Which positive effects can balance pads contribute to?

A balance pad is essentially an unstable underground that creates an imbalance and continually forces the horse to actively regain its balance. Numerous physiotherapists swear by training with balance pads and report possible positive effects such as:

• Improvement of balance and coordination
• Activation of the deep muscles & the proprioceptive system
• Better balance and more stability, e.g. with a positive effect on driving in a trailer or giving hooves
• Relaxation of muscles & release of tension
• Improved sure-footedness & better body awareness
• Strengthening the horse’s self-confidence
• Strengthening the bond between rider and horse through joint body and ground work

What exercises can I do?

You will quickly notice that this form of training is extremely intuitive and easy to use. No prior knowledge is required and the pads are designed to enable any user to train.

You should start with just one pad. Many horses usually find it easiest to start with the front, left hoof. Place the hoof carefully on the middle of the pad and give your horse time to put the hoof down and put weight on it. Then all you have to do is let your horse stay like that - this can be just a few minutes at first. You may notice your horse rocking slightly, twitching muscles and chewing.

Over time, you can increase the training time and add another pad, for example the front right hoof. You will quickly notice that your horse will let you know when it has had enough, for example by stepping off the pads.

After enough practice, you can try a higher level of difficulty by balancing on four pads at the same time or trying the so-called "cross combination". In this case, your horse does not stand on two pads parallel, but diagonally - for example, on the front left and the back right.

It is crucial that you increase the intensity and complexity gradually. This gives your horse enough time to move on to the next training levels well prepared and to continuously develop its skills, rather than risking overload.

Important: it is always advisable to create the training concept in collaboration with your physiotherapist, as each training should be adapted to the individual needs and training goals of your horse.

You can find further information in our manual and instructions for use .

How often and how long should my horse train on the pads?

Training frequency and duration are very individual. Your horse will usually show you what is suitable and of course this will change over time.

In general, beginners can start with 2-3 training sessions lasting a few minutes per week. Advanced horses can train up to daily and have their sessions last up to 20 minutes. Breaks are important for all training levels to allow your horse sufficient recovery.

If in doubt, you should always consult an expert to tailor your training to the individual needs of your horse .

At what age can I start this form of training with my horse?

Age alone is not the deciding factor, as the level of development can vary from horse to horse, even if they are the same age. Instead, you should make sure that your horse is fully grown and mentally and physically developed enough. It definitely helps if your horse already has the appropriate basic training and experience in ground work.

Ultimately, you know your horse best. As soon as you start training, you should carefully observe your horse's reactions and quickly get an idea of ​​whether it is time to start balance training. If there are signs of discomfort or constant refusal, you should put the pads aside for now. In principle, it is always advisable to seek the opinion of a horse therapist in case of doubt.

Are the Nørsholm pads suitable for all horses?

Yes - because it was our goal to develop a balance pad that can be used by as many horses as possible. That's why we made sure that factors such as hardness and size covered a comprehensive spectrum of horse breeds, weights, etc.

Can balance pads help my horse with health problems?

Many horse therapists have been using balance pads for various diagnoses or in general horse training for many years. However, due to a lack of alternatives, pads originially designed for humans were often used. It was important to us to design a balance pad that is tailored to horse training in order to give therapists and owners a training tool that is as horse-specific as possible.

You should definitely discuss with a specialist beforehand whether it is appropriate to use the pads on your horse and possible diagnoses. This question can only be answered individually. The pads should never be used on sick horses!

However, it can definitely be said that the range of applications for balance pads is very broad. They are used for rehabilitation training after injuries, but also as a preventative measure to prevent injuries.

What else should I consider when using it?

To ensure you have all the information you need to use the product, please take a look at our instructions and usage hints before you start training. You will of course also find a printed version of these in the product box, but this will give you an initial overview.

Otherwise, we would just like to give you one more piece of advice: the journey is the reward! You don't have to rush from one balance challenge to the next one that is more difficult ;-) Your horse will appreciate training that becomes increasingly more complex, so please take one step after the other!