16/10/2026
Friday thoughts 💭
“Supplements will never replace a healthy, varied diet.” But that doesn’t mean they’re bad.
The other day, I read an interesting discussion about Sure Foot pads (balance pads) for horses. A few things said, stuck with me:
▪️ Why buy something expensive when nature offers similar benefits for free?
▪️ Why use tools designed for rehab as a training method?
▪️ The horses wouldn’t need them if we kept them differently.
Honestly, I see both sides. I own Sure Foot pads, love using them… yet I still believe they should never replace the basics.
The horses here grow up in the mountains, navigate challenging terrain, and are ridden outdoors on varied ground. They spend most of the year outside, getting plenty of natural proprioceptive training.
So why use balance pads?
Because even with a good foundation, there are times when the horses’ natural movement and training become more limited.
▪️ More time indoors.
▪️ Less varied terrain and more riding on gravel roads.
▪️ Bad weather limiting training/outdoor riding.
This is where supplements come in.
Think of it like nutrition: a healthy, varied diet comes first. Supplements can help fill the gaps, but they can never compensate for a poor diet.
The same applies to training.
Sure Foot pads shouldn’t replace:
▪️ As much turnout as possible.
▪️ Riding on varied terrain.
▪️ Diverse training.
Could my horses live without them? Absolutely.
But when I have the opportunity to use them as an additional training tool, why not?
The foundation matters most. Supplements can add value, but they can never replace the things horses fundamentally need.
