Whole-istic Horses - The Natural Connection and Ms. Jean

12/15/2024

A short video showing Caspian’s progress

09/17/2024

REMEMBERING MY MO-MO
(Moneigh Moproblems, a unique son of Uncle Mo) 2014-2024

Dear faithful followers and friends of The Natural Connection INC,

This is a post I never thought I would write. But here it is.

I said goodbye to my Mo-Mo on Monday morning in a local veterinarian's hospital. There were no options available to him, other than euthanasia, as he had experienced a torsion colic and there was no turning back.

So instead of crying more about recapping one of the most difficult nights of my life, I choose to cry about the incredible life this horse had with me.

I have owned over 70 horses in my lifetime, and only one horse chose me to be his own. That was Mo-Mo.

Mo and I started our journey together in 2019, when I adopted him from Margaux Farm in KY. He was to be my 2020 Thoroughbred Makeover partner. As it turns out, he became my 2021 Mega-Makeover partner, due to the delay in the competition due to COVID.

During his first two years with me, I noticed this horse was very special. He was engaging, he absolutely loved being around humans, he loved to learn and he loved me. That's what I realized, this horse loved me as much as I loved him. And so, instead of listing him for sale at the Makeover, I decided to keep him as my personal horse. I don't regret that decision for even a moment.

Without boring you with details, I can share that Mo-Mo had a huge personality, he towered over my ranch horses, standing at 16.3 hands and he could really cover some country on those long lanky legs.

Mo was the ultimate partner. We did:

-Trail riding
-Trick training
-Dressage from Intro - First Level
-Jumper clinics up to 2'9
-Freestyle performance at the Makeover, placing 6th
-Working ranch and versatility
-Obstacle training
-Cattle drives
-Ranch roping

WHAT AN AMAZING HORSE. I know our time together was short, but those 6 years were amazing, all because of him and the connection we had together.

He also was unique in that 100's and 100's of people had the opportunity to meet him when we were located at the Marriott Ranch when he was my primary horse for taking trails out with the public.

So, to all of you that had the pleasure of meeting Mo-Mo, please know he had a wonderful life, from the day I adopted him, until his very last breath on earth. He now runs free with the rest of my horses up in heaven.

I miss you Mo-Mo, and will love you forever. You made me a better horseman and human being, and for that, I am grateful. I know many others will miss you too buddy.

08/26/2024

6 year old, 16 hand, dapple grey OTTB, Caspian, is looking for his Dressage and trail riding partner!

This flashy little fella with a dainty build has so much to offer. He has been extensively trained on trails, excellent in the lead and very willing to follow. He has moved cattle out in fields and is now starting his arena work. He was recently introduced to working on contact and seems to thrive with feeling connection from his rider. Walk, trot and currently learning canter leads.

Owner heading off to a 4 year college soon so is looking for someone that will continue training him to be the amazing horse he is bound to become.

Trailers, ties, great for farrier and vet. Up to date on Coggins, Core EQ and Flu/Rhino. Free delivery if within 2 hours, one way, of 22639.

Please private message or email [email protected] for price and to set up a time to try this stunning fella.

08/26/2024

Handsome 4 year old, unraced thoroughbred, 16.2 hand bay gelding ready for a loving home!

Baby Dylan has been working under-saddle since the beginning of June and has been a pleasure every step of the way.

He can walk, trot and canter, is learning his leads, and is the most brave on the trail. He will happily lead or follow. Crosses streams and is a real thinker when faced with a challenge.

This sweet boy is best suited for a lower level trail, lesson and recreational riding home, as his right hind drags a little in the arena.

Super hooves, great for farrier and vet. Ties and trailers. Dylan loves bath time so much that he sticks his forehead in the center of the hose to get a full head shower!

Has current Coggins, Core EQ, Flu/Rhino. Free delivery if within 2 hours, one way, of 22639.

Please private message or email [email protected] for price and to set up a time to see this sweetheart.

08/26/2024

Beautiful 4 year old, 16.1 hand OTTB, never in a race, but trained on the track. (Mother was over 17 hands so she may still grow a bit taller.)

This lovely dapple grey baby has been started well with groundwork and has been doing so well under-saddle recently, very green but very willing. She is ready for someone to make her into something special, so definitely come try her if you are a trainer or intermediate rider with trainer.

She is willing, yet calm, a great combination for a young mare.

Stands great for farrier and vet. Learning to load trailer and go on trails this week. Currently using tie ring in barn and does well by herself. Has up to date Coggins, and Core EQ and can be delivered for free if within 2 hours, one way, of 22639.

Great hooves and beautiful body. Downhill build so best suited for trails, obstacle work, and possibly low level hunters, not a mid or upper level prospect.

Please private message or email [email protected] for price and setting up a date to see this special girl.

08/24/2024

“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.” – Henry David Thoreau

Have a wonderful evening!!
"𝑻𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘'𝒔 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔" 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒎 𝑪𝒐𝒙

08/23/2024

The Natural Connection INC has finally settled in at the new farm.

