BalanceWork is a systematic technique that was created after years of trying to discover "why" the pain and tightness had started in the first place, and then how it could be stopped instead of just maintained.

 

The basis of this method centers around the fact that horses have the ability to rest and even go into a light sleep while standing. We humans can't even relate to this. A horse's body structure is similar to a suspension bridge in that a horse's topline is like a main suspension cable and their legs are like support pillars. The nuchal ligament even holds their head up for them. The horse's body "hangs" from this system and the majority of the weight is transferred to the legs. 

 

Because of this, a horse can use the stay apparatus to remain standing while asleep and still have almost all of their muscles in a relaxed state. When a horse's body is correct, its muscles are relaxed and supple. If a muscle is tight and sore when the horse is just standing (unless it's due to an injury), it's because the bone the muscle is attached to is not where it belongs. 

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All the information comes from the horse as we go through the body in a specific order, finding the soreness and addressing what is causing the muscles to be tight and sore. When the technique is finished, the horse's body should be balanced and the muscles that were previously sore should have no pain or restriction. Finding every single sore spot on the horse and addressing the cause of each, is what allows that horse to move freely without compensation or muscle memory to pull things back out of balance.

 

A big part of this method also includes explaining to the owner what was found, what he or she can do to help with the issue, and to understand what was going on with their horse. The goal of the BalanceWork approach is to have that horse moving freely and without muscle pain in one session and for it to hold.  Sometimes horses need more than one session to stay balanced, but usually one time is all they need.