Frequently Asked Questions
WHO IS THE SIMULATOR FOR? The EQUI-RIDE Simulator is suitable for all riders – whether you are an established competition rider or a complete beginner. It is ideal for new riders to develop their skills whilst building confidence in a more controlled environment. Maybe you are a nervous rider or are coming back to riding after a fall, the EQUI-RIDE Simulator can help you build your confidence and regain riding fitness. The simulator does not buck, spook or rear and therefore, provides a safe and steady feel. It also has a Stop Button! For more experienced riders, the EQUI-RIDE Simulator can be used to improve position, balance and timing in more complex lateral movements allowing you to focus 100% on you, without thinking about training the horse too.
DOES THE SIMULATOR RIDE LIKE A REAL HORSE? Absolutely! The EQUI-RIDE Simulator moves in 3 gaits – walk, trot and canter – just like a real horse – The simulator bends and flexes through the neck while responding to aids given through your leg, seat and hands.
I'M NEW TO RIDING & NERVOUS, HOW WILL THE SIMULATOR HELP ME? The EQUI-RIDE Simulator is a great way to prepare you for riding a horse for the first time. It mimics a horse’s movement and feel very accurately to help you to learn about balance and how to exert control without having contend with the sometimes unpredictable reactions of a real horse. When you then ride a horse it will be a much more familiar experience giving you that added confidence.
WILL MY NEW SIMULATOR SKILLS HELP ME ON MY HORSE? Of course! Everything that is learned on the EQUI-RIDE Simulator will be transferrable, as muscle memory is developed during the sessions. When on a real horse, riders are then able to perform aids more instinctively rather than actively thinking about what to do. For the accomplished rider, it gives the opportunity to develop without having to train the horse at the same time.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED TO SEE AN IMPROVEMENT? Clearly each client is different, everyone varies in ability, fitness and confidence. The instant feedback provided on the EQUI-RIDE Simulator allows riders to improve quickly. Alongside this, our qualified instructors are able to provide relevant exercises to accelerate learning. Depending on your goal, a significant improvement can usually be seen in 3-5 sessions. For riders looking to learn new movements such as leg-yield and shoulder-in the EQUI-RIDE Simulator provides a pathway to the correct way of going, We also find that riders, both beginners and experienced riders, like to have regular practice sessions to maintain fitness and continue improvements.
I'M AN EXPERIENCED DRESSAGE RIDER, HOW WILL THE SIMULATOR HELP ME? The EQUI-RIDE Simulator can benefit all levels of rider as it offers a bespoke programme of training which is tailored to each individual’s needs. All riders can develop unwanted habits that they may often be unaware of. The EQUI-RIDE highlights the rider’s positional faults using sophisticated sensors and will only respond to clear aids therefore ensuring that the more experienced rider irons out any inaccuracies. It also gives you the chance to practice advanced movements such as flying changes, passage & piaffe using intense repetition which would not be possible on a real horse.
CAN I LEARN AND PRACTICE LATERAL MOVEMENTS ON THE SIMULATOR? Yes. The EQUI-RIDE Simulator is an advanced piece of equipment with state of the art sensors that enable you to practise any lateral movements that you would ride in your usual lessons. The Simulator can perform lateral movements from the lower levels of dressage all the way up to Grand Prix. You can learn how to ride new movements correctly without having to think about the reactions of a real horse.
WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE SIMULATORS CAPERBILITIES? The EQUI-RIDE Simulator is the most advanced equestrian simulator, capable of simulating everything from authentic Grand Prix dressage movements like Piaffe and Passage to jumping grid work and tackling technical combinations on cross-country courses. Equipped with cutting-edge motion control technology, it can replicate jumps up to 4 feet in height and moves in ways no other simulator can match.
HOW WILL THE EQUI-RIDE SIMULATOR HELP ME WITH MY JUMPING? Practise Jumping within a safe and controlled environment. Learn to spot the stride of the horse by collecting or extending the stride pattern ahead of each jump. Additional features include 'never ending jumps'; Instructors can vary the distance between jumps and change the type & height of each jump.
DOES THE SIMULATOR HELP WITH MY BALANCE? Balance and position in the saddle is displayed on screen - this allows the instructor to analyse and assess what a rider is doing, using information also collected from the rein sensors and leg sensors.