THOMAS TOMASONI

Horse training and handling are challenging occupations for either a man or a woman. However, Italian Thomas Tomasoni seems unfazed. Horses are so dear to him that he spends twenty-four hours with them every day. Thomas runs his own Arabian Training Center in Les Mans, about an hour and a half from Paris. 1. Hello Thomas. Thank you very much for accepting the invitation! To provide some background to our readers, could you tell us a bit about yourself, your family and your education? 1. Hello, AHM! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! I grew up in a small town near the cities of Brescia and Milan. As a child, I grew up in a family that worked in agriculture, so my early education was rooted in the love of nature and animals. 2. How and when did this passion for Arabian horses begin? Tell us about your first steps in the Arabian Horse industry... 2. Before I was born, my father was already passionate about horses. He used to raise Arabian horses. During the early 1990s, he presented our horses at some shows in Europe when handlers were relatively unknown. I have wonderful memories of being 3 years old and sitting in the stands of the shows watching the horses parade. Eventually, my father bought Patacha HT, a Straight-Russian Arabian mare by Kilimandscharo (Aswan x Karta). This mare, who accompanied me throughout my childhood, led me to fall in love with the Arabian horse. For me, horses have always been more than just a passion or a lifestyle. Since I was a baby, this beautiful animal has been a part of me. 3. Thomas, have you developed a systematic program for handling Arabian horses at your Training Centre? Can you describe this program? How have your training/handling techniques evolved over the years? 3. In my Training Center, I have a program that develops muscles and improves the aesthetic appearance of each horse. But the most important thing for us is to understand the needs of each specific horse. In order to achieve the best physical results, it is essential that the animal has confidence in us and is mentally happy! In this sector, there have always been different methods of working, but they all depend on how they are applied. In this sense, I do not think there is an evolution. The evolution relates mainly to nutrition, blacksmithing, and the use of machines for muscle work. 4. Is there a limit to what an Arabian horse can be taught through handling? Who was the strongest horse to train? 4. The Arabian horse is one of the most versatile breeds in the world due to its very proportionate physique and extraordinary intelligence. I have a metaphor for this...All horses are like fish, but the Arabian horse is like a dolphin! There is no doubt that Arabian horses have a lot of learning skills, it all depends on how much time is spent with them... There are different types of horses, but I cannot claim to have encountered a horse that has been more difficult to train than another. There are only horses with different sensitivities. 5. What, in your opinion, really defines a good Handler? What do you need to become a successful one? 5. In order to be considered a good handler, I think you need to know as much about the horse as possible. This means having a lot of experience and adapting to each horse's personality. There are several factors at play for the success of each handler, including the horse, the owner who trusts his horse with us, and the luck of being with the right horse at the right time. 6. Thomas, what are your thoughts on today's show environment? Do the most meritorious horses in terms of today's standards win at the shows? 6. There are many problems in the show environment today. This discussion could go on and on. The Arabian horse breed throughout the world is the subject of a very important debate, a very sensitive issue, and, therefore, there are several points of view to consider. My knowledge of morphology shows goes back 30 years. I would like for this sector to do its best to help, support and develop the Arabian horse at its best, based on the same respect for the breed, not for the business. Beauty is not what makes a horse the best today. There seems to be a lot of corruption in the system and I hope others notice it as well. 7. Which show have you been to as a Handler most recently? Was it in Europe or the Middle East? Tell us about it... 7. I recently performed for the Abu Dhabi AHC 2022 in the United Arab Emirates. The show was very well organized, with beautiful horses and very good quality! I enjoyed myself there a lot. 8. In which country did you experience a better quality of the organization of the shows? 8. All countries are very professional in organizing their shows, but of course, there is always room for improvement. 9. How and where do you see yourself in ten years? 9. By ten years from now, I hope that all the hard work I have put into Arabian horses will have helped the breed grow and develop, and I hope to continue this amazing journey that has allowed me to meet new people and benefit from my passion for Arabian horses. 10. Thomas, could you please leave a message to Arabian Horse Magazine readers? 10. Thanks to all AHM readers for taking the time to read this interview, and let's not forget that we do this job and this business to continue to develop the Arabian horse breed. Thank you so much to all the people behind this beautiful publication that shines a light on breeders, trainers, and passionate people from around the world. I look forward to meeting you all at the next show! Thank you so much, Thomas. May all your dreams come true!