Meet Courage
The horse at the heart of Go Gallop
Courage is an Equicizer — a handcrafted mechanical horse designed to move through the movement of the person riding him.
Unlike an electronic riding simulator, Courage doesn't need electricity or a motor. His movement is created by his rider, allowing participants to explore movement, balance, coordination and riding skills at their own pace.
And because Courage doesn't need a stable or paddock, he can go places a real horse simply can't.
No feeding. No mucking out. Plenty of personality.
WHAT IS AN EQUICIZER?
A mechanical horse with a difference
The Equicizer is a handcrafted mechanical horse originally developed to assist jockeys with training and rehabilitation.
Over the years, its potential has been recognised far beyond racing. Equicizers are now used internationally in riding instruction, exercise and rider fitness, adaptive riding, equine-assisted activities and professional settings.
Unlike powered horse simulators, the Equicizer responds to movement generated by the person riding it.
This creates an interactive experience — when you move, Courage moves with you.
HOW DOES COURAGE MOVE?
You move. Courage moves.
There's no motor hidden inside Courage.
His movement comes from you.
As the rider begins to move their body, Courage responds with a gentle rocking motion. As coordination and rhythm develop, the movement can become increasingly fluid.
You move → Courage moves → Together you find the rhythm.
And when the rider stops?
Courage stops too.
This allows participants to explore movement at their own pace, pause when they need to and repeat activities as often as required.
WHY COURAGE?
A different way to experience horse-inspired movement
Predictable
Courage doesn't spook, shy or suddenly change direction, providing a consistent environment in which participants can concentrate on themselves and the activity.
Participant-led
Courage's movement is generated by the rider, creating a unique relationship between body movement and response.
Adaptable
Activities, positioning and equipment can be adapted to suit different participants, abilities and goals.
Repeatable
An activity can be practised again and again without worrying about tiring or frustrating a live horse.
Mobile
Courage doesn't need a stable or paddock. Go Gallop can bring him to suitable schools, organisations, equestrian centres, community venues and private locations.
No electricity required
Courage is completely mechanical, making him remarkably versatile in where he can be used.
MOVEMENT, THE BODY & THE BRAIN
Why horse-inspired movement is so interesting
There's something fascinating about what happens when we sit astride and begin to move.
Movement requires the body and brain to work together — processing changes in position, balance, rhythm and spatial awareness while continually making small adjustments.
This is one reason movement-based activities can be so engaging.
For some participants, particularly those who process sensory information differently, a predictable and repeatable movement experience may provide an interesting environment for exploring body awareness, attention, coordination and participation.
Courage allows that exploration to happen without the additional unpredictability, sounds, smells and behaviour of a live horse.
Importantly, Courage's movement is not the same as the three-dimensional walking movement of a live horse, and Go Gallop does not claim that Equicizer sessions reproduce the clinical effects of hippotherapy.
AUTISM, HORSES & MOVEMENT
Why this area interests us
Research into therapeutic activities involving horses has explored possible effects on areas including movement, sensory processing, engagement and social functioning for some autistic children.
Hippotherapy is one example.
Hippotherapy is not a riding lesson. It is a clinical intervention in which appropriately qualified health professionals use the movement of a live horse as part of an individual treatment plan.
The walking horse creates rhythmic, three-dimensional movement that requires the rider's body to continually respond and adjust.
Research into hippotherapy and other therapeutic horse-based interventions is encouraging, but Courage is not a live horse and an Equicizer session at Go Gallop is not hippotherapy.
So why is this relevant to Courage?
Because it helps explain why researchers and professionals are interested in the relationship between movement, balance, sensory experiences, attention and participation.
Courage offers something different: a predictable, repeatable and rider-generated horse-inspired movement experience.
For some autistic and neurodivergent participants, removing some of the unpredictability associated with a live horse may provide another way to become comfortable with the experience of sitting astride, moving, learning and participating.
Every autistic person is different.
There is no single activity or approach that will suit everyone, so Go Gallop focuses on the individual rather than the diagnosis.
COURAGE & ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Another tool for professionally led sessions
Equicizers can also be incorporated into activities led by appropriately qualified allied health and other professionals.
An occupational therapist, physiotherapist or other suitably qualified practitioner may, for example, choose to incorporate an Equicizer into a professionally designed session where it is appropriate for their client's individual goals.
In these circumstances, the treating professional remains responsible for clinical assessment, treatment decisions and therapeutic goals.
Go Gallop can provide access to Courage and Julie's equestrian knowledge while working alongside the treating professional.
Go Gallop does not provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hippotherapy or other clinical allied health treatment.
Health professionals interested in exploring the possibilities of working with Courage are welcome to contact us.
WATCH EQUICIZERS IN ACTION
See how Equicizers are being used in different settings around the world.
