Balance pads are very important for horse recovery. Experts use balance matte pferd in physiotherapy and rehab. These tools help horses get better balance and stronger muscles. After four weeks with balance pads, horses move less in unwanted ways. Their muscles also get bigger. The table below shows these changes:
| Outcome Measure | Result After 4 Weeks | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Medial-lateral and cranio-caudal motion | P < 0.0004 | Less unwanted movement |
| Musculus multifidus CSA at T14 | P = 0.021 | Larger muscle cross-sectional area |
Physiotherapy and rehab with balance pads help horses feel better. They also help horses know their bodies more.
Key Takeaways
- Balance pads help horses get stronger muscles and better balance when they are healing. Using balance pads teaches a horse’s body and mind to work together. This helps the horse move better and know where its body is. Therapists use balance pads with care. They start with simple exercises and make them harder slowly. This keeps horses safe. Picking the right pad size, firmness, and shape is important. It should fit each horse’s needs and keep them comfy. Always watch the horse closely during each session. Stop if the horse looks hurt or stressed. This helps the horse heal safely.
What Are Balance Pads?
Balance Matte Pferd
Balance matte pferd are soft pads made from foam. People put these pads under a horse’s hooves in therapy. The surface feels wobbly and not steady. This makes the horse try harder to keep balance. When standing on a balance matte pferd, the horse uses many muscles. Trainers and veterinarians use balance matte pferd for horses with injuries or weakness. These pads come in many shapes and sizes. Some are flat, and some have bumps or ridges. Each kind gives the horse a different challenge. Horses with nerve problems or muscle loss often use a balance matte pferd to help them get better.
A balance matte pferd helps a horse get stronger and steadier by making standing exercises harder.
How They Work?
A balance matte pferd moves under the horse’s feet. This makes the horse’s body react fast. The horse uses its core and legs to stay up. As the horse shifts, it works deep muscles and ligaments. This helps the horse get stronger and move better. The balance matte pferd also sends signals from the hooves to the brain. These signals help the horse know where its body is. Trainers use a balance matte pferd with other tools, like elastic bands, to help the horse heal faster. Horses using a balance matte pferd in therapy often get fit again and return to normal. The balance matte pferd helps the horse control its muscles and know its body better.
Benefits for Rehabilitating Horses
Balance and Coordination
Horses need good balance to move safely. They also need coordination to heal after getting hurt. Balance pads make the ground feel soft and wobbly. This makes it harder for the horse to stand still. The horse must shift its body to keep from falling. This helps the horse use many muscles at the same time. After a few weeks, trainers see horses sway less. Horses learn to control their bodies better. This helps stop falls and keeps them from getting hurt again. Better balance helps the horse stay healthy. It also makes daily tasks easier.
Horses that use balance pads often stand straighter and walk steadier.
Balance pads help the horse’s brain and body work together. The horse gets new signals from its hooves and legs. This helps the horse know where its body is. This skill is called proprioceptive awareness. It is important for horses that lost coordination from being hurt or sick. Horses with better balance and coordination can go back to work sooner. They also have less chance of getting hurt again.
Muscle Strength and Stability
Muscle strength and stability are important for a horse to heal. Balance pads help work deep muscles in the back and core. Studies show horses standing on pads each day get stronger in the thoracolumbar multifidus. This muscle is deep along the spine. It helps keep the spine steady and helps the horse stand tall. As this muscle grows, the horse stands straighter and sways less. Horses also get a better topline and more control over their back legs.
A strong back and core protect the horse’s spine and joints. Horses with weak muscles often have pain in the stifle and back. Using balance pads helps build strength in these spots. Over time, the horse gets more stable. It is less likely to get tired or hurt. Horses in rehab with balance pads often return to normal life with better health and fewer problems.
- Balance pads help:
- Build deep muscle strength
- Improve stability in the back and stifle
- Support the health of the spine
Proprioception and Body Awareness
Proprioceptive training helps a horse know where its legs and body are. Balance pads are important for this training. When a horse stands on a pad, it feels small changes under its feet. The horse must react fast to stay balanced. This sends signals to the brain. The horse becomes more aware of its body.
Horses with injuries can lose some proprioceptive skills. Balance pads help bring these skills back. The horse must focus on every step. Trainers see horses using pads move more smoothly and bend better. The horse learns to use its stifle and back legs better. This helps the horse feel good and move well.
Studies show balance pads help lower lameness and make horses more comfortable. Special pads made from polystyrene spread the horse’s weight across the hoof. This lowers pressure on the hoof wall. It also supports the bones inside the hoof. Horses with laminitis or hoof problems feel less pain. They move better during rehab.
Note: Always pick the right pad thickness and density for each horse. This keeps the horse safe and comfortable.
Balance pads give horses a safe way to get stronger, steadier, and more aware of their bodies. These benefits help horses heal faster and live active, healthy lives.
