Dark Horse Therapeutics

05/30/2026

STIFLE SAFETY

I originally shared this in my Gueriniere’s Square group, but I thought it might be relevant to share here, as well, since I’ve gotten a lot of questions and concerns about classical work that is safe for stifles.

I discourage any work that attempts to heavily load the hind limb while the hind joints remain relatively extended.

For instance, driving the hind legs forward at too quick a tempo to force tracking up or overtracking without sufficient pelvic engagement can result in the hind limb landing with the tibia positioned too far in front of the vertical and the hock and stifle relatively extended while accepting load.

Similar extended-joint loading can also occur during downhill work, or with any exercises that over-immobilize the hindquarters or attempt to mechanically shift weight from front to back before the hind limb has folded sufficiently underneath the body. This can include front-to-back thoracic sling work, front-to-back school halt, and front-to-back bilateral or diagonal weight shifts.

It can be much safer to attempt these from back-to-front, allowing the stifle and hind limb to fold underneath the horse, while engaging the correct muscle groups (longissimus bridge/gluteo-pelvic fulcrum), rather than the muscle groups that pull the horse back with tension, which, in my experience, is often associated with soreness through the thoracic sling and lumbar region.

I’m also cautious with lateral work where the outside hind limb lands excessively far from the body, because this may increase loading on the stifle while the limb is relatively extended and abducted.

So I’m cautious with side passing, four track shoulder-in, and full hindquarter mobilizations around a fixed point/Giravolta, unless performed at a very shallow angle.

For shoulder-in, the fence can help keep the outside hind contained (Gueriniere’s genius adaption of Newcastle’s shoulder-in on the circle).

On a square or circle, counter shoulder-in can be a better option, because the line of travel and centrifugal force tends to direct that hind closer toward the midline.

One advantage of the square is that it tends to encourage the inside hind limb to fold before loading, while the forward line of travel through the corner helps direct the outside hind forward instead of laterally.

Renvers is often well tolerated even in comparison to shoulder-in, because the bend tends to contain the abducting hind limb and direct it forward, rather than laterally away from the center of mass.
Something to look out for is renvers pirouettes with insufficient bend or excessive angle, where the forelimb is not adducting, resulting in mechanics similar to the Giravolta.

The Diagonal Motor Pattern Assessment is one of the lowest-risk exercises I’ve found, because the horse regulates the workload, because we aren’t dictating how much they’re driving or angling.

I also feel that Gueriniere’s ‘Passing Through the Corners’ is one of the best ways to safely influence diagonal balance from back-to-front.

Almost no one teaches corners this way anymore, and it’s a great way to introduce diagonal balance and hind limb folding just a singular step at a time.

To simplify…

Excessive speed, extension, and abduction can increase stifle strain, while controlled tempo, flexion, and adduction can provide a safer environment for strengthening.

If your horse is getting sore in the shoulders, the lumbar, the stifles, it may be time to return to time -tested classical work, including lateral work that folds the hindlimbs. Straight work alone, if the hindlimbs are braced, can continue to exacerbate these issues.

And one of the things that I’m really stressing in my Gueriniere Square Workshop is the importance of interval work… his square variations create interval training naturally!

We’ve seen some amazing changes in hock and stifle tensegrity and stabilization after just a few weeks in the workshop, by using simple, time-tested classical work that encourages controlled tempo, flexion, and adduction, with intervals and workload determined by the horse.

As always, any horse with known or suspected stifle pathology should be evaluated by a veterinarian, and any rehabilitation program should be undertaken with veterinary guidance.

If progress plateaus, lameness develops, or negative changes are observed, seek appropriate diagnostics before continuing training.

Below:

A horse stressing the stifle in canter, vs folding the hind leg better in canter.

Stressing the stifle in a rear, vs a classically trained, ‘folded’ levade.

Forcing weight front-to-back onto unfolded hinds, and an overextended hindlimb ‘tracking up,’ with the tibia in front of the vertical.

