Flying Changes Equestrian offers private lessons using a state-of-the-art Racewood Dressage Pro horseback riding simulator named "Pilot". Pilot is capable of regular gates through Grand Prix movements. Walk, trot, canter, piaffe, and everything in between, think of Pilot as a well-oiled schoolmaster who is happy to maintain a consistent gait for as long as you need to learn.
Whether trying horseback riding for the first time, working on your riding position, increasing your riding fitness, or coming back from an injury, Pilot provides a safe and consistent environment for riders of any discipline to improve their riding.
Combining Pilot's leg, seat, and rein sensors with classical biomechanics-focused training, our lessons help you target and improve your proprioception, feel, and harmony with your horse. Our riders have found that having a horse willing to stay in a consistent gait while making adjustments to their seat and position not only helps them find the correct position but also helps them develop the muscle memory needed keep it.
It takes 20 hours of focused practice to develop basic competence in new skill; Pilot is happy to trot all twenty of them if that is what you need!
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We're super excited to introduce you to Pilot and help you with your riding challenges!
What are the benefits of simulated horseback riding?
There are numerous benefits to supplementing or starting your riding journey on Pilot:
Learning to ride or breaking riding habits can be challenging and feel wrong or awkward at first. Pilot provides a consistent and predictable learning experience. Pilot will never spook, buck, bolt, or protest so you can safely concentrate on learning or making adjustments to your riding.
Pilot will not get anxious if you get nervous; he will calmly maintain the same gait and tempo while you try new things and develop your proprioception.
Pilot allows you to practice motions repeatedly without tiring or frustrating the horse, so you can develop the muscle memory you need to improve your riding.
Pilot is the only way to get hands on riding position instruction and adjustments while the horse is moving.
Pilot allows the use of training tools, techniques, and/or exercises that may not be as safe on a horse (Franklin balls, resistance bands, weights, etc.).
If your horse is injured, Pilot offers the opportunity to stay in riding shape while giving your horse all the recovery time he/she needs.
If you are injured, Pilot can offer a way to safely stay in the saddle while you recover.
Interactive sensors provide real-time feedback on your seat, legs, and hands making it easier to recognize and correct even the subtlest imbalances.
You can see your riding position as you ride providing you visual cues to help you improve your riding position.