JBK Show Horses

11/25/2025

WHY DOES MODERN HINDQUARTER DISENGAGEMENT DAMAGE THE STIFLES AND HOCKS… BUT CLASSICAL LATERAL WORK DOESN’T?

There was some great discussion going on in the comments of my lead-up post.
Definitely give that a read before I share my follow-up:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H58mS4Smz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

WHY DOES MODERN HINDQUARTER DISENGAGEMENT DAMAGE THE STIFLES AND HOCKS… BUT CLASSICAL LATERAL WORK DOESN’T?

To understand this, we first need to clarify which hindlimb is actually most often at risk in lateral work, and why…

This video offers a great visual of how the hind leg is designed to load slightly under the horse’s midline (though not necessarily across it), very similar to how the stepping-under, trailing hind functions during classical lateral work:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17KVAYkgqD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In comparison, the leading hind is most often the one at risk…

DISENGAGEMENT & THE LEADING LEG
Modern lateral work, especially the extreme hindquarter disengagement common in some natural horsemanship programs, often asks the horse to travel so far sideways that the leading hind leg abducts unnaturally, swinging clear out away from the horse’s body.

Upon impact, this loads the joints at an angle, and when the horse moves laterally across that planted limb, there’s a lot of twisting and torque, as illustrated in Denoix’s diagram below.

Over time, this places chronic strain on the stifle and hock, which, unlike the coxofemoral hip joint that initiates the swing, are hinge joints.

We can also see negative effects down into the fetlock and coffin joints and surrounding soft tissues (like the collateral ligaments) that have to support this unnatural movement.

The risk compounds when this is done…
• At speed,
• Repeatedly, or
• With green, weak, or physically immature horses.

As a c**t starter, I still use hindquarter disengagement and hindquarter mobilizations as elementary communication tools, but I advance out of that as soon as possible, because I believe it’s not biomechanically sustainable.

As well, I believe that repeated disengagement can keep horses from progressing in their emotional regulation and relaxation, because they feel unbalanced and unsafe.

SIDEWAYS vs ROTATIONAL
Let’s look at another difference between modern lateral work and classical lateral work…

Take shoulder-in, for example.

Classical shoulder-in is not a 2-D, sideways exercise.

It’s a 3-D, rotational exercise, as illustrated by Heuschman’s drawing below.

When organized back to front, there is a cascade effect on the pelvis on three different axes…

The functional rotation of the pelvis on the vertical axis (yaw) that comes from correct bending protects the leading hindlimb, by allowing the coxofemoral joint to keep the joints in alignment with the line of travel.

And, because bend is always accompanied by vertebral rotation, this affects the longitudinal axis (roll), which is also affected by the pelvis being drawn under with the stepping-under limb…

Which in turn draws the pelvis under on the lateral axis (pitch), allowing all the hind joints to fold and load, rather than brace.

(I personally find this to promote emotional regulation and relaxation much better than a disengagement.)

This is how classical lateral work, works to protect the joints and begin to engage, rather than disengage.

Leading hindlimb trajectory is also why shoulder-fore, shoulder-in on a circle (Newcastle-style), or shoulder-in with the leading hind limited by a wall (Guérinière-style) is safer for most horses, until they can organize their pelvis correctly.

This is also why I prefer renvers through corners and on a circle, rather than straight line travers work, and is why the shoulders must lead in halfpass.

As well, when we ride lateral maneuvers as 2-D, sideways exercises, rather than 3-D, rotational exercises, with the horse ‘pulling’ themselves along with the leading hind, rather than pushing themselves with the stepping-under hind, I believe that has an effect on the lumbo-sacro-iliac system that causes ‘guarding’ or pain in these areas, but that’s a different post for a different time.

SUSPENSION IN ADVANCED WORK
On the subject of pushing vs pulling, in advanced lateral work in trot and canter, the greatest amount of lateral travel occurs during the suspension phase created by the stepping-under limb, with load and breakover occurring during a minimal support phase on the leading limb.

