Help - information about a Riding Simulator (trot or canter)

[Mivs]

Do any of you know of any place that a) sells riding simulators, b) any centre or gym that has them? If so any information would be gratefully accepteed.

I think it would be ideal to practice using a simulator as I only ride once a week.

Thanks in advance

regards
Miriam

[Sue Carnell]

Heather (Moffett) is designing a home use simulator at the moment. Currently even the most basic mechanical racehorse type simulators are around a thousand pounds, minimum. The electronic heather type sims are around 3 - 4k, I haven't heard of any cheaper ones. The German computerised sim, with pressure pads etc., is around 11k! Heather's home use mechanical sim (walk, trot and canter) is expected to be similar in price to a top of the range exercise bike (around 200 - 400 pounds I think) but I don't know when it'll be ready to market. Perhaps Heather can give us an idea. I want one and I ride a lot more than once a week! I would love to open a gym with a dozen exercise horses, instead of exercise bikes. :)

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[ponynut]

A riding simulator? Are they fun? Never tried one. Would love a go!

I guess they show you how walk trot canter feel but do these only show your faults as a rider not the response of a horse. (eg spook?) If so I may feel somewhat depressed!
Is it the ultimate schoolmaster?

[Sue Carnell]

Hi Ponynut,

They don't really show your faults, Heather uses them as the ultimate lunge horse. For example we can show you, hands on, exactly how to move harmoniously to perfectly sit the perfect trot and then you can practice sitting trot for as long you want to, working out exactly what leg is doing what, from feel, he doesn't actually have legs, and with instruction. No worry of keeping the pace, turning, circling, or stopping (or spooking). Heather's Randy is actually a very advanced horsey sim. He'll do the perfect piaffe for as long as he has electricity and his tyres have air. :)

The simulators are actually brilliant teaching accessories. Imagine teaching a beginner rising and sitting trot, before they ever get on a real horse, so they can already move with the horse and not upset them, lose their balance or bounce about? Or teaching the more experienced rider who hasn't quite mastered something by being able to put your hands on them and actually guide them into position and the movement? I think they're invaluable, if used to their full potential and I can teach people how to co-ordinate their timing of the aids and choose their rising trot diagonals on them too.

We do offer machine workshops at Heather's, but anyone who's interested in learning on the machines would have to write to Heather for more information. email heather@eclipse.co.uk, if anyone wants to know more about it.

Sue Carnell
sue@eclipse.co.uk

[ponynut]

Oooh would love a go!!!
Where is one in Yorks?
No grooming or tacking up either!

[Mazpup]

I would love a riding simulator - a bit out of my price range tho!

[Mivs]

Hello Sue.

Thnak you for the information! I will write to Heather to ask when she thinks it will be complete.

P.S. I would love to have one as well and would use that instead of exrecise bike. It would be a chance to practice staying on the horse and not bouncing around in addition to the exercise of course and training the right muscles

Regards
Miriam

[Mazpup]

What can they do apart from walk, trot, canter. Do they simulate working on the bit and lateral work, that owuld be great!

[Jane.A]

Our RDA group has invested in one and its marvellous. It does walk and trot, including a n extended type gait. I have ridden for thirty years and found I'd been doing sitting trot incorrectly by riding the simulator. If you sit correctly and bear down on the sim. it slows the trot and makes it easier to sit. You actually feel the back end lower and engage as a horse would. It also allows the instructor a hands on approach. We are usually so concerned with how the horse is going that we neglect ourselves, and that also has an effect on how the horse goes. The reins slow the horse and stop it. It also shows if you have inconsistant contact, another of my faults!! On the whole its an excellent tool and allows you to concentrate on getting it right without steering etc. My instructor is in North Lincs and a lesson on the simulator is £10 for half an hour, but in my book its well worth it.