In-Stride Chiropractic & Rehab

06/04/2026

This‼️

Radiographs or other imaging only present one piece to the puzzle, we have to take the whole picture into account when evaluating and deciding on appropriate treatment plans.

05/09/2026

A recent study from the University of Tennessee provided strong support for something trainers, movement specialists, and bodyworkers have observed for years:

Ground poles significantly increase activation of important postural and core muscles in horses.

What the Study Found

Walking over ground poles increased activity in:

• Longissimus dorsi — a major topline and spinal support muscle
• Abdominal muscles — critical for core stability and support of the spine

Even at the walk, poles require the horse to:

• Lift the limbs higher
• Stabilize the trunk more actively
• Organize posture and balance with greater precision
• Continuously adjust limb placement and timing

At the trot, researchers also found increased activation of the abdominal muscles.

Trotting over poles requires greater dynamic stabilization, and the increased limb elevation demands more coordinated control of the trunk, pelvis, and spine.

What This Means

These findings support the long-standing use of cavaletti and ground poles as a low-impact way to:

• Strengthen the topline
• Improve abdominal engagement
• Support spinal stability
• Enhance proprioception and coordination
• Encourage improved posture and self-carriage
• Develop better movement organization through the whole body

One of the most important aspects of pole work is that it influences both sides of the postural system:

• The dorsal chain — including the longissimus muscles along the back
• The ventral chain — including the abdominal support system

This balance is essential for efficient movement, force transfer, and development of a healthy, functional topline.

But pole work is not only muscular.

It is neurological.

Each pole creates a movement problem the horse must solve in real time.

The horse has to:

• Judge distance
• Adjust stride length
• Control timing
• Stabilize the trunk
• Organize the limbs in space
• Adapt moment-to-moment to changing demands

That process requires attention, coordination, body awareness, and ongoing nervous system regulation.

In many horses, poles appear to improve focus not simply because the horse is “behaving,” but because the nervous system is becoming more engaged and organized around the task.

Pole work may also influence neurological tone — the background level of muscular and nervous system readiness that affects posture, movement quality, stiffness, and coordination.

For some horses, this can help reduce excessive bracing and improve adaptability through the body.
For others, it can help improve postural engagement and overall organization.

Why It Matters

Regular pole work can benefit many types of horses:

• Young horses developing coordination and posture
• Performance horses improving strength, agility, movement quality, and limb awareness
• Horses rebuilding core control and stability after periods of weakness or reduced work
• Older horses maintaining mobility, coordination, and movement confidence

Importantly, many of these benefits occur even at the walk, making poles accessible to horses across a wide range of ages, disciplines, and fitness levels.

Rather than simply “making horses pick up their feet,” poles appear to challenge the nervous system, postural system, sensory system, and muscular system together — encouraging the horse to organize movement with greater control, awareness, and adaptability.

https://koperequine.com/step-by-step-the-benefits-of-walk-poles-for-horses/

04/24/2026

Also a discussion I have regularly with owners.

While injury rehab, preventative exercise programs, and general assessment/ treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is my jam, nutrition is Madeline’s! Be sure to reach out to her or give her a follow for some evidence-informed info regarding your horse’s nutrition!🩵

Most horse owners I work with want to feed a supplement for joint support. However, the research on oral joint supplements shows low efficacy.

This recent study is on the product Cosequin ASU which has the following active ingredients: 14.4 g of glucosamine hydrochloride, 10.0 g of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), 2.4 g of sodium chondroitin sulfate, 2.1 g of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), 0.56 g of Boswellia serrata extract, and 0.1 g of manganese, as purported active ingredients per every 32.4 g serving.

Currently, the evidence suggests that joint supplements may not be a worthwhile investment. Instead, I prefer to focus on a balanced diet, regular movement and the horse maintaining a healthy body condition.

Please note that this is an open access study if you'd like to read the full paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/16/8/1230?fbclid=IwY2xjawRTLtpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFpenU2RjJnN25xM2tjNmZQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiaF5Z2EBJSrP4pLMp28pzylhxeXQIyTWna1zlTujrKkB8g4FM5QM9K3dDiz_aem_RtSjtouJxqyWAd2lBj3SmQ

If you have questions about the joint supplement that your horse is on, feel free to reach out!

03/31/2026

This tends to stir people, so let’s add some depth to it.

Horses do not operate from human social concepts like “respect” or “dominance” in the way we define them. They are not trying to assert status, prove a point, or challenge authority.

They are responding to pressure, safety, clarity, and release.

When a horse moves away, yields, or complies, it is not a moral decision. It is a nervous system response.

Pressure is applied.
The body seeks relief.
The behaviour that brings release is repeated.

That is learning.

That does not make the human a “leader” in the way it is often portrayed. It means the human is controlling the conditions the horse is trying to resolve.

Now here is where it matters.

This does not mean all pressure is harmful.
It does not mean we should never influence a horse.
And it does not mean boundaries or safety do not matter.

But if we label compliance as “respect,” we stop asking better questions.

We stop noticing tension, shutdown and when the horse is participating… versus when the horse is simply coping.

Because outward behaviour can look the same while the internal experience is completely different.

A horse can stand quietly because they feel safe, regulated, and willing. Or they can stand quietly because they have learnt that resistance does not change the outcome.

Those are not the same thing.

When we move beyond the idea of dominance and start paying attention to the nervous system, everything shifts.

We become more precise with our timing. More aware of thresholds and more responsible for what we are creating in the horse’s body, not just what we are seeing on the surface.

And that is where partnership actually begins.

Not in control and not in compliance. But in a horse that can stay connected, responsive, and safe… without needing to brace, shut down, or push back.