oppenheim, Bill (February 26, 2023). "What the World's Greatest Horses Had in Common". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  4. ^ "About Kerry M. Thomas". KerryThomas.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  5. ^ "Understanding the Equine Athlete Beyond the Physical". Past The Wire. February 26, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  6. ^ "Kerry Thomas Explores How Herd Dynamics Impact Training". East Coast Equestrian News. April 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  7. ^ "Why Kerry?". KerryThomas.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  8. ^ "Profiling Emotional Conformation: Kerry Thomas on Equine Behavior". Paulick Report. April 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  9. ^ "TSB Author of HORSE PROFILING Names Kentucky Derby Winner in Pre-Race Analysis". Horse and Rider Books. May 6, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  10. ^ Thomas, Kerry M.; Calvin L. Carter (2012). Horse Profiling: The Secret to Motivating Equine Athletes. Trafalgar Square Books. ISBN 9781570765087.
  11. ^ "Why Kerry?". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  12. ^ "TSB Author of HORSE PROFILING Names Kentucky Derby Winner in Pre-Race Analysis". Horse and Rider Books. May 6, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  13. ^ Thomas, Kerry M.; Calvin L. Carter (2012). Horse Profiling: The Secret to Motivating Equine Athletes. Trafalgar Square Books. ISBN 9781570765087.
  14. ^ "Why Kerry?". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  15. ^ Trafalgar Square Books Staff (2012-01-01). "Great New Review for HORSE PROFILING by Kerry Thomas and Calvin Carter". Trafalgar Square Books. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  16. ^ "II Horse Economic Forum: HEF 2025 Program in Alter do Chão". Equisport. June 18, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  17. ^ "Alter recebe 2.ª edição do Horse Economic Forum". Jornal Alto Alentejo. June 23, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  18. ^ "Destination Hope Project". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  19. ^ "Podcasts". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  20. ^ "41: Herd Dynamics with Kerry Thomas Part 3". Canter Therapy. July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  21. ^ "Ask Kerry – Video Library". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  22. ^ "Education". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  23. ^ "Profiling Emotional Conformation: Kerry Thomas on Equine Behavior". Paulick Report. April 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  24. ^ "FanDuel TV: Kerry Thomas on Derby Contenders". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  25. ^ "Horse Economic Forum: Speakers". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  26. ^ "Kerry Thomas – Horse Economic Forum 2025 (Livestream)". YouTube. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  27. ^ "Horse Behaviorist Kerry Thomas". Chadds Ford Neighbors. June 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  28. ^ "Design by Daphne – Interior Design & Creative Direction". DesignByDaphne.com. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  29. ^ "The Day I Fooled Dad by Daphne Thomas". Amazon. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  30. ^ "About". Sensory Soundness. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  31. ^ Riley, Heather (June 2024). "Community Spotlight: Daphne and Kerry Thomas". Chadds Ford Neighbors. Best Version Media. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
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