This website is now set up as an archive to share information about the work & research that the BALANCE Organisation & The BALANCE Saddle Company, have done over 30 years.
We invite anyone who has an interest in the health, soundness, welfare and performance of ridden horses to make use of it.
Formed in 1993 to teach and encourage the use of an alternative approach to saddling, that went on to be called The BALANCE Saddling System.
This is a type/method of Functional Saddling studies and respects the way ridden horses need to use their bodies to stay healthy and sound. For this reason, it is very different to the conventional saddle fitting practices that most horse owners are used to.
This website is a resource for anyone who wants to learn more about about Functional Saddling and the history of the BALANCE organisation’s role in its discovery and development.
Thanks for you very professional advice along the way and I would highly recommend the BALANCE team to anyone
Joy & Chiquita
If you get a moment - please could you pass on my thanks to Carol for taking the time to help me and my poor ex racehorse on Wed last week and It really opened my eyes to a number of things and now I am feeling very confident that he will 'come good'!!
Andrea, Yorkshire
Carol Brett at BALANCE, recommended a saddle and the
Remedial Programme to help us get started. I haven’t had a single problem with
Lachlan’s back again. He’s pain-free, light in the hand, happy to be saddled,
and has returned to his happy willing self!
He looks and feels fantastic!
Anna and Lachlan
The BALANCE "wholeistic" approach is beyond description, that resource I so desperately needed.
Thank you from all of us, Carol and Lesley, for helping horses heal.
Carol Grubb
Melinda
I had always dreamed of this kind of a saddle fitting. I wasn't at all sure it existed. Finding the right saddle is so EXTREMELY important - and I have found a company that REALLY knows that.
Lisa.
I am often asked for advice on saddles and I always
recommend speaking to the BALANCE team. As a result, I have seen dozens
of instances where the introduction of the BALANCE system works dramatic
improvement in a horse’s behaviour and movement
25 years of using BALANCE – I would never change.
Hazel Offord. Wendelbury Stud
The BALANCE Saddling System, does not only help with comfort
for the horse, but also with its posture and basic way of going.
The saddles allow the horse to move back towards its Natural
Correctness and carry its movement from the hind quarters.
Sarah Ussher (Trainer)
I can’t tell you how much I love my Zenith!!! I went through 10 saddles in 6 years for my horse before I got my Zenith. Two were “custom” made for him. What a joke. I am on my 5th year with my Zenith and it is still perfect!!! I cringe now when I see these very deep Dressage saddles with the huge thigh blocks. People ask me how I can ride in my Zenith with no thigh blocks and no deep seat. I say well now my horse is balanced and I don’t have to depend on the saddle to hold me. ☺️
Melinda
It is February in 2023 and I find myself in the grip of a frenzy of sorting and editing many things in my home and my life! As our dear Teressa (fellow director and manager of the sales side of BALANCE) will testify, I am, by nature a hoarder. She, by contrast is not, and would happily order a...
A story about a nice, but ordinary horse, who finds himself in a bit of a pickle because his person gets led astray by a fancy saddle and an ambition to ride like an Olympian. Are you sitting comfortably? Then we will begin.... If we create a fictitious recreational rider it will serve to identify and discuss some...
Stop the Bus ……. I want to get off! I remember saying to people at the end of 2021 ……… “It’s been a tough 2 years, but surely 2022 is going to be better”. 🤞 I really believed it too. I thought that Covid would become less and less disruptive and that the fall out from Brexit would start...
Joey’s Story, in which Chrissie Mason works her ‘magic’ again. Author: Teressa Pickford Editor: L. Taylor-Brett You might be interested in reading about examples of how Chrissie Mason Phd. has helped me to help my horses over the past few years. Most recently with my husbands horse, Joey. Lesley posted a Blog a few months ago about...
BALANCE Functional Saddling
A whole approach to designing, choosing and using saddles that respects and protects the ridden horse’s health, soundness and well-being.
Maintenance Saddling
A simple Saddling System that works to maintain healthy musculature, posture, movement & performance in the ridden horse.
BALANCE Functional Padding System
Versatile and adjustable pads, for horses to experience comfort & freedom, when used under an appropriate BALANCE saddle, or other makes of saddle with the right design features and width options.
Remedial Saddling
Helping horses to recover to their full health and ability after illness, lameness or previous saddle damage.
Beyond the Saddle
Application of Functional Saddling supports the aim of riders who study & respect the bio-mechanics of efficient, safe & therefore, beautiful movement in their horses.
International Support
Helping people & helping horses around the world, through a TEAM of dedicated & trained Saddle Consultants or Test Ride Facilitators in addition to support from BALANCE HQ.