But before I start providing updates on the new facility, it’s important to thank the public, our loyal followers, friends, families, and supporters for ALL your help during the big transition and move.🙏

Dozens of incredible horses in the trail riding program needed to be rehomed, sold or moved. 🐎

Thanks to EVERYONE that shared my post months ago, I am so pleased to share that 16 horses found fantastic homes. I have continued to receive occasional updates from the new owners sharing their love of their new equine partners. ❤️

And I also thought it was important to share with everyone the absolute toughest decision that I made during the transition. There were 4 horses that I decided were not appropriate to “rehome” or “give away” as a “companion only.” These 4 senior citizens were aged, with medical issues that were not appropriate to hand off to other humans. The medical issues for each had the high potential to prevent them from making a smooth and comfortable transition to a new home. So, my incredible Wrangler family joined me on “the very sad and emotional day” as the veterinarian sent them over the rainbow bridge.🌈

That said, thank you to you all.

We could not have made this move go so well without your help and support.

So this post is dedicated to the memories of the amazing horses of the TNC trail program, and the equally amazing people that have supported us along the way.

Enjoy the pictures!

❤️

Ms. Jean

08/03/2024

If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success. John D. Rockefeller

On this sweltering Friday in August, here is a cool picture to ease the summer heat.
"𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑻𝒐 𝑴𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑶𝒏" 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒎 𝑪𝒐𝒙

07/17/2024

Maya has started her training and is available for sale now or after she starts under-saddle training.

Maya is a 4 year old off the track thoroughbred from KY. She has had 2 years to grow up, has been in a wonderful mixed herd environment and has an eagerness to learn. She also LOVES being with a human.

She did have sesamoid injuries on the track so it's best to find her the best low-level home, for trail riding, obstacle training or basic work on the flat.

In just three 20 minute sessions, she was quiet and brave enough to walk in the trailer, then stood happily to eat hay and relax.

Hopping on her ba****ck proved to be quite unexciting, making me excited to see how awesome she will be under-saddle.

Maya is really friendly and kind and built nicely, although still a bit butt high in her young age.

She has a flowing movement in trot and could potentially do well in hunter on the flat work. She is brave crossing streams in her herd environment so she will most likely be great on trails as well. Will post updates once she starts under-saddle.

Priced to sell to the very best home that will develop her properly, but not in a rush. Her price will increase once she starts regular training, in order to find her the best home. This sweetheart is going to be a lovebug for her new human.

Please email [email protected] for videos.

Thanks for looking and feel free to share!

07/16/2024

🚩REHOMING COMPANION MARE!!

One more amazing mare needs a home!

This is Blaze! 100’s of people that came to the ranch in the last 10 years were lucky enough to ride this sweet girl. She used to participate in cattle drives, private rides, trailered out for special event rides, boy and girl scout rides, and leadership seminars. She is a been there done that kinda gal.

She sustained a soft tissue injury out in the pasture last year, and is now fully retired.

So we are now in need of the best companion home for this beautiful girl.

15.1 hands, quarter horse draft cross, mid teens, pasture sound and NOT RIDEABLE, (so don’t ask), Good for farrier and vet.

Has current coggins and CORE EQ and will be delivered for free within 2 hours of Linden. VA.

PLEASE SHARE and if you know someone that can give this special girl the best retirement, please email at:

[email protected]

07/09/2024

07/05/2024

This…

It’s disheartening and unbelievable to listen to people blame their horses for anything and everything that goes wrong.

06/22/2024

We need your help getting these wonderful trail horses into homes!!

As everyone knows, TNC is closing the doors to trail riding and officially closes in mid July.

We have 8 horses still looking for great homes. These horses are for sale, they are not give-aways, not jumping horses, not one size fits all regarding their abilities and definitely ARE full of life and love.

If you are looking for a companion horse, we have one gorgeous mare looking to be a babysitter or someone's buddy, as she cannot be ridden anymore.

The other eight are available for sale and range from beginner friendly to intermediate rider or trainer only regarding the best suited riders for each individual.

These are horses that dedicated their lives to providing the public with wonderful experiences so please share this post and help get them into some wonderful homes.

We have decreased from 34 horses to 21 in just 4 weeks, but we are getting down to the wire now.

Please email [email protected] to inquire about prices and scheduling a time to see these wonderful trail horses. Names of horses are in comments.

06/18/2024

❤️

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

"𝑳𝒂𝒛𝒚 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓" 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒎 𝑪𝒐𝒙

06/18/2024

This…

An entire industry has been created selling you the idea that there is a method to fix every problem.

What is extremely popular is a video for every problem, and for every fix there are three more problems created, for which there’s a method to fix too.

I get asked nearly daily to create a video about specific problems (I saw your video on trailer loading, but what about loading a chestnut mare into an Adam trailer?). These can be helpful to see, but the mentality over time has shifted into specifics instead of looking at the big picture.

Good, all encompassing horsemanship creates a foundation wherein problems melt away holistically. If you understand how all things connect, you stop seeing things individually, but as a whole. You have to fix the whole and stop looking for quick solutions.

Teaching people to be actual horsemen, to stop looking for quick tips and tricks, to start seeing the whole and the connection of all things, means rewiring our minds from conditioning and marketing over the past decades.

So if you have a problem, it isn’t living in isolation. It’s part of a whole picture. And you have to look at, and feed the whole, for the symptoms to melt away.