Welcome to the Pure Equine Balance Journal, where we explore the connection between horse health, nutrition, biomechanics, saddle fit, and horse-friendly tack. Here you’ll find practical articles, research insights, and educational resources covering topics such as treeless and flexible saddles, bitless bridles, saddle pads, equine nutrition, mineral balancing, and holistic horse care. Our goal is to help horse owners make informed decisions that support comfort, performance, and long-term wellbeing for their horses.
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Reindeer hide is a little different from a conventional saddle pad, so naturally we receive plenty of questions about using and caring for it. Does it shed? Is it hot? How do you clean it? Which direction should the hair run? And is caring for a whole reindeer hide different from caring for a purpose-made…

The Benefits of Reindeer Hide as a Saddle Pad When horse owners think about saddle pads, most immediately consider materials such as wool, sheepskin, felt, foam, or synthetic fabrics. Yet in the northern regions of Scandinavia and other Arctic areas, another material has been used beneath saddles for generations: reindeer hide. Long before modern saddle…

1. Reduce Stress & Support the Nervous System Chronic stress is one of the biggest contributors to gastric irritation in horses. Constant stabling, herd instability, high training loads, travel, pain, and even subtle discomfort from tack or mineral imbalance may all contribute to ongoing sympathetic (“fight or flight”) activation. A naturopathic approach focuses on: A…

Is Mineral Deficiency in Horses Always a True Deficiency? When a horse begins to show signs such as poor hoof quality, behavioural changes, muscle tension, coat changes, or reduced performance, it is common to immediately suspect a nutrient deficiency. In many cases, owners begin adding supplements in an attempt to “replace” what may be missing.…