He added: 'I'm basically an engineer and I don't really ride a real horse but I have always wanted to ride through the Rocky Mountains. Mr Greenwood, 55, said that he planned to introduce real landscapes to ride through. 'The simulators are not only great for learning and practising, they are great fun - in fact they are quite addictive.' The company sold a simulator to an American woman living in Washington state who was told that because of her brittle ones she should not ride a real horse again in case she fell off. 'Lots of people buy them so they can practice when they couldn't go out. 'And vets bills and food and stable costs are definitely higher than our electricity bills. 'Before you ride a real horse it may take an hour to get ready whereas our simulators are so convenient - you can just take them for a ride straight away in the digital environment. 'You can only ride a real horse in a dressage situation for an hour or so and then the horse gets tired. There are all sorts of ways in which the simulator is better than a real horse. All movements are mathematically correct.' Mr Greenwood added: 'It is extremely sophisticated. The publicity material states: 'The neck is movable and the leg aids are detected by 'on the girth' and 'behind the girth' sensors. The 'horse' is described as being perfectly schooled and capable of doing advanced movements such as 'medium trot, medium canter, lateral work and rein back'.

'We also sell to Scandinavian countries where the weather is miserable and raining and to Dubai where it's 40 degrees centigrade and too hot to ride.' Racewood Simulators, based in the village Tarporley, Cheshire, says the Ridemaster Pro simulates a real 15.2 hands high (5ft 2ins), medium-build horse.Ĭreature comforts: Unlike a real horse, owners do not have to budget for food, horseshoes or stable fees, and can go riding in the dry, warm environment of their house. 'You don't need the space or a dressage arena because it's not physically going anywhere - you can put it in a small room or in a garden shed. 'With one of our simulators you can ride at any time of day in a centrally heated or air-conditioned environment. The Ridemaster Pro, which is made by Racewood Simulators, is proving a hit with those who live in cities or who want to ride but don't want to brave the elements.ĭesigner and company managing director Bill Greenwood said: 'Private individuals buy them who don't have space for a horse in central London.

At £40,000, the virtual reality machine allows the user to 'ride' in the comfort of their own home Horse play: The Ridemaster Pro is the ultimate rocking horse.

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