Horse Movement Simulators

[Pete]

As suggested, we are indeed working on the concept.  Such an animal exists, but is expensive.  We are making approaches to take on the project and commercialise it.
More over the coming months on this one, but in the meantime I'd encourage anyone and everyone to make comment and suggestion - what would people pay for it, is it a good idea for riding schools,  would EE teachers use them at home, what cost is bearable - I'd estimate around $5000 at present....  

Over to you!

Peter

[Cobstar]

Hi Pete

I think £5k is going to be too costly for those EE teachers working freelance - particularly those with a different day job.  Obviously larger riding schools may be better placed to find this sort of money.  I suppose it might be possible to work out something whereby a number of teachers in one region could have access to a machine to use on an ad hoc basis - ie split the cost.

At one time Heather was talking about developing a home-exercise version of the simulators which would be cheaper.  I was hoping that would be significantly cheaper.

[Mossy]

I find the simulator invaluable. My sitting trot is appalling due to being taught wrong and my stiffness. On a live animal by the time I have worked out what my body is supposed to be doing I have blocked the horse and the poor thing has changed it's rhythym to compensate. This throws me out etc etc... The simulator does not have nerves so can put up with my geriatric bounces when I loose the plot. imho all riding schools should have one as they are worth hours on a horse and save the poor horse as well. However £5k is not cheap. Could the ee organisation gradually fund regional simulators maybe? Pupils could travel to them and all that is needed is a weather tight space.  

[Possum]

A regional simulator would be an excellent idea - it would probably need one person to BUY it - and then to hire it out...