Horses have been our partners for centuries, carrying us across landscapes, aiding in our work, and becoming beloved companions. But despite our deep bond with them, many horses struggle with chronic lameness, tension, and performance issues due to poor movement patterns and compensation from past injuries. Traditional training methods often focus on symptoms rather than root causes, leading to a cycle of discomfort and temporary solutions. This is where the Balanced Through Movement Method (BTMM) offers a groundbreaking approach.

BTMM is a biomechanics-based training and rehabilitation system developed by Celeste Lazaris.

It focuses on postural balance, correct movement patterns, and nervous system health to help horses move in a way that supports their long-term soundness and well-being. Unlike conventional training that often prioritizes performance metrics, BTMM emphasizes structural integrity and functional movement, ensuring that horses remain comfortable, strong, and capable throughout their lives.

Understanding Postural Balance

At the core of BTMM is the concept of postural balance. Many horses develop movement patterns that compensate for weakness, tension, or past injuries. Over time, these compensations create asymmetries that lead to discomfort and, eventually, lameness.

A horse’s ability to move soundly depends on the stability and engagement of its core muscles, the lift in its thoracic sling (which supports the forehand), and the alignment of its spine and limbs. When these elements are properly engaged, the horse can carry itself in a way that minimizes joint strain and maximizes efficiency. However, when balance is compromised, the horse develops compensatory patterns that stress joints, muscles, and soft tissues, increasing the risk of injury.

BTMM works by retraining the horse’s body to support itself correctly. Through groundwork exercises, nerve release, and mindful under-saddle work, horses learn to carry their weight evenly, engage their core, and move in a biomechanically sound manner.

Correct Movement Patterns: Building Strength from the Inside Out

Many traditional training programs focus on “frame” and external appearance rather than true strength and engagement. Horses are often forced into a specific head position or gait without considering whether they have the foundational stability to support such movement. This approach can lead to false collection, where a horse appears to be moving correctly but is actually bracing or compensating elsewhere in the body.

In contrast, BTMM prioritizes functional movement patterns. This means developing correct postural engagement before adding speed, lateral work, or complex maneuvers. Some key elements include:

Thoracic sling engagement – Helping the horse lift through the shoulder girdle to free up the forehand and prevent front-end heaviness.
Core activation – Encouraging the deep stabilizing muscles to support movement rather than relying on momentum or incorrect bracing.
Hind-end alignment – Ensuring the horse’s hind legs track correctly underneath the body, providing balance rather than simply pushing forward.
Spinal mobility – Allowing the horse to move freely through its back without tension or restriction.

By focusing on these principles, BTMM helps develop true strength from the inside out, leading to a horse that moves with ease, fluidity, and long-term soundness.

Nervous System Regulation: Unlocking Tension for Lasting Change

A horse’s movement is not only influenced by its muscles and skeleton but also by its nervous system. Chronic tension, past injuries, and emotional stress all leave their mark on a horse’s body. If these issues are not addressed, even the best training program will only produce short-term improvements.

BTMM incorporates nerve release techniques to help horses let go of deep-seated tension. These releases target areas of restriction, allowing the horse to move more freely and comfortably. This approach is particularly valuable for horses that:

Have a history of injury or trauma
Display behavioral resistance due to physical discomfort
Struggle with stiffness, bracing, or asymmetry

**By addressing nervous system health alongside biomechanics, BTMM creates lasting improvements in movement rather than just temporary fixes.**

The Rider’s Influence: A Partnership in Movement

A horse’s movement is directly affected by the rider. Even the most well-balanced horse can develop compensatory patterns if the rider is unbalanced, asymmetrical, or applying incorrect pressure.

BTMM teaches riders how to support their horse’s movement rather than hinder it. Some key principles include:

Developing body awareness to ensure even weight distribution in the saddle
Learning to follow the horse’s natural movement rather than forcing an artificial frame
Using aids that encourage engagement rather than create bracing or resistance

By refining their own balance and cues, riders can become true partners in their horse’s movement, allowing for more fluid, pain-free performance.

Lameness Prevention and Rehabilitation

One of the most powerful aspects of BTMM is its role in lameness prevention and rehabilitation. Many soundness issues arise from years of minor compensations that build into chronic problems. By identifying and addressing movement imbalances before they turn into full-blown injuries, BTMM helps horses stay sound and comfortable for longer.

For horses already experiencing lameness, BTMM offers a structured approach to rehabilitation. Rather than relying on forced rest or symptom-masking treatments, this method focuses on retraining movement patterns, restoring nervous system balance, and eliminating compensation. Many horses that have been deemed “unrideable” or “past their prime” find new levels of comfort and capability through BTMM.

Applying BTMM in Daily Training

Incorporating BTMM into a horse’s routine doesn’t require specialized equipment or drastic changes. It starts with small, intentional shifts in how we approach movement and training. Here are some simple ways to begin:

Groundwork exercises – Focus on postural stability before asking for speed or complex maneuvers, by incorporating the 3 Pillars
Nerve release – Help your horse let go of tension, especially in areas prone to restriction.
Thoughtful under-saddle work – Pay attention to how your horse is carrying itself rather than just the shape it’s in. Learn bit mechanics and how to use the bit properly
Assess management factors – Ensure that saddle fit, hoof balance, and overall care support sound movement.

**The goal is not to achieve quick, superficial results but to create a strong, balanced, and sound horse for life.**

A Future of Sound, Happy Horses

The Balanced Through Movement Method is more than just a training philosophy—it’s a commitment to the long-term health and well-being of our horses. By prioritizing biomechanics, nervous system health, and correct movement patterns, we can break free from the cycle of chronic lameness and temporary fixes. Instead, we create horses that move freely, comfortably, and confidently for years to come.

Whether you’re rehabilitating an injured horse, working with a young horse, or refining a seasoned partner’s movement, BTMM offers a sustainable path to soundness and true partnership. Through patience, knowledge, and a willingness to listen to our horses, we can transform the way they move—and in doing so, change their lives for the better.

If you’d like to learn more about BTMM, and integrate these principles into your training, join the growing BTMM community—your horse will thank you!

Balanced Through Movement Method: A Revolutionary Approach to Equine Soundness