Build skills. Grow confidence. Get ready to ride.
Rider Readiness provides a calm, controlled environment where participants can explore and practise the foundations of riding with Courage, our handcrafted Equicizer.
Without the unpredictability of a live horse, there is time to focus on position, balance, posture, coordination, mounting and dismounting, rein skills and confidence — at a pace that suits the individual.
Whether someone is preparing to ride for the first time, returning after time away, or simply wants more time to develop their skills, Courage provides a welcoming place to begin.
LEARNING WITH COURAGE
Time to learn before adding the horse.
Learning to ride involves much more than simply sitting in a saddle. Riders are asked to balance, coordinate their body, understand instructions, use their hands and legs, remember new skills and respond to a horse — often all at the same time.
Courage allows us to slow that process down.
With no need to manage the reactions of a live horse, participants can take their time, repeat activities and become familiar with riding skills in a calm and supportive environment.
POSITION, BALANCE & COORDINATION
Finding your place in the saddle
Activities with Courage can encourage participants to explore posture, balance, coordination and body awareness while becoming comfortable with the feel of sitting astride a horse.
Sessions can include reaching, turning, changing position and other activities adapted to the participant's abilities and goals.
PRACTICAL RIDER SKILLS
Learning the foundations
Participants can become familiar with practical riding skills such as mounting and dismounting, holding and using reins, adjusting their position and following riding instructions.
Skills can be introduced gradually and repeated as often as needed — without worrying about the horse becoming impatient.
Making the unfamiliar feel familiar
CONFIDENCE & FAMILIARITY
For someone who is new to horses, returning to riding, or unsure about being in the saddle, having time to practise can make a big difference.
Courage provides an opportunity to become familiar with riding equipment, movements and instructions before progressing to a live horse, if that is the participant's goal.
A CALM PLACE TO LEARN
Less to manage. More time to learn.
Real horses are wonderful teachers — but they also move, react and have minds of their own.
For a new or developing rider, that can mean there is a lot happening at once.
With Courage, the experience can be slowed down, stopped and repeated. Participants can concentrate on one skill at a time without needing to manage a live horse at the same time.
For people who find busy equestrian environments overwhelming, the more predictable setting may also make learning feel more comfortable and achievable.
Rider Readiness may suit:
people preparing to ride a live horse for the first time
beginner riders wanting extra time to practise foundational skills
people returning to riding after time away
participants who benefit from learning at a slower or more individual pace
people who may find some aspects of a traditional riding environment challenging
riders wanting to work on position, balance, coordination or confidence
equestrian programs looking for an additional teaching and preparation tool
READY TO GET STARTED?
Meet Courage and discover Rider Readiness.
Whether you're preparing for your first riding experience, returning to the saddle or looking for a different way to build your riding skills and confidence, we'd love to hear from you.
Tell us a little about the rider and what you'd like to work towards, and we can discuss whether Rider Readiness could be a good fit.