Classical Stifle Rehab…
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Sa5WNi2q/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/12/2026

05/11/2026

Come with me for a trail ride in the fairy forest with big Gus! We had a wonderful adventure. I love seeing the trees fully leafed again, the green is stunning.

🌳 🌷🌿🌻🍃🌸🌲

Thank you Gus for the safe relaxing ride, you’re one in a million. 💙🐴

03/08/2026

Slowly, gently
Dreaming and scheming
Spring is waking reviving reimagining
A new beginning 🌱🌷

Blankets off! First rides after snow melt! Still have cold days ahead and plenty of sloppy wet footing to look forward to. But spring is coming, and we’re so happy to see her. 🌷🌱

02/07/2026

Dear Horse Teachers (from a speech therapist):

I’ve had a couple folks reach out recently interested in my work because they have horsie people in their lives with communication challenges. Here are some general ideas that anybody can think about when teaching riding and horsemanship to someone who might communicate in a different way.

1. Say less

This might sound weird coming from a speech therapist, but one thing I immediately notice from parents / teachers / caregivers / friends of an individual with a communication disorder is they talk too much. When we notice a lack of words, we feel uncomfortable and tend to want to fill the space. Someone with trouble expressing themselves might have something to say; it could just take longer to say it. Or, maybe I have something to say, but its hard to get it out, so I get comfy allowing others to fill the space. Make space for these voices in your barns and arenas. Literally count to 5 or 10 in your head before asking a question or adding another comment. It will feel like forever in awkward silence but I promise: you want to hear what they have to say.

2. Routines foster independence

How many mini steps are involved in catching grooming and tacking a horse to get ready to ride? Build routines into your lesson structure that minimize the need to ask questions or request assistance. Post steps and reminders in visual format to reduce reliance and over-helping. Do the same get ready and put away routine every time so that the expectations are in place and we can challenge ourselves with new information at other times in the lesson (like the riding part!).

3. Let the horses do the motivating

I’ve seen some beautiful healing and therapeutic interactions between horses and humans in my time offering equine-assisted therapy. That’s how I know its important not to force it. Often we have this idea that horses are going to be a magic element and the nonspeaking child will “suddenly talk” on the back of a horse… and maybe that could happen! But probably, like anything truly therapeutic, progress will happen steadily over time. I know that horses aren’t motivating for everyone, and this is especially important to be aware of when working with people with communication disabilities. Just because my mom thinks I look cute on the pony, doesn’t mean it feels good for my body. The magical effect of horses (at least for certain, er, -special- horse-crazy people like us) is that they keep us coming back, every day, every week, showing up in calm presence. Humans can harness (no pun intended) this interest in students, but interaction with horses has to be intrinsically motivating for the learning to work.

I’d love to hear any strategies or tips from others teaching riding and horsemanship with students with communication differences. I hope mine are helpful and spark some ideas. Happy horsing!

12/30/2025

So sweet 🥲

Something which tells me a great deal about the kind of people I get to teach and support is how many of them have, 'The Very Best Horse In The World'.

I find myself smiling and biting my tongue when the 5th person of the day says to me, 'The thing with Blossom is that she really is more intelligent than most other horses'.

Or, 'I don't think you'll ever meet a horse who gives us much as Jigsaw'.

And points out repeatedly, 'I know other people think their horse is the best looking, but you'll really never see another horse as lovely as Sugarpuff'.

What I particularly enjoy is how vehemently people tell me this about an old, brown, slightly tattered around the edges pony. Or a creaky ex-racehorse. Or a cob of no known origin.

A good friend and student recently wrote about her mare, 'When I count my blessings, I count her twice'. And even just typing this now makes me weepy.

And the truth is it is very rare to meet a horse or pony I don't like a great deal. And who isn't - in a good light with a kind cameraperson - the best looking horse you'll ever see.

I mean, none of them are - The Very Best Horse In the World - because fortunately for me, I managed to acquire all of those.

But the rest are pretty good runners up.