Balance is not a static, equal weight distribution of the horse’s weight over all 4 “corners" of his body, but it is the ability, to redistribute the weight quickly and smoothly from any one corner to any other, or from one side to the other, because only then can the horse move smoothly in a small space.

If a horse is not able to redistribute his weight easily, he will become stiff and clumsy and you feel like you’re having to manoeuvre a large ship around a small swimming pool. By contrast, when the horse is truly balanced, you feel like you’re sitting on a ball that you can roll in any direction any time.