05/30/2026
STIFLE SAFETY
I originally shared this in my Gueriniereโs Square group, but I thought it might be relevant to share here, as well, since Iโve 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.
Iโm 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 Iโm 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 (Gueriniereโs genius adaption of Newcastleโs 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 Iโve found, because the horse regulates the workload, because we arenโt dictating how much theyโre driving or angling.
I also feel that Gueriniereโs โPassing Through the Cornersโ is one of the best ways to safely influence diagonal balance from back-to-front.
Almost no one teaches corners this way anymore, and itโs a great way to introduce diagonal balance and hind limb folding just a singular step at a time.
To simplifyโฆ
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 Iโm really stressing in my Gueriniere Square Workshop is the importance of interval workโฆ his square variations create interval training naturally!
Weโve 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, โfoldedโ levade.
Forcing weight front-to-back onto unfolded hinds, and an overextended hindlimb โtracking up,โ with the tibia in front of the vertical.
Classical Stifle Rehabโฆ
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