Balance Equestrian

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Balance Equestrian Boutique facility offering horse boarding, respite care, equine-assisted learning, and equine therapy in Invercargill.

16/10/2026

Therapy horses must be treated as ‘active participants’ not ‘therapeutic tools’, finds a recent study. Read full story below

Lighter evenings and bedtime snacks 🌿🐴 Making the most of spring!
10/10/2026

Lighter evenings and bedtime snacks 🌿🐴 Making the most of spring!

Spring grass is coming through, so we’ve added a few extra loose hay stations while some of our paddocks have a rest. 🌱F...
09/10/2026

Spring grass is coming through, so we’ve added a few extra loose hay stations while some of our paddocks have a rest. 🌱

For our older mares with dental issues, loose hay helps keep them eating comfortably.

We’ve used our Jelka Group HIT Top Clean Mats from SureHoof around the stations for extra cushioning and ground protection.

We have a bigger project planned for one of our big covered hay stations once the ground dries out, but in the meantime, we love how easily the mats can be moved and repurposed for seasonal needs! 😍

Mucking out with little helpers 🥰The kids got a little tired, so River decided he’d lend a hoof 🙈And Lewis? He just want...
08/10/2026

Mucking out with little helpers 🥰

The kids got a little tired, so River decided he’d lend a hoof 🙈

And Lewis? He just wanted his own juice box. 😂

Rewards seem to get a pretty bad rap. But should they?We’re often told to be careful with rewards.Don’t “bribe” children...
02/10/2026

Rewards seem to get a pretty bad rap. But should they?

We’re often told to be careful with rewards.

Don’t “bribe” children.
Don’t give horses treats or they’ll become pushy.
Don’t let someone become dependent on an external reward.

And there are good reasons to think carefully about these things.

But we’ve started wondering whether the conversation is sometimes a little too black and white.

Because not everything that motivates us is a bribe.

Motivation is complicated. What makes something worthwhile to one person might mean absolutely nothing to another. And what makes us want to participate isn’t always a tangible “reward”.

Sometimes it’s the feeling of being understood.

Sometimes it’s having a choice.

Sometimes it’s feeling capable.

Sometimes it’s connection, curiosity, enjoyment or simply knowing why something matters.

And sometimes… it’s a treat.

We don’t think rewards are inherently good or bad. What seems more important is what we’re rewarding, why we’re using it, how we’re using it, and what it means to the individual.

The intention matters. So does how the reward is experienced by the person receiving it.

And what works for one person may not work for another.

We’ve seen this with our horses too.

Whinney’s liberty journey is a lovely example. Dunstan Horsefeeds treats have become one of the things she clearly values during her liberty work, and one way we can reinforce the behaviours and choices that help us communicate with each other.

That doesn’t mean she needs a treat for everything.

It doesn’t mean food is the whole relationship.

Maybe the better question isn’t:

“Should we use rewards?”

But rather:

“What makes this meaningful for this individual… and how can we use that thoughtfully?” ❤️

At what age do we decide that work isn’t fun anymore?Young children don’t seem to make the same distinction between work...
30/09/2026

At what age do we decide that work isn’t fun anymore?

Young children don’t seem to make the same distinction between work and play that adults do. When they’re invited into the things we’re already doing, being alongside us and sharing the experience can turn even ordinary work into wonderful play. It’s the connection, communication and sense of belonging that make it so enjoyable.

This holiday period, the kids have been helping us prepare our new Jelka HIT Top Clean Mats from SureHoof for their new home around the hay feeders. Scooping gravel, filling mats, moving them into place and working out where everything should go. (If you are thinking of making some paddock upgrades this holidays, use the code BALANCE5 to receive a discount from Surehoof 🥰)

The mares were supervising, of course, and River came over to investigate too. 🐴

There’s so much in these ordinary moments: sensory input, movement, problem-solving, teamwork and responsibility. But also the chance to demonstrate what friends, freedom and forage look like in practice. How we care for our herd and others. How we use what we have, draw on our community and work together to nourish our own minds and bodies too.

Perhaps most importantly, they get to experience that their participation matters. That they are trusted, included and part of something bigger than themselves.

They weren’t pretending to help.
They were helping. 🥰

What parts of everyday work do your kids love being part of, and where do you still find joy and play in your own work? ❤️

Some milestones are worth waiting for. ❤️Today was a pretty special one…Charlee’s first ride in years, and Lewis’ first ...
26/09/2026

Some milestones are worth waiting for. ❤️

Today was a pretty special one…Charlee’s first ride in years, and Lewis’ first ride since his leg injury.

After weeks of groundwork, they were ready to ride - walk, trot, canter and a quiet wander around the property. 🐴

Rehab is slow, steady and consistent, but moments like this make every step along the way worth it. 🥰

Just ONE week to go! 😍We’re getting very excited for a day of horses, connection, movement and a little bit of time to s...
19/09/2026

Just ONE week to go! 😍

We’re getting very excited for a day of horses, connection, movement and a little bit of time to slow down and breathe. 🐴🌿

There are a few ways you can join us:

🐴 All livery clients and horses — $75

🐴 Bring an external horse — $120
Includes stable use for your horse for the day.

🧘‍♀️ Come without a horse — $75
Take part in the mindfulness & yoga session, watch the liberty work and enjoy the day. No experience required!

We think we’ve replied to everyone who has messaged to enrol so far — but if you’ve been in touch and haven’t heard back from us, please give us a little nudge! 🥰

What do you do when you have the wettest winter in 45 years?🌧️You pivot. You adapt. You grow. 🌿This winter has certainly...
18/09/2026

What do you do when you have the wettest winter in 45 years?🌧️

You pivot. You adapt. You grow. 🌿

This winter has certainly tested us, and it’s given us plenty of time to think about how we can keep improving the way we do things for our horses, our clients and our team.

So when our delivery of Jelka HIT Top Clean Mats from SurehoofNZ arrived this week, we were pretty excited. 👀🐴

This is just the beginning of a much bigger project to make our track more resilient, more functional and better equipped for whatever Southland decides to throw at us next.

We’ll be sharing the journey as we go…and we’d love to hear from anyone who has used Jelka Mats before. How have they worked for you? What have you topped them with - sand, pea gravel, something else?

For those who want to join us and start prepping for next winter, SureHoof have generously provided a discount code for our followers - Balance5 🥰

DELIVERY!!! 🥳Who’s ready for a hay feeder “glow up”? 👀What would you like to see around our hay stations? 🤔
15/09/2026

DELIVERY!!! 🥳

Who’s ready for a hay feeder “glow up”? 👀

What would you like to see around our hay stations? 🤔

Address

24 Bethunes Lane
Invercargill

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

0278820830

Website

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