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Balance First will empower you to achieve a biomechanically correct, healthy posture, and an open, calm, and willing mental state in your horse.
Balance
Teach your horse to move in a balanced, healthy posture using a tried-and-tested step-by-step method.
Science-based
Learn science-based concepts so that you can solve problems yourself without having to rely on a trainer.
Dressage movements
Teach your horse all dressage movements with balance, suppleness, shape, tempo, and rhythm.
Classical dressage
Seek what the grand masters sought - train with exercises inspired by masters such as Gustav Steinbrecht and François Robichon de La Guérinière.
Effective aids
Avoid confusion by teaching your horse a set of aids from the ground that easily transfer to riding.
No gadgets
Longe your horse in self-carriage without using gadgets that can cause pain and tension.
A polite horse
Create boundaries to stop your horse pushing into your space, biting, and nipping.
Mental state
Bring your horse to a high mental state.
Liberty connection
Create a liberty connection and perform all dressage exercises without tools.
Rehab
Bring your horse back into work gradually.
Injury
If your horse is not able to be ridden, you can still train him from the ground and have a lot of fun at the same time.
Companion / senior
Give your senior or companion horse some TLC - they love to do this training, it's going to make them feel so much better, give them a much better quality of life.
Book your coaching
Online coaching is a fantastic way to get the training you want, when you want, as often as you want, without having to travel or even leave home.
Wendy also offers theory, recorded video reviews and written evaluations.
To find out more book a free consultation today!
What if you had a set of exercises, principles and concepts to use in any situation?
- Learn a set of well-established and proven exercises, principles and concepts you can use at any time in any situation with any horse
- Gain the knowledge and insights to become a better horseperson
- Teach your horse to do just about anything
- Teach your horse to carry himself so there is never pressure on the rein - ditch the tiedowns, side reins and gadgets!
- Build strength and balance in your horse before riding
- Reset - rebuild confidence in you and your horse after things have gone wrong
- Develop topline where there was atrophy or a weak back
- Horse-friendly rehabilitation after injury or illness
- Build a great relationship with your horse
- Help your horse find relaxation
- Prepare your horse before he is saddled
- Improve the quality of life and physical well-being of your companion horse or pony
- Improve performance, whatever your discipline - even if everything seems to be going well, the Balance First exercises will help you get to the next level and reduce the physical strain on your horse
Testimonial:
Karen Massey, UK
Alf hasn’t been the easiest of horse over the years with issues that I came to learn arose from his natural asymmetry. A long interest in classical riding led me to Wendy. What an incredible journey this has now become. Wendy’s knowledge and patience are immense. She has encouraged and challenged me to think for myself, study and read widely. I have grown in confidence – not just with Alf, but in my own development as well.
It’s not just about the horse. I would have continued to do what I was doing – with the same results. It is Wendy’s teaching and support that are enabling the true, happy Alf to emerge. The horse that has always been there is shining through. A magnificent partner who can move beautifully and correctly, showing willingness, collection and lightness.
What is Balance First?
Balance First is a progressive system of gymnastic exercises to help you develop your horse symmetrically to find balance in body and mind.
Using these exercises regularly, you can teach your horse to carry himself in balance, so that both rider and horse can move together in harmony.
The gymnastic exercises are based on the classical teachings of old riding masters and are taught using the following 5 elements:
- Groundwork
- Longing
- Work in hand
- Riding and seat training
- Liberty
Every horse and rider/trainer combination is unique, and so coaching is tailored to suit you and your horse.
There are no time limits and there is no pressure to achieve or impress. Training must be taken at the speed that fits you and your horse, as well as your lifestyle.
Riding is the end goal, but Balance First gives you the ability to enjoy training and exercising your horse from the ground.
Groundwork
To teach and learn the exercises and the aids from the ground. Preparation for longeing, work in hand and riding.
Equipment is a single rein and cavesson.
Longeing
The trainer learns to influence the horse from a distance using body language and intention.
The horse learns to carry himself without support from the trainer.
Work in hand
Preparation for riding, all the exercises from the ground.
Using two or four reins as if riding.
A good way to introduce a bit.
Riding
After all exercises are in place in work in hand, we can start to ride. Riding mainly from the seat and using subtle aids. The horse knows how to find self-carriage.
Liberty
Building a liberty connection. All the exercises with a loose halter and then completely without equipment.
Also helpful before starting Groundwork to build confidence in the horse and create a dialogue.
Seat training
Off and on the horse seat training to find your comfortable, home seat and release tension and blockages in your own body.
Self awareness for an independent seat. Learn a clear set of aids - ride from your seat.
Who is it for?
Balance First training is ideal for any horse or pony, and any trainer, in pretty much any situation.
It's for people who believe in doing the best for their horse and are willing to take the time it takes.
lessons
Overcome misunderstandings and address natural asymmetry for a better, healthier training and riding experience with your horse!
Natural asymmetry
All horses and riders have natural asymmetry, meaning their limbs vary in strength and coordination.
Natural asymmetry in a ridden horse can lead to discomfort, pain and fear, resulting in various behavioural problems, like:
- Difficulty bending in one direction compared to the other
- Falling in or out while on a circle
- Leaning on the bit or hanging on one rein
- Pulling or rushing
- Hesitating or refusing to move forward
- Rushing
- Panicking
- Hollowing the back
- Overbending the neck
- Tripping
- Spooking/napping
- Poor canter transitions
- Bucking or bronking
Misunderstanding
Misunderstanding and confusion can lead to behavioural issues in horses. These problems often stem from several factors:
- Inadequate training of the horse
- Lack of knowledge from the trainer
- Lack of physical or emotional balance in the trainer
- Poorly timed cues from the trainer
- Inconsistency in the trainer’s approach
- Constant pressure applied by the trainer
- Ill-fitting tack
- Unrealistic expectations held by the trainer
Case study - Moon
Moon before
When he arrived he was unbalanced, hollow topline, falling, spooky and nervous.
After 6 weeks training
Balanced, calm, good posture.
Advanced groundwork
More relaxed and coordinated, haunches in - half steps.
Your coach
Hi I'm Wendy Poore, founder of Balance First. It's my passion to educate riders/trainers about their horses to eliminate the suffering that arises from misunderstanding, force, and mental or physical weakness or imbalance.
It is my goal to teach understanding and connection to help develop a harmonious relationship, while developing a stronger, more supple, balanced horse.
My first horse taught me early on that just expecting to be able to ride your horse was not to be taken for granted. Horses have their own opinion and need to feel safe, comfortable and understood.
In my search for answers I studied with Marijke de Jong for 15 years and was an academy coach, evaluator and instructor in the Straightness Training Academy between 2015 and 2024. I became a certified instructor of Hanna Engstrom's home seat training course in 2019 and continue to study with her. I am now continuing my education with the Academic Art of Riding and other areas of horsemanship.
Case study - Marley
Marley before
No confidence, extremely emotional every time he was longed, bucking & bronking and taking off.
Marley before
Ridden he had lost confidence altogether after broking at a clinic. Hollow backed, not stepping forward, body weight on front legs.
The training
Longeing much calmer and able to carry himself and search down.
After
When I started to ride him again he was instantly able to do all the lateral movements that I had taught him from the ground.
After
Soft and balanced under the rider. Searching toward the hand. Calm and listening.
After
He had such presence, through groundwork and longeing I was able to build an amazing relationship with him and when he god sick I could keep him supple and soft in his body.