Getting back in the saddle/mechanical horses

[ls0311]

As above really, there's a few mechanical horses in my area around £45 for a lesson. I figured it would be good for position help etc before getting back on the real thing, or should I just bite the bullet and get back on the horse??

For background, had a year or so without a horse due to it not being financially possible to own at the time but did still ride as and when I could, be it friend's horses or a share I had for a few months. Then had another year off properly due to a couple of surgeries, ending in an ankle fusion. Before this though I rode all the time, worked at a couple of yards, had my own horses etc etc.

I think it could be useful to see how my foot now sits in a stirrup without having to think about a horse, but while writing this I'm realising I'm probably just being a wimp and need to get back on board asap!!

Have you had mechanical horse lessons and do think they help and are worth the money too? Just out of interest as the price will add up quite quickly!!

 

[splashgirl45]

i felt the same after hip surgery, and as my horse was quite lively (to put it mildly) i went for a lesson on the mechanical horse to check how it felt. i took my own saddle and found it very useful to check for crookedness as well. it is expensive but i found it very useful and gave me the courage to ride. i did ride a couple of riding school horses first before i was brave enough to get on mine and then never looked back.....

 

[Red-1]

I was going to do that when I had a break, but was a bit put off with the cost. Instead, I got a Joy Ride machine from ebay. Only cost the same as one lesson and I got to use it again and again.

I put my dressage saddle on it, with stirrups, and made sure I could keep my legs still.

I did have to pull the curtains while I used it as I would have hated the neighbours or passers by to have seen

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think they are a brilliant idea. I’ve never had one but am desperate too! Just trying to book something locally.

 

[ElleSkywalker]

I've had quite a few mechanical horse/equipilates sessions after smooshing my knee up last year. They have helped no end. I had to relearn rising trot and used the mechanical horse rather that flopping about on my own pony.

Look up Equipilates on FB and see if there is one near you (there are a few round the country now) I'd really recommend it even if you only have one session 😀

 

[blodwyn1]

I had several sessions on the rda mechanical horse with a physio and it was brilliant after I broke my back and gave me confidence to ride my own pony again. I would very much recommend it but only with a very experienced instructor! Otherwise you might as well be on a rocking horse!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I had a series of 6 lessons on a mechanical horse after I broke my ankle. I had a new horse to get on after the lessons, too. Then I had a few more after a fall on the road and a trapped nerve in my neck. I would advise any-one to have one as part of rehab, as you can focus on you rather than on the horse.

 

[wren123]

I had one and it was useless, I was just told good, that's good to everything, which wasn't very helpful and I got nothing from the lesson. So make sure you get some recommendations as I'm sure with the right instructor it would be excellent.

 

[splashgirl45]

you need a good instructor and ideally ( though not essential ), a horse which is linked to a computer which shows if you are sitting correctly , i knew i was sitting slightly crooked so managed to get that corrected before i got back on a horse

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

After I broke my ankle I popped over to local good rs and had 3 sessions on their mech horse, really found it helped.
That RS insists on any new client who is already a rider that they have a 1 off session on the mech horse with head instructor, to determine the riders capabilities before they are allowed on a horse. V sound thinking imho

 

[paddy555]

I was going to do that when I had a break, but was a bit put off with the cost. Instead, I got a Joy Ride machine from ebay. Only cost the same as one lesson and I got to use it again and again.

I put my dressage saddle on it, with stirrups, and made sure I could keep my legs still.

I did have to pull the curtains while I used it as I would have hated the neighbours or passers by to have seen

having watched it I can understand about the curtains.
does it feel like a horse walking? did you just sit your saddle on top or tie it on in some way? Was there enough distance between the seat and the ground to keep your feet off the floor? I am quite intrigued by them, there seem to be lots for sale on e bay pretty cheap.
Looking at them they seem to put you in the farmers hunt type seat, did your dressage saddle mean that you were more in a classical position?

 

[Red-1]

having watched it I can understand about the curtains.
does it feel like a horse walking? did you just sit your saddle on top or tie it on in some way? Was there enough distance between the seat and the ground to keep your feet off the floor? I am quite intrigued by them, there seem to be lots for sale on e bay pretty cheap.
Looking at them they seem to put you in the farmers hunt type seat, did your dressage saddle mean that you were more in a classical position?

