Whether you are a student of riding or an Instructor you know that good consistent school horses are invaluable. A school horse must be patient, willing, cooperative and alert yet calm. He must be physically responsive to the aids and balanced and rhythmic in all of his gaits. The "spirited" horse has plenty to teach a seasoned rider, but when dealing with new riders it helps to have a trustworthy mount.
Imagine a horse that never has an off day, never spooks,tires,or refuses. He also needs no hay, grain or bedding and never needs a vet or a farrier. He can build your confidence, perfect your position, and get you in top riding shape. Sound to good to be true?
Meet my latest dream horse from Racewood Simulators. The first WALK, TROT AND CANTERING SIMULATOR in the world. This is the first time a simulator has automatically changed from a trot to a canter by kick of the leg, just like the real horse it goes faster with applied pressure from the heels, the first kick will make the horse walk a second a trot and kick again to get the cantering action.
This Robohorse could be an awesome teaching tool for riders wanting to develop skills, confidence and stamina. I wouldn't even mind having one in my living room for exercise or a sweet party attraction. The only catch is they cost about as much as a new Lexus, and the nearest manufacturer is in Canada. For now I'll have to wait. Unless they come out with a less expensive version for those of us on a Hyundai budget...
LOL! That is crazy I never heard of such a thing. I can see how it could be useful but it's also a little sad. You learn to ride horses to be around horses not machines. As far as the training I don't think it could teach a new rider how to respond to horse behavior. You learn about horse by being around the real stuff.
One of the most common problems with new horse owners and riders is that they don't know how to read horses.
I suppose a trainer wanting to use this would have to be very careful about how often they used it. Unless of course there is a mechanical horse jockey shortage Then this type of training would need to be full-time.:)
Posted by: Mona | January 03, 2007 at 11:48 PM
This reminds me to the iGallop at Brookstones. It got a negative but fun review in the USDF magazine. Said it did a lot of gyrations but doesn’t simulate a horse that well. Check it out at
http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?product_code=531707&wid=17&cid=1701&sid=170102&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t2&cm_re=A_MN*531707*531707
Posted by: Jennifer | January 19, 2007 at 10:23 AM
What this would be VERY useful for would be nervous riders, people who have been in accidents involving horses, people who need to get their confidence up a little.
I certainly could have used one of these when I was younger, as my very first riding instructor (who I rode with for 2 years not knowing any better) had no compunctions about putting up beginners on skittish, high-strung, and mean (to both humans and other horses) "school horses" (often stallions). They were terrible, and most lessons were spent trying to hang on while the horse ripped around the pasture, doing his darndest to toss whatever puny insect was on his back. Shot my confidence completely for years to come, that is for sure. But hey- my seat is as solid as they come, nothing my horse does can unseat me after that. ;)
I'd totally buy one now, if I had the money.
Posted by: Rebecca | February 11, 2007 at 09:52 PM