Meaning lateral work in suspensioned trot and canter potentially presents less risk than lateral work in walk.

In walk, there is no suspension, so it becomes even more important that lateral work must be careful and purposeful.

OBSERVATIONS…
In my years of farrier work, I saw an obvious association of increasing amounts of stifle and hock dysfunction in horses who were in ‘disengagement-focused’ natural horsemanship programs. It was heart-breaking.

But guess where else I see issues?

Programs that refuse to do any lateral work at all.

Programs where ‘forward at all costs’ loads braced joints at speed.

Some of us have grown wary of lateral work, and rightfully so, but without the ability to fold the joints and address how that influences balance, straightness-focused programs will encounter dysfunction as well.

More recently, I’m seeing issues in programs that focus only on the front end- thoracic sling, shoulders, etc.- and attempt to transfer weight to hind limbs and joints that again, are fixed, rather than folding.

This creates a ‘Push-Me-Pull-You’ effect over the bridge of the back that’s making for some pretty unhappy horses.

WHY CLASSICAL WORK ENDURES
Exploring and embracing more and more into classical work, I’m understanding more and more why it’s stood the test of time…

Because when we protect the joints through balanced, tempoed straight lines and circles, and develop progressive pelvic function and limb folding through careful, purposeful lateral work, rather than seeing it as sideways work, we protect and develop what is otherwise damaged by straight line hammering and sideways clamboring.

Add your thoughts and observations below!

PHOTOS:
Disengagement as a purposeful but temporary safety measure with a young horse. The Calvary stop is a great alternative, as well.

Showing the effect classical lateral work can have on the function and posture of the hind limb, after just a few months. In renvers pirouette, notice the limb is not crossing the midline, but folding and advancing forward to the diagonal shoulder, drawing the pelvis under along with it.

Heuschmann

Denoix

11/25/2025

Remembering Roy Rogers: America’s Cowboy King 🤠

Remember Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye on November 5, 1911? Over a century later, his name still echoes across dusty trails and silver screens. Known as the “King of the Cowboys,” Roy wasn’t just an actor; he was a symbol of hope, honesty, and the adventurous spirit of the American West.

Before fame, Roy grew up in Ohio, singing with his family and performing on local radio. His natural charm and golden voice carried him from small-town stages to Hollywood, where he became the face of countless Westerns. With his trusted horse Trigger by his side, Roy brought heroism and warmth to audiences during the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, making cowboys approachable, honorable, and beloved.

Roy’s influence extended beyond film. He was a singer, a television star, and a cultural icon whose wholesome values inspired generations of fans. His signature smile, steadfast courage, and quick draw weren’t just entertainment; they were lessons in integrity, resilience, and loyalty.

Remember him not only as the “King of the Cowboys,” but as a man who brought joy, music, and courage to millions. Even decades after his passing on July 5, 1998, at age 86, Roy Rogers remains a guiding light in the mythology of the American West, a reminder of simpler times, true heroism, and the enduring magic of a cowboy on screen.

11/25/2025

11/24/2025

𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

With the outbreak of EHV‑1 cases on the rise, we want to help you keep your horses as safe as possible when hauling.

For disinfecting the inside of your trailer, we recommend using 𝐂𝐡𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞. It’s effective and safe for aluminum. We do not recommend using bleach, as it can react with aluminum and may cause staining or damage.

Chlorhexidine can be found at most farm supply stores or online. Simply mix with water in a spray bottle and apply to interior surfaces.

If you ever have questions about caring for your Cimarron, we’re here to help. Stay safe!

