Balance Pads for Horses

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In this video, Dr. Lacher demonstrates some exercises you can use with your horse. Balance pads are a great way to increase core strength and rehab injuries.

[@lisamantellato6693]

Love this and your podcast is really wonderful. Have learnt a lot. Thank you 😊

[@kurs1122]

The balance pads concepts are interesting. It may be the camera angle but he looks like he stands slightly BTV on his fores and when you pick up the L hind he steps R fore forward placing it to what looks more on the vertical under his shoulders for balance. Could his R fore trim be slightly off for his front end conformation? Could he be normally in a slightly resting the heels stance on his fores? Maybe he needs a tweak in his fores trim? All based on visual for this camera angle.

[@trueheartfarm8831]

Interesting

[@excelsiorequine9529]

Because you are working different muscles with each placement of the pads, can you do hind end for 5 minutes, break, front end for 5 minutes? Also, as I add this into my routine and work my horse a little harder each session, what is a good increment to increase the difficulty of the exercise by? Alternatively, what signs of fatigue do you notice in your horses that tell you they are approaching their limit?

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

You can do hind end then front for sure. Front end is much easier for them as the head and neck help stabilize as well. I generally add 1 minute at a time every week or so if desired.

[@excelsiorequine9529]

@@SpringhillEquineVet Really great info, thank you for sharing and thank you for putting this information out! Love trying these rehab techniques.

[@justinenarbey6262]

I have a new horse who when my farrier came to trim his feet almost fell over when he lifted his right foot. He then discovered that his left leg had a lump which I hadn’t picked up when I bought him and after contacting the owner she said he had developed a splint from incorrect shoeing from a previous farrier a couple of years ago. My question is, would balance pads be helpful for him to develop strength and balance?

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

Absolutely! Start by placing one foot on a pad and being sure he can handle that. Next try placing the opposite foot on a pad. I assume these are front feet you are talking about, but same plan can be done if it's hind feet. Ask him to stand on the pads for 2-3 minutes. Work up to standing on them for 5 minutes and you should see a dramatic improvement in his balance. Some horses also like to stand on them while having their feet trimmed. You could try the left foot on a pad while your farrier trims the right front, and then reverse.

[@HeySieren]

What size are the pads that you are using?

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

18 x 18

[@brennasamarin]

What kind of pads do you use?

[@SpringhillEquineVet]

We use human balance pads from Amazon, but it doesn't really matter. The equine-specific pads are a bit tougher, but they are all pretty similar density.

[@trueheartfarm8831]

Interesting