Mechanical Horse/Simulator?

[iconique]

Who's had a lesson on one of these simulator things?
Did you enjoy it
Was it worthwhile?
Why?

 

[splashgirl45]

i did about 7 years ago and found it very useful to correct my position without having to think about what the horse was doing. i enjoyed it but it wasnt cheap, was def worth going though

 

[Cavalier]

I had a lesson on one as a Christmas present. It was excellent, well worth the money though I guess that depends on the instructor

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I had a course of about 6 lessons as rehab after a broken ankle, to develop my riding muscles again. it worked a treat.

 

[trina1982]

I've had a number of them and find them very helpful. Theres always something to tweak, a body part to work on and all without having to worry about the horse. OP, judging by your location (Essex) if you are looking to visit Ashen EC then go for it. You won't regret it, Becky is brilliant and top notch with Biomechanics. There were a few people in Comp riders on here that went to her and wrote a report.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=507571&highlight=suffolk+simulator

Trina x

 

[micki]

I've been wondering about these for my daughter to get her going again. Just don't know of any in my area.

 

[miss_wilson]

I had a lesson before christmas on one in Cheshire, i thought it was brilliant for improving you position and showing your flaws, not cheap though was £35 for 1/2 hour

 

[Nicnac]

Yes - bought a lesson for a friend for Christmas and had a lesson too (rude not to )

Great fun - we were able to practice aids for more advanced dressage moves and learn the exact angles of the head and neck required. It's a bit like a Pilates session in that you use muscles you didn't know you had and ached like mad the next day.

You also get print outs of exactly how you sit, which side is stronger, how central your seat bones are etc. so really useful to correct balance too.

Really comfortable horse and saddle and good instruction (Wildwoods in Surrey)

Both felt a bit as we talked to the horse called Trojan and patted him - old habits....

 

[iconique]

Thanks, was thinking of Ashen, but wanted to see if it was worth it.
Like the idea of being able to correct without affecting the horse.
Am going to email to find out about dates....

 

[karen_c]

Everyone else has beaten me to it with recommendations but I'd say definitely give it a go - been having classical dressage lessons with new instructor and working a lot on my position and this really helped me to get my head round what she meant. I thought she was getting me to hold my hands miles up in the air but it actually looks spot on...we also discovered my unruly left leg, which has a habit of sneaking out of position and found some tricks to help me control it.

Go for it!

 

[BeesKnees]

Yep did the EE one. It was ok, but a group course so didn't get very long. And the instructor seemed more interested in chatting than actually helping me.

 

[PortuguesePony]

ROFL! Yes I've had a lesson with that "instructor" too BeesKnees. Teaching content was er, lacking ....(!)

As others have said, work on a simulator is great as you don't have to worry about the horse but there are simulator instructors and there are simulator instructors! I would go for one of the more modern simulators next time if I were going to book a lesson on one again, one of the ones with an inbuilt computer to tell you about weight distribution etc. The EE ones are very old fashioned ones, with no feedback for the "rider" except from the "instructor" ...

 

[redmone]

I've had one on "Troy" at our riding school!

Brilliant experience and will definately have another, it was a starting point for me getting back riding again.

And it half killed me!!!!!!! Most exercise Ive done in 10 years!!!

 

[BeesKnees]

ROFL! Yes I've had a lesson with that "instructor" too BeesKnees. Teaching content was er, lacking ....(!)

As others have said, work on a simulator is great as you don't have to worry about the horse but there are simulator instructors and there are simulator instructors! I would go for one of the more modern simulators next time if I were going to book a lesson on one again, one of the ones with an inbuilt computer to tell you about weight distribution etc. The EE ones are very old fashioned ones, with no feedback for the "rider" except from the "instructor" ...

thought it best not to name names!

The newer simulators do sound much better

 

[whorls]

Agree that ashen EC is fab - I found my sessions on strider were very useful - really want to go back soon!

 

[D66]

Is there a list of places with these simulators? or do I just google it?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I had a course of about 6 lessons as rehab after a broken ankle, to develop my riding muscles again. it worked a treat.

Very useful to know - have currently got cast on, so will contact local RS that has a mechanical horse to ask, as i have a green 5 yr old to get on when returning to ride who has been off work since I broke my leg.
Ta for the heads up

 

[wren123]

I had one on an old fashioned one with no input from horse only instructor, who was useless!! So choose carefully where you go. Pm if you want to know where I went to avoid.