11/24/2025

He carried his dying wife 270 miles through the desert—and refused to let death win.
The soldiers at Fort Bliss, Texas, watched a figure emerge from the shimmering heat—a man more skeleton than flesh, staggering forward with a woman cradled in his arms. Samuel's boots had disintegrated days ago. His feet left bloody prints in the sand. But Mary's heart still beat against his chest, and that was enough reason to take one more step.
Nine days earlier, they had been stranded when their wagon broke down in the Chihuahuan Desert. No water. No shelter. Just endless sun and sand stretching to every horizon. Most men would have made a choice—save themselves or die together. Samuel chose a third option: carry her out, or die trying.
He walked through temperatures that cracked the earth. He rationed the last drops of water, giving them all to Mary while his own throat turned to sandpaper. When his legs gave out, he crawled. When he couldn't crawl, he waited until sunrise gave him strength for ten more miles. The math was brutal—thirty miles per day across terrain that killed seasoned travelers. But love doesn't negotiate with impossible odds.
When he finally collapsed inside the fort's gates, Mary still breathing in his arms, the soldiers stood frozen. They had seen war. They had seen death. But they had never seen anything like this—a man who had literally refused to die until the woman he loved was safe.
The fort surgeon examined them both and shook his head in disbelief. Samuel's body was shutting down—kidneys failing, skin burned beyond recognition, feet destroyed. Yet he had walked farther in nine days than most people travel in a month. "How?" the surgeon asked. Samuel's answer was simple: "I promised her forever. Forever doesn't end in the desert."
Three weeks later, when they could both finally stand, soldiers gathered to hear Mary speak. Her voice was soft, but her words carried through the barracks: "People will tell you that love is a feeling—something that fades when life gets hard. But real love is a decision you make every single day. Samuel made that decision 270 miles, one bloody step at a time. That's not romance. That's revolution."
The story spread beyond Fort Bliss, carried by soldiers who wrote it in letters home, who told it around campfires, who passed it down through generations. It became a legend—not because it was impossible, but because one man proved it wasn't.
War destroys many things. Time erases even more. But there are some forces stronger than both—and Samuel and Mary walked through hell itself to prove it.

11/23/2025

👋🏼

11/23/2025

Remembering Clayton Moore — The Lone Ranger, Forever 🤠🐎

Hi-Yo Silver… Away!**

Clayton Moore didn’t just play the Lone Ranger —
to millions of Americans, he became him.

Behind the mask was a man of quiet honor, old-fashioned decency, and a deep belief that heroes still mattered. From 1949 to 1957, alongside his magnificent white stallion Silver, Moore brought justice, courage, and integrity into living rooms across America.

Kids didn’t see an actor.
They saw a legend.

With that iconic mask, the booming voice, and the unmistakable cry—
“Hi-Yo Silver, away!”
—Clayton Moore turned the Lone Ranger into one of the most beloved heroes in television history.

And when the cameras stopped?
He still lived the part.

Moore visited children’s hospitals, charity events, and schools, never charging a penny. He refused to tarnish the Ranger’s image, always believing the character should stand for truth, fairness, and hope.

He once said:
“I believe the Ranger represents the best in all of us.”

Clayton Moore passed away in 1999, but his legend never did.
Today, the white hat, the black mask, and the thunder of hoofbeats still echo in the hearts of fans.

A true gentleman.
A true hero.
The Lone Ranger, now and always.

R.I.P. Clayton Moore 🤠
R.I.P. Silver 🐎
Thanks for the ride, pardner.

11/23/2025

❤️❤️❤️

Known as "the world's colored champion" in "death-defying feats of courage and skill," Bill Pickett was one of the first Black cowboys to make a name for himself as a rodeo sensation.

He even invented bulldogging — a brazen method of subduing a steer by biting its upper lip — after watching herder dogs do the same thing to calm the animals down on a ranch. By the late 1880s, Pickett was performing this daring stunt at local rodeos, where the crowds went absolutely wild. Before long, he was wowing audiences not only in the American West but also in Europe and South America. What's more, Pickett also began to appear in Western films, one of the first Black cowboys to do so.

Find out more about Bill Pickett:

Story below ⬇️

11/23/2025

This is whats called an “Outrider” they es**rt the race horses at the races. This 4yr old filly broke away at the start gate dumping her jockey, the outrider accelerated and caught the filly before she could harm herself or others. The Outrider is mounted on a Quarter Horse, a horse with the fastest explosion of speed over a quarter mile !