HOW EQUICIZERS ARE USED AROUND THE WORLD
One mechanical horse. Many possibilities.
Equicizers are used internationally across a wide variety of settings.
The following examples describe uses of Equicizers generally and do not mean that Go Gallop provides clinical therapy or treatment.
Adaptive Riding & Inclusive Participation
Equicizers can provide an alternative environment for people who may find accessing or initially participating in traditional riding activities difficult.
Participants can become familiar with sitting astride, equipment, position, reins and movement without simultaneously having to manage a live horse.
For some people, this may provide a useful stepping stone towards future experiences with horses.
With no motor or electricity required, activities can be adapted to suit the individual, their goals and their abilities.
The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Image courtesy of Equicizer.
Allied Health & Equine-Assisted Professionals
Appropriately qualified professionals may incorporate Equicizers into their own programs or professionally led sessions.
The Equicizer provides a predictable piece of equipment that can be used in different ways according to the professional's expertise and the individual's goals.
Image courtesy of Equicizer.
"Ideas How The Equicizer is Used in Therapeutic Riding Programs" video
Equestrians
Sometimes it's easier to work on the rider when you don't also have to manage the horse.
Courage provides riders with an opportunity to concentrate on their own position, balance, coordination, rhythm, rein skills and body awareness.
This can be useful for beginners learning fundamental skills, nervous riders rebuilding confidence and experienced riders wanting to concentrate on their own position and movement.
Movement & Rider Fitness
Riders can also use an Equicizer to explore posture, coordination, balance, movement and riding-specific fitness.
Courage can be ridden bareback, with a bareback pad or with suitable saddlery depending on the participant and activity.
COURAGE DOESN'T REPLACE A REAL HORSE
He provides another starting point
There's something extraordinarily special about being around a real horse.
The relationship, warmth, personality and connection between horse and human cannot — and shouldn't — be replicated by a machine.
Courage isn't here to replace that.
Instead, he creates another way in.
For someone who feels nervous around horses, Courage can provide time to become comfortable with riding concepts.
For a beginner, he provides an opportunity to practise.
For someone who may find a traditional equestrian environment difficult to access, he provides another way to experience horse-inspired movement.
For an experienced rider, he provides an opportunity to focus entirely on themselves.
And for some people, Courage may become a stepping stone towards meeting and riding a live horse.
Courage doesn't replace the horse. He opens another door to the equestrian world.
HOW GO GALLOP USES COURAGE
Movement. Learning. Confidence. Fun.
While Equicizers have many applications around the world, Go Gallop focuses on inclusive horse-inspired movement, learning, confidence and rider development.
Julie's experience across equestrian coaching, disability support, allied health assistance and equine facilitated learning informs the way activities are approached, while remaining within the scope of the services Go Gallop provides.
Rider Readiness
Explore riding position, reins, movement, basic skills and confidence before or alongside experiences with live horses.
Mobile & School Programs
Courage comes to you for engaging and inclusive horse-inspired learning and movement experiences.
Horse-inspired activities encouraging confidence, connection, communication, self-awareness and learning.
Equimotional
Frequently asked questions
Does Courage need electricity?
No. Courage is completely mechanical and his movement is generated by the rider.
Is Courage an electronic horse simulator?
No. Unlike powered riding simulators, there is no motor creating Courage's movement.
Can adults ride Courage?
Courage can accommodate both children and adults, subject to individual suitability and appropriate equipment, with a maximum rider weight of 200 kg.
Can you put a saddle on Courage?
Yes. Courage can be used with suitable saddlery and equipment depending on the participant and activity.
Does Courage replace riding a real horse?
No. Courage provides a different experience. He can be used for learning, practising and horse-inspired movement and may help some people prepare for experiences with live horses.
Is riding Courage hippotherapy?
No. Hippotherapy is a clinical intervention involving the movement of a live horse and is delivered by appropriately qualified health professionals.
Can allied health professionals use Courage with their clients?
Potentially, yes.
Go Gallop welcomes enquiries from appropriately qualified professionals interested in incorporating Courage into their own professionally led activities. Suitability would need to be considered for the individual participant and proposed activity.
Is Courage suitable for autistic participants?
Potentially.
Every autistic person is different, so suitability depends on the individual rather than their diagnosis.
One advantage of Courage is the predictability of the environment. Activities can be introduced gradually, paused and repeated, allowing participants time to become familiar with Courage and the experience.
READY TO MEET COURAGE?
He'd love to meet you.
You don't necessarily need to come to Courage.
Courage can come to you.
Go Gallop provides mobile programs for individuals, schools, disability services, community organisations and equestrian groups at suitable locations.
Whether you're enquiring for yourself, your child, someone you support or an organisation, tell us a little about what you're looking for and we'll explore whether Courage could be a good fit.