Using Balance Pads
Integration in Therapy
Therapists use balance pads to help horses get stronger. They start by putting firm pads under the front feet. The horse stands on a flat, safe surface. This keeps the horse and handler safe. When the horse stands still, therapists use softer pads. They may also put pads under the back feet. This slow method helps the horse get used to new things.
Therapists use balance pads with other tools. They add ground poles, tactile stimulators, and resistance bands. These tools make a full training plan. Manual perturbation exercises are also used. In these, a handler lifts a leg and holds it for a few seconds. This helps the horse stand better. As the horse gets better, therapists add new surfaces or slopes. This makes balance and control harder.
Tip: Always check if the horse is steady and comfortable before making exercises harder. Horses with joint injuries need special care when picking pad firmness and where to put them.
Therapists watch each horse closely. They look for signs of tiredness or pain. They change the routine to keep the horse safe and help it improve.
Exercise Examples
Balance pads are important in many horse rehab exercises. In a six-week core program, trainers used balance pads and Swiss balls. These made the ground feel wobbly. The exercises helped balance, core strength, and body awareness.
Some exercises are the Swiss ball four-point kneeling test, Y-balance test, and Biering–Sorensen test. Trainers started with easy exercises. Then they moved to harder ones. They made the horse shift its weight and sometimes took away visual cues. The balance pad was used first. The Swiss ball was added later.
Trainers also use balance pads during lunging. The horse stands on the pad and does gentle moves. This helps the horse use its core and back muscles. Lunging with pads can help balance and control. Trainers watch all exercises to keep the horse safe.
Note: Always have someone watch and go slow to help your horse learn and stay safe during rehab.
Safety and Suitability
Choosing the Right Pad
Picking the right balance pad helps each horse get better results. Experts say you should think about a few things before picking a pad. The table below lists important tips and advice:
| Criteria | Recommendation / Expert Advice |
|---|---|
| Horse Size | Bigger horses need thicker or harder pads so they do not sink. |
| Temperament | Softer pads are good for nervous or young horses. |
| Surface Safety | Non-slip pads help keep horses safe and steady. |
| Pad Shape | Try different shapes, like square or oval, to see what the horse likes. |
| Material & Thickness | Foam pads are softer. TPE pads last longer and feel harder. Thickness changes how much the pad moves. |
| Rehabilitation Use | Always ask a veterinarian or trainer which pad is best for each rehab goal. |
| Session Management | Start with short sessions, about 2-3 minutes. Watch the horse and slowly make sessions longer. |
| Safety Practices | Use pads on non-slip floors. Keep hooves clean. Never force the horse. Take care of the pads. |
| Professional Pads | For therapy, use special pads with extra grip and shapes. |
| Patience & Observation | Watch the horse’s body language. Change pads or sessions if needed. |
A good pad helps the horse get better balance, stronger muscles, and more trust in its body. Trainers often use harder pads for horses with stifle problems to help the back legs and spine.
Tip: Always check the pad before each session. Make sure it is clean and not slippery.
When to Use or Avoid?
Balance pads help many horses, but not every horse should use them all the time. Trainers and veterinarians check the horse’s health and comfort before using pads. Horses with new injuries or open wounds should wait until they start to heal. If a horse looks hurt or stressed, stop the session right away.
Use balance pads to take pressure off sore hooves or joints. This helps horses with laminitis or those healing from surgery. Horses with balance problems or weak muscles do well with short, easy sessions. Always use pads in a quiet place to keep the horse calm.
- Use balance pads when:
- The horse needs better balance or stronger muscles.
- The goal is to help the horse move better and not get hurt again.
- The horse has stifle problems and needs more support.
- Avoid balance pads when:
- The horse has a new injury or is in a lot of pain.
- The horse is scared or will not stand on the pad.
- The pad or floor is slippery or not safe.
Note: Always end sessions in a good way. Praise the horse and keep sessions short at first.
Balance pads are important for helping horses get better. They help horses build muscle, balance, and know their bodies. Experts such as Katie Ellis and Wendy Murdoch say these pads can stop pain and help the spine stay steady. Horses get real and lasting results when they use balance pads in rehab. Even short times on the pads can help horses stand straighter and feel calmer. Horse owners should ask professionals to help use balance pads in a full recovery plan for the best results.
FAQ
How often should a horse use balance pads during recovery?
Most horses do best with short sessions. These sessions should happen two or three times each week. Trainers watch for tiredness or if the horse feels bad. They make sessions longer only when the horse gets stronger.
Can young or older horses use balance pads safely?
Yes, young and older horses can use balance pads. Trainers pick the right pad firmness for each horse. They also choose how long each session should be. The horse’s age and health help decide this. Someone should always watch the horse during use.
What signs show a horse is improving with balance pads?
- The horse stands straighter.
- The horse walks more smoothly.
- The horse sways less.
- The horse stands still with more confidence.
Trainers usually see these changes after a few weeks.
Do balance pads replace other forms of therapy?
Balance pads help other therapies but do not take their place. Veterinarians and trainers use pads with other exercises and rest. A full recovery plan works best for the horse.