11/23/2025

She was 19 when five armed men surrounded her on a desert road. They expected fear. Instead, they met the woman who would redefine courage in the Old West—and ride away untouched.
September 1879. The sun hung low over the Arizona Territory, painting the desert in shades of copper and gold. Catherine "Kit" Morrison had been riding alone for three days, heading toward a fresh start in Tucson. She carried everything she owned in two saddlebags: a change of clothes, her father's pocket watch, and a skill he'd taught her that would save her life.
Her father had been a Union sharpshooter who believed his daughter deserved the same training as any son. By fifteen, Kit could outshoot most men in her county. By seventeen, she understood that survival wasn't about strength—it was about strategy, nerve, and the courage to act when others froze.
That September evening, five drifters spotted her lone figure against the fading light. They saw an opportunity. A young woman. Alone. Vulnerable.
They were wrong on all counts.
As they circled her horse, blocking the narrow canyon pass, their leader—a scarred man with tobacco-stained teeth—made his intentions clear. They wanted her supplies. Her horse. And they had darker plans for the hours ahead.
Kit's heart hammered, but her hands remained steady on the reins. She'd learned from her father that panic was deadlier than any bullet. She counted the men. Assessed their positions. Calculated her options.
"Gentlemen," she said, her voice calm as morning water, "you're making a mistake."
They laughed. That was their first error.
In one fluid motion, Kit reached into her coat and drew a C**t revolver her father had customized for her smaller hands. Before the men could process what was happening, she fired a shot that sent the leader's hat spinning into the dust—without touching a hair on his head.
"The next one won't miss," she said. "Unless you prefer it does."
The laughter died. One man reached for his weapon, but Kit had already aimed at the ground between his horse's hooves. The shot sent the animal rearing, throwing its rider into the dirt.
"I can do this all day," Kit said, her voice harder than the desert stone. "I have six bullets. There are five of you. The mathematics aren't in your favor."
For a frozen moment, no one moved. Then the leader's eyes flickered with understanding: this wasn't a frightened girl. This was someone who'd been trained, someone who wouldn't hesitate, someone who'd already decided she'd rather die fighting than surrender.
"Let her pass," he muttered, pulling his horse aside.
One by one, the others followed. Kit rode through their midst, her gun still raised, her eyes never leaving them until she'd cleared the canyon and the sun had fully set behind her.
She didn't ride into Tucson that night. Instead, she made camp in the hills, building a small fire and sitting watch until dawn. When she finally reached town two days later, she told no one what had happened. She didn't need to prove anything. She didn't need recognition or revenge.
She simply needed to keep moving forward.
Over the years, stories began to surface about a young woman who'd faced down outlaws in the Arizona desert. Some said she was a myth. Others claimed they'd seen her years later, working as a ranch manager, teaching other women to shoot. A few swore she became a territorial guard, protecting mail coaches through dangerous passes.
But Kit Morrison never confirmed or denied any of it. She lived quietly, worked honestly, and carried her father's lessons with her: courage isn't the absence of fear—it's the refusal to let fear make your decisions.
The truth is simple: Catherine Morrison survived not because she was fearless, but because she was prepared. She understood that true strength isn't about dominating others—it's about refusing to be dominated.
She chose vigilance over victimhood.
She chose preparedness over panic.
And that is why her story still matters today. Because courage isn't about never being afraid. It's about being afraid and acting anyway. It's about standing your ground when the world tells you to fall. It's about knowing your worth and defending it.
The girl who faced five armed men and rode away untouched—not through luck, but through skill, nerve, and the unshakeable belief that she deserved to be free.
Catherine "Kit" Morrison, 1860–unknown.
Survivor of the Canyon Pass. Daughter of a sharpshooter. The woman who proved that the only permission you need to save yourself is your own.

11/23/2025