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.
Wendy Poore Portrait

For the horse

Two of the most common causes of behavioural problems with horses are misunderstanding and natural asymmetry. Unresolved, they cause untold pain and suffering to both horses and riders.

When horses are not properly prepared to be ridden, they do their best to do as we ask, but they very often are literally not able to do it.

When a horse that is not straight is asked to canter in a circle, it may feel as though it’s going to fall over. The horse might struggle to move, bend, or lower its head and neck.

What usually happens then is that the trainer puts more pressure on, uses more equipment, stronger bits, spurs, gadgets and tie-downs.

Instead of harmonious communication, it becomes like a battleground.

The suffering is often unspoken, unheard, or unseen. This is why it is vital to teach the horse to balance first: physically, mentally, and emotionally.

For the rider

Issues frequently emerge when an individual is out of balance in one or more aspects of their wellbeing, be it physical, mental, or emotional.

Physical imbalance may result from neglecting proper nutrition, exercise, or sleep, while mental imbalance can arise from chronic stress, lack of focus, or negative thought patterns.

Emotional imbalance often manifests through unmanaged stress, unresolved conflicts, or overwhelming feelings.

Addressing these imbalances is crucial for achieving overall health and stability in life.

It is crucial when working with horses.

The Balance First programme will give you tools to help you to become the best possible version of yourself for the benefit of you and your horse.

The Balance First training scale

Balance forms the foundation for the other four elements

When a horse is able to move in balance he naturally becomes more relaxed and supple, and very soon is able to bend equally to the left and right. He learns to carry himself in a healthy shape, using all four legs equally, and engaging his core muscles. We add a normal tempo and rhythm only when the horse is able to support himself and stay in balance at slower tempos. This training scale leads to straightness in the horse.
BSSTR

The commonly used dressage training scale

Without balance, it is virtually impossible to find suppleness and rhythm

This dressage training scale starts with rhythm and suppleness and finishes with straightness and collection. But when a horse is weak and unbalanced under a rider, it is virtually impossible to find suppleness and rhythm. In fact, asking a horse that is not yet able to carry himself in balance to carry a rider in a normal tempo and rhythm causes stiffness, pain and conflict. The horse simply cannot physically do it and does not feel safe. This, in turn, causes injuries as well as mental and emotional problems.