A stables has a new horse in town, but this one does not play up, skit about or refuse to move.

This black beauty instead enables riders to have their posture, performance and pose evaluated by sophisticated technology used by professional jockeys and dressage riders.

Wimbledon Times:

It is a state-of-the-art simulator newly installed into a former stable at Wimbledon Village Stables for both members and non-members to have their riding styles assessed by knowledgeable instructors.

The ‘horse’ stands at 15 hands two ins, and is mounted on a hydraulic platform which has three sensors on either side.

It is fully interactive and can perform complex dressage moves with the right signals.

The sensitive sensors are located by each foot on the side of the model, and are in positions to match up where a rider would squeeze the horse to encourage them to move into walk, trot or canter.

The £50,000 simulator- which does not yet have a name, but does have a realistic mane and tail – is linked up to a television screen in front of it which assesses each part of the body and provides a print out of the results.

It is suitable for all abilities, from beginner to advanced, and you can even practice a dressage test and go for a ride in a field, in virtual reality of course.

Wimbledon Village Stables yard manager Jennifer Fryer said: “It gives the rider the luxury of sitting still and focussing on their performance.

“It is completely focussed on you, you don’t have to consider natural behaviours of a horse which can affect your confidence if you don’t know a horse.”

Mrs Fryer, who at six months pregnant has been using the simulator as a safe way to stay on top of her riding fitness, added: “What’s great about it is you can progress even if you are not an experienced rider.”

Proprietor Carol Andrews said she was excited about the launch tomorrow, and would think about getting a simulator dedicated to improving jumping technique next, but at £100,000 it does not come cheap.

Lessons can be booked for individuals or groups from tomorrow.

On April 11, the stables in High Street, Wimbledon Village, will launch a series of studio-based fitness classes, designed with the needs of the rider in mind.

As well as yoga and Pilates classes, there will be Equiform, focussing on muscles used for riding positions and the alignment of the body, and two more high intensity classes.

Wimbledon Times:

Wimbledon Guardian news editor Becky Middleton tried out the Equicise simulator on Friday ahead of the launch.

"As a rider with many years of experience under my belt, I was excited to see what the assessment into my riding would show. Had I been doing something wrong all these years?

One thing I wanted answers to was why was I getting pins and needles in my left leg after every lesson? Having struggled with this niggling issue for many years, I was very happy to have it solved in half an hour by the lovely Jennifer Fryer.

She expertly assessed my position and put me through my paces on the simulator. It turns out I lean slightly to the right in the saddle, apparently meaning I tense up my left side to balance it out.

It was very interesting and much easier riding this way, and I learnt a lot. I know my riding will improve with this greater understanding of my posture and position."