Yes, the saddle meant I was in a good position, and the stirrups were one hole shorter than I would have ridden in on a horse but great to say I had not ridden in a long time. Without a saddle they felt nothing at all like riding, but with one and using it on the lowest setting I could re-establish an independent seat.

I only really used it on the lowest setting, like a brisk walk. At first my lower leg was swinging and my hands were not still. but after a while I could have a still leg and hand, but a lot of movement in my hips. Having to be independent did build up my core strength, but as it was a regular movement I would not build grip strength per-se for unpredictable moments.

I did, many years ago, have a couple of sessions on a proper mechanical horse, and like another poster, it seemed to be a loot of "good, well done" and I did not feel that I achieved so much. I have recommended them to complete novices to get an initial feel, and to people who need a particular fault eradicating with hands on help, but for me I just wanted to get a head start in riding fitness.

OH thought it was hilarious!

 

[paddy555]

Yes, the saddle meant I was in a good position, and the stirrups were one hole shorter than I would have ridden in on a horse but great to say I had not ridden in a long time. Without a saddle they felt nothing at all like riding, but with one and using it on the lowest setting I could re-establish an independent seat.

I only really used it on the lowest setting, like a brisk walk. At first my lower leg was swinging and my hands were not still. but after a while I could have a still leg and hand, but a lot of movement in my hips. Having to be independent did build up my core strength, but as it was a regular movement I would not build grip strength per-se for unpredictable moments.

I did, many years ago, have a couple of sessions on a proper mechanical horse, and like another poster, it seemed to be a loot of "good, well done" and I did not feel that I achieved so much. I have recommended them to complete novices to get an initial feel, and to people who need a particular fault eradicating with hands on help, but for me I just wanted to get a head start in riding fitness.

OH thought it was hilarious!

thanks for all that. It looks quite fun. I would have to hide it, OH rides daily and I cannot imagine his expression if he saw me on one of these. He thinks my saddle stool is ridiculous enough.

 

[Courbette]

I think they are great but agree with everybody else that they are only as good as the instructor you are using it with.

Having said that I’ve been struggling in canter with the RL horse and had ago on one in canter outside of a lesson and just being able to play around with my position in canter without causing the horse to change rhythm or break to trot was invaluable even without an instructor.

 

[ihatework]

They aren’t all equal, both horse and instruction.

I used a couple of different ones when I was competing and refining my seat. I went to the ride with your mind place and was didn’t gain much from it - the instruction was wooley and you didn’t get any real time feedback off the horse.

I had a much more productive series of lessons with a RC instructor who was very good at almost doing horse Pilates - plus the horse had a computer screen in front of you with very clear visual cues in real time - I got huge amounts out of those sessions

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I had a session on a mechanical horse this year. It was not cheap but I found it useful as it was so sensitive to my position. I wanted help with my jumping position and initially when I got back on a RL horse it helped having jumped on the mechanical one and not having to worry about anything other than my position. I was keen to go back for another lesson but haven't got around to it yet. It is no substitute for the real thing and a decent instructor on the ground

 

[Tiddlypom]

I found that a course of six mechanical horse sessions was very helpful when I was getting back into horses after a three year break from riding. My instructor drove me hard, I was knackered after a half hour session! I took my own saddle.

I once followed on from some mounted police (GMP, I think), who’d been sent there as a refresher to refine their positions. They came out buzzing and had clearly got a lot from the sessions - I’m pretty sure that they would have been scathing if it was woolly teaching.

ETA I remember that the instructor told me that she had had to command their respect from the beginning, as they were initially pretty dubious about the sessions and how much they could get out of them.

 

[Trouper]

Am following this with interest as would love to find a "good" mechanical horse - Midlands based. Had a session on a basic one some years ago but did not get much out of it as the gaits were not very realistic. It seems that the ones incorporating a computer screen give you the best feedback. Recommendations please!!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

having watched it I can understand about the curtains.
does it feel like a horse walking? did you just sit your saddle on top or tie it on in some way? Was there enough distance between the seat and the ground to keep your feet off the floor? I am quite intrigued by them, there seem to be lots for sale on e bay pretty cheap.
Looking at them they seem to put you in the farmers hunt type seat, did your dressage saddle mean that you were more in a classical position?

I have one. It's had to be built up on bricks to get my feet off the floor. Mine is in a spare stable, so not visible to neighbours, thank goodness! With a spare saddle on it puts me in the correct position. It's not exactly like a real horse's movement but it helps to strengthen your core and it is similar to a full size mechanical horse movement.

