Mechanical Horses?

[Pikachu]

Ok, may sound a bit thick here but.....how do they work? Are they super machines that can instantly tell you what you are doing wrong and give print outs and stuff or, are they just like normal riding and someone tells you what you are doing wrong by observing?

The reason being, i always feel like im sitting left, always! My stirrups are level, i've had the chiropractor look at me and the horse, i was tense on the left and need another session, but everyone who watches me says im level, so wondered if this would give me the answer once and for all. However, i feel i may be misunderstanding them and thinking they are something they are not.

So could someone please explain them to me, or give experiences if you've used one.

Thanks
Jeni

 

[dianchi]

Depends which type you do.

There is a place a friend of mine went tweeks ago, the canter sessions you have to make the horse canter by doing the correct seat position and movement. Otherwise it just stops.

But there is a "teacher" who watches you ride and corrects you. Its just easier as you dont move from the same spot so they can keep you under close supervision!

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

They give you a print out of your balance left-right and back-front and all sorts of other things. I want a go on one of them.

 

[HelsB]

I am interested to know which ones do all this too

 

[mrogers]

THEY ARE SOOO HARD!!!!!!!

I couldnt even get it to trot right, was really pissed off that my 9 yo non riding cousin did better than me

 

[Pikachu]

Ok, so there are different types! Do the different types have names or does it just depend where you go and who you get? Sorry, for all the questions, just want something a bit more solid to put in google

 

[Pikachu]

Ah, see the balance stuff would be what i'd need as it would show the sitting to the left (if i do that is, and its not all in my head

). Do you know where any that do that are?

 

[cob1]

I went on a walk/trot/canter one at Croft End EC in Oldham last year - was fab!! It went from the aids (leg and hands) but wasnt one that analyses your seat & balance etc.

I found it Ideal for lots of no stirrups work to deepen your seat, especailly when you are less experienced!! I had an instructor for it as well, and they have lots of mirrors so you can look at yourself and see what the instructor means when he/she is correcting you.

 

[Jules19]

Ashen Equestrian Centre in Suffolk have one of the sort you are after I think, but could be a bit far away for you. If you Google them though I think there is a section on their website all about the simulator which may help in your search for others. I would love to have a go but am too chicken to take the criticism!

 

[cob1]

There is one near Amersham i think (cant remeber name of the EC thou, think it was Shardloe Farm or summit), tried to get a lesson when i was on Business in London but they couldnt fit me in.

 

[Bossanova]

There is a huge range of styles and they vary widely in how accurate the movement is.

At home my sister teaches on ours which is a basic horse shaped moving object. It has 2 different types of trot and a canter. It is rare in that it can also build up a sideways swing so you can really influence the machine with your seat. It has no pressure sensors.
But surround it with mirrors and have an excellent instructor watching you and it is a very valuable tool.

Others give print outs and have sensors and you can aid them but how effective these are without a good instructor about too I dont know...

 

[Pikachu]

Ooh thanks. One like that may be beneficial to me too, although i think im backwards to most people, have no issue with sitting trot, its rising that stumps me. As soon as i rise, i grip with my knees, bring my leg up and on, therefore bringing my heals up, tip forwards and can't even make a horse trot a decent 20m circle, but as soon as i sit its all fine. So one like that may help with my balance at rising maybe?

Not sure if im keen on the mirrors thing, im not a small person....understatement! Ah see, that brings another question, do they have weight limits

 

[cob1]

A friend went with me who was 17st and it was fine.

 

[mintaka04]

These sound fab!
Anyone know if there is one in Scotland? I'd love a lesson to sort out my position. (Pikachu, I share your problems...)

I thought that the only one of these machines available was with Heather Moffatt, but that's rather far away for me.

 

[Abracadabjar]

OOOO now that sounds just what i need at the mo, Im so tense I cant relax and need to sort that out before i send bad vibes to my girl.

Does anyone know if there is one in Surrey at all??

 

[Abracadabjar]

OOOOOOOOOO just found one in Plumpton and chobham, not to far from me YEAY

 

[Bossanova]

[ QUOTE ]


OOOOOOOOOO just found one in Plumpton, not to far from me YEAY

[/ QUOTE ]

Was just about to suggest Plumpton. Make sure you have a decent instructor though

 

[hellyt1]

i've been to the one in Chobham, it's one of the basic ones and the canter is not at all realistic. it is handy if you have a good instructor for position tho.

 

[Pikachu]

Hi All

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all your replies (sorry for delay, only get lunch hour to come on here), i now have lots to keep Google occupied for a while. And from the replies about there being different types, it seems i may benefit from all of them so a good look into them is required.

Especially after my "schooling" session last night, i didn't realise how much my position does affect him, took my stirrups away and had a lovely free moving horse, as apposed to the stilted one i had been riding a few minutes earlier that i was having doubts about being sound.

Thanks again
Jeni