Mechcanical horse benefits The basic Walk, Trot, Canter machine)

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gaggingtogallop

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Hello,

Please can some lovely people explain the benefits of using a mechanical horse and the reasons why. Also could anyone answer my other questions?


Do top riders use these and what are there thoughts?

What do riding instructors think about using them?

Are they just for low level riders?

What sort of things can be taught and learnt while using it?

Do you have lesson plans for teaching on a mechanical horse.

Are there any proven health benefits?

What exercises on this can you achieve?

Many thanks for reply's in advance :)
 
I had a mechanical horse lesson with a RWYM instructor last year, it was awesome. Definitely not just for beginners.

They have a screen infront of you that can show various things such as your weight distribution as you rise (e.g. weight on different areas of the saddle, weight in each stirrup), the exact position of your leg, the weight in each rein etc. Therefore you can really definitively see if, for example, you're twisting when you rise (as my friend did), if your lower leg is unsecured (as mine was), or if your contact is intermittent or whatever.

The mechanical horse can walk, trot, canter, piaffe, passage, half-pass, shoulder in, etc etc, and it responds based on the aids you give it. For example I learnt that my lower leg is quite uncontrolled as I had trouble keeping it in one pace.

You can set it to different modes, for example freestyle where you tell it to walk or trot or shoulder in or whatever, or you can try and do a dressage test, do training mode (e.g. stay in steady trot to work on your position) or whatever you like/need.

while it doesn't feel quite like an actual horse, and the rising trot is harder (i'd never realised how much an actual horse throws you out of the saddle), it's a really great way of learning and I'd certainly love to contnue to have a lesson maybe every six months or so on one, to check if I'm sitting straight, riding straight, consistency of aids etc etc.
 
I've used both the one with computer screen and the more basic one
obviously the computer one is much better. It tells you if you put more weight in one seat bone or use more pressure on one rein or leg
but even the basic one is good for average riders to practice on. You could for example work on your core muscles or balance. Two point seat is another good one

We have a basic one near Stafford

Also brilliant for anyone getting back into riding or complete beginners
there is a local 11year old girl who leant to ride on one therm combined it with the real things She rides amazingly well
 
A RS local to me has one.
Not one of their clients are allowed on a horse/pony there unless they have had a 30 min session on the mech horse.
This weeds out the fibbers who cannot ride after all, those who are really too heavy for the RS horses
Also complete beginners have a block of at least 5 or 6 lessons on the mech horse before progressing to the real thing.
RS has a waiting list, which is usually closed as is full - its very well thought of :)

Then the RC's etc often have special sessions on the mech horse for owner riders who want to improve. Nothing better than on a slashing wet winter night than sitting on a non-spooky horse and getting more toned, as well as learning :)
 
i have used the dressage simulator to iron out some bad habits but know a lot of very good dressage riders use it to address little issues. they are really good and i think you can do test riding on them.
 
There is one near me in Devon. I used it through BE training. I found it very useful to not have to worry about steering whilst focusing on my position. My hands are my weak point and whilst not heavy or harsh, the contact can be a little inconstant due to old habits. The mech horse I rode had a screen and could simulate all dressage movements including flying changes. It was great fun and I would definitely go again.
 
I tried one and it felt nothing like a horse! Too comfy, and far too easy to sit, but then perhaps I am just used to my TB's jackhammer trot ;)

I do like the idea of being able to work on my position without clumping around on some poor horse's back.
 
I originally had a course of 6 sessions, with an RI as rehab when I was recovering from a broken leg. Since then, I have had occasional sessions with a physio, to help to correct all those niggling injuries which I have acquired over 50 yrs of riding. It is great being able to just concentrate on myself without worrying about what the horse is doing.
 
I had an hours lesson on one last month. I think they have limited value. From the point of view of analysing my position, weight distribution and balance it was very useful. As far as teaching "riding" I think they are very limited. It doesn't ride like a horse does. I am used to using my body for transitions and use hands and legs very lightly. I had to use my hands and legs a lot stronger than I would normally, and as for lateral work, well it just didn't really.

I found it interesting, but no substitute for learning on a real, live horse.

Did anyone else pat it on the neck, click or tell it it was clever?
 
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