11/23/2025
Before you put your horse on a foam pad, here’s what you need to know:
You have probably seen them popping up in rehab programs, groundwork sessions, or social media clips: horses standing on foam pads in simple or complex configurations.
So… what are balance pads? And are they worth using?
Balance pads are soft, unstable surfaces — often made of dense foam — that challenge a horse’s postural control when they stand on them. They come in different shapes and firmness levels, and they're typically used under one or more hooves for short periods of time.
💡 Why They Work
Balance pads create just enough instability to engage a horse’s deep postural and stabilizing muscles. When used thoughtfully, they can help:
🤸♀️Improve proprioception (body awareness)
🤸♀️Strengthen core and stabilizer muscles
🤸♀️Encourage weight-shifting and limb-loading awareness
🤸♀️Support balance and coordination in rehab or fitness programs
🤸♀️Increase parasympathetic nervous system tone (helping the horse relax)
It’s a simple tool — but when paired with good observation and handling, it can be incredibly effective.
🚫 What Balance Pads Are Not
Let’s be clear:
❌ They are not a magic fix for lameness or poor posture
❌ They won’t correct major asymmetries on their own
❌ They can’t replace movement, bodywork, or a proper training program
❌ They’re not suitable for every horse, every day — and using them incorrectly or expecting them to solve issues that needed deeper treatment can cause more harm than good
Balance pads are a tool in the toolbox, not a solution on their own.
🐎 When Might They Be Helpful?
Balance pads might be a good fit when:
✔️ You’re helping a horse recover from injury (with guidance from your vet or therapist)
✔️ You want to improve your horse’s proprioception in a low-impact way
✔️ You’re incorporating core stability and balance work into groundwork or postural training
✔️ You’re supporting an older or arthritic horse in gently activating underused muscles
✔️ You’re deepening your horse’s mind-body awareness in a calm, regulated state
Start slow. Use one pad at a time in the beginning. Watch for signs of fatigue, tension, or avoidance and allow the horse to step off the pads if they want to. Sessions might last just a few seconds to a few minutes — and that’s OK. Less is more when it comes to nervous system-based work.
✅ Takeaway:
Balance pads are a useful, affordable way to build postural strength, awareness, and calm focus — when used with intention and integrated into a bigger picture of thoughtful training and care.
As always: seek help from trained and qualified professionals before you think you need it and observe, adjust, and listen to your horse.
