Framework

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How does The Natural Connection INC define the framework for creating “The Whole Horse?” TNC framework can be described as the essential components that allow each individual horse the option and opportunity to participate in training. That’s right, the option. A horse starting the training process should already display all 3 of the components to framework in order for the process to be consensual. Components for framework:

1. Emotional availability 

2. Mental acuity 

3. Physical capability

Emotional availability relies heavily on the stability in the horse’s total environment.  Horses being prey animals naturally have the instinct to seek protection and safety within their herd.  But unfortunately, not every horse has the ability to live in a natural herd environment.  

So, a horse's emotional availability is directly related to:

• Immediate physical surroundings and what was it like? 

-Calm and relaxing vs. stressful and causing anxiety 

• Daily structure, was their consistency? 

     -Regular visits for horse care providing food, water and shelter 

       -Appropriate boundaries set by humans regarding all interactions 

• Socialization in the horse’s herd environment, was the horse:

-isolated 

-limited in turn out 

-limited in socialization 

-in a group turn out same age herd 

-in a group turn out same sex herd 

-in a group turn out mixed herd 

The horse will have a higher chance of success starting training if the horse is emotionally available, coming from quiet physical surroundings that provided ample socialization in a herd environment with regular daily structure when interacting with humans.

Mental acuity is thoughtfully monitored as the horse prepares for and starts engaging in training. Every horse learns at a different pace. And that pace can change throughout the training process. While in training, we note: 

• How quickly they learn 
• How much information they retain from one training session to the next 
• How they implement their own strategies to communicate with the human 

All of this information helps the trainer adjust the training lesson plan to appropriately match the horse’s interest and motivation to learn. 

A good trainer that monitors and adjusts to a horse’s level of mental acuity will be able to produce a happier horse because the groundwork and under-saddle skillsets should be appropriate for that specific horse at that specific time.

Physical capability is essential to start either the groundwork or under-saddle portions of foundational training. The bare minimum is that the horse must be physically capable of walk, trot and canter on the lungeline or in the roundpen. Because foundational groundwork does involve isolating body parts and a reasonable amount of repetition, a physically sound horse is a must. Gait abnormalities and horses with medical conditions that could affect their physical capability in the training process may be considered for the training program if the owner agrees to a more tailored and individualized training plan. However, if you have a horse that is not pasture sound, shows lameness or abnormalities in a walk, trot or canter in the roundpen or on a lungeline or has a known physical or medical limitation that could physically harm or be detrimental short or long-term, the horse will not be accepted into the training program.