 

[paddy555]

I have one. It's had to be built up on bricks to get my feet off the floor. Mine is in a spare stable, so not visible to neighbours, thank goodness! With a spare saddle on it puts me in the correct position. It's not exactly like a real horse's movement but it helps to strengthen your core and it is similar to a full size mechanical horse movement.

thanks, I hadn't thought of bricks. It appears no one wants to be seen on these.

 

[ElleSkywalker]

Am following this with interest as would love to find a "good" mechanical horse - Midlands based. Had a session on a basic one some years ago but did not get much out of it as the gaits were not very realistic. It seems that the ones incorporating a computer screen give you the best feedback. Recommendations please!!

Equipilates HQ is in Ripley Derbyshire

 

[ls0311]

Thanks so much everyone, this has been really helpful. The one nearest me doesn't have a screen so this has made me think that maybe I should look a bit further away.

If anyone can recommend any in or near Sussex please do!

 

[Red-1]

thanks, I hadn't thought of bricks. It appears no one wants to be seen on these.

With mine being indoors I do have a double set of interior glass doors that act as a mirror next to it. I can correct my side on view in that. OH once made me hold a pair of full wine glasses whilst riding it, that made me keep my hands still .

I don't doubt that an expert lesson would be better, but as the 2nd hand one cost less than one lesson, and had daily use when I was prepping to ride again, it seemed like a bargain.

I didn't tie the saddle on, but when OH had a go, the machine bucked him off .

 

[Pearlsasinger]

With mine being indoors I do have a double set of interior glass doors that act as a mirror next to it. I can correct my side on view in that. OH once made me hold a pair of full wine glasses whilst riding it, that made me keep my hands still .

I don't doubt that an expert lesson would be better, but as the 2nd hand one cost less than one lesson, and had daily use when I was prepping to ride again, it seemed like a bargain.

I didn't tie the saddle on, but when OH had a go, the machine bucked him off .

My saddle just sits on top of the machine's seat, no fastenings. It hasn't moved but it does sound as if mine is better mannered than Red-1's!

 

[Red-1]

My saddle just sits on top of the machine's seat, no fastenings. It hasn't moved but it does sound as if mine is better mannered than Red-1's!

Mine behaves for me, it was OH who the mechanical horse took a dislike to!

 

[paddy555]

With mine being indoors I do have a double set of interior glass doors that act as a mirror next to it. I can correct my side on view in that. OH once made me hold a pair of full wine glasses whilst riding it, that made me keep my hands still .

I don't doubt that an expert lesson would be better, but as the 2nd hand one cost less than one lesson, and had daily use when I was prepping to ride again, it seemed like a bargain.

I didn't tie the saddle on, but when OH had a go, the machine bucked him off .

hope you didn't waste good wine! I wondered if one would keep your back supple as you get older. That sort of rocking movement of your spine/hips as you are riding at a walk which always seems to loosen a tight back.

 

[paddy555]

Mine behaves for me, it was OH who the mechanical horse took a dislike to!

my OH can ride anything so it would be hilarious if it took a dislike to him and chucked him off. That would just be soooo funny. He would never hear the end of it.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

As above only as good as the instructor and the type of mechanical horse. I had one on quite a basic model some years ago and didn’t think it was worth it.

 

[Red-1]

hope you didn't waste good wine! I wondered if one would keep your back supple as you get older. That sort of rocking movement of your spine/hips as you are riding at a walk which always seems to loosen a tight back.

Noooo, no wine wasted ,it was a bit worrying though as you hold it over the electric panel so plenty of reasons not to drop any.

It did loosen me up and get me moving in harmony again, instead of rocking in one piece. Initially I was not supple enough to keep my legs still while my hips rocked, but as I suppled up and got a stronger core I could manage the movement with still feet.

It is very basic, and IME only useful for a strident walk, the higher paces are more akin to a jack hammer than a horse!

 

[paddy555]

Noooo, no wine wasted ,it was a bit worrying though as you hold it over the electric panel so plenty of reasons not to drop any.

It did loosen me up and get me moving in harmony again, instead of rocking in one piece. Initially I was not supple enough to keep my legs still while my hips rocked, but as I suppled up and got a stronger core I could manage the movement with still feet.

It is very basic, and IME only useful for a strident walk, the higher paces are more akin to a jack hammer than a horse!

thanks, good to hear the wine was OK. Important to get the priorities right!