What role do you think technology has in the future of horses and training?

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shortstuff

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I know that all of you on here use Yahoo Answers as a tool for horse info and training, but I was wondering what your opinions are on how large of a roll technology will play in the future of horses. For example, online lessons where you send in videos and receive feedback from trainers, online contests run similarly, programed tracking and self assessment, smart phone application useage, etc.

I know there are a lot of people out there taking advantage of new technology, but I feel like the horse world is a bit behind...a lot of trainers think there is no value to a lot of these tools, and I want to know all of your opinions.

I have been recently working for a company building a website for horse trainers and owners (amateur through professional) to track progress, get exercises and training tips, comunicate with other riders, etc. I have found that some people love the idea, and others think it is a waste of time.

The website is www.unbridledrider.com, and I mentioned it once before on yahoo.

The features that I find most interesting about a site like this is the immediate feedback you can get through the Master Movement's application, the potential of a training forum, and the contest possibilites (right now there is a contest to win a free clinic with the author of the 101 Dressage Exercises). I am also interested in whether or not smart phones have a place in the horse world...do apps like "101 Dressage Exercises" and "EquiTempo" have a place in horse training, or are they just fads?

Finally, I know it may sound a bit like overt advertising (it kind of is, but I really would love your opinions and help with this project!) would any of you mind checking out www.unbridledrider.com and giving opinions on the site itself?

Thanks so much in advance.
 
Horses need Hands on.
Riding lessons, horse training, you can't do that on a computer.

Yes, you can get feedback and make dvds and stuff like that....but how many people have bought all the big name trainer DVDs and they STILL have trouble?

Why?

Because you can't learn about horse riding and horsemanship without being there in person with a trainer who can watch every move.

Video isn't the same thing as being there in person no matter how much you put into it....

Because horses require you to be there....be present...catch the details.

So, yes, videos are good and reading stuff on the internet for feedback is good.....but it's never going to 100% help or be better than or be equal to.....actual personal contact with horse and rider.

It's like saying why can't you learn to ski by playing a video game. You can learn all the moves, see what they look like, etc.... but until you are there in person doing it....feeling it....working on timing and feel of how to ski.....with a real life coach there to correct every little detail.....

it's just not the same and never will be.

I like to make videos for my clients that show them the steps that I taught them in their training lessons with their horses.....but even then, they benefit a lot more from real live one on one.

If video/internet/etc.... was really a big help, then people wouldn't need trainers at all. They'd just buy the DVDs and go online and get everything they needed from that. But they can't.
That's why trainers will always be needed.

So, yeah, technology is good, but horses aren't like computers. They haven't changed in centuries. They're still the same. Because of that, there's no need to get into technology. You just need to be present in person.
 
I went there after our prior email and found the site crisp, appealing and easy to navigate.
My concern was that suggestions for foundation training were done in text format with only dvds to buy as guides. I thought a quality video clip demonstrating the technique would be a great supplement. And you know me, I would suggest everyone do hip disengagements, shoulder overs, lateral movement, etc., all before anything else.

Your idea of submitting clips back to people to rate is superb. I think that this might come in overwhelming, tho, like the many kids who post here and ask: what do you think of my riding?
what do you think of my horse's conformation?, etc. You would have to find a way to limit that or else make it a subscription fee to do it.
 
It's a nice idea, and I see it really appealing to a lot of young riders and the new generation of the horse world.

BUT, at the end of the day, I'd rather spend my time in the saddle than at the computer.
 
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