I had the chance to ride with one this morning and like many others have noted it shows you where you are weak, bracing or ineffective. In my case I carry my hands to high, have inconsistent rein contact/length and allow my horse to pull through my aids (I think I’m being kind; he thinks I’m a sucker). It was a neat way to receive feedback because I had to establish solid rein contact in order to hold the block and be able to steer but I couldn’t lift my hands easily due to the weight and I was forced to keep my hands together and use my body weight, seat and leg rather than fiddle with my fingers or separate my hands. I would like to play with it more but I was impressed. I will also note that I warmed up in the walk and trot with the cube then put it down to work my normal routine and then picked it back up to cool down.
I also purchased an Equicube and like to use it for warming up and cooling down when I am schooling.
The biggest thing it has helped me with is finding a good rein length that enables me to have a bend in my elbow. I went to a show this weekend and was thrilled with the photos a friend of mine took where my position looked so much better.
I had one of my young students use the cube on the lunge last week. She tends to ride with her elbows straight, no bend, and brace against the horse’s mouth. AAAAACK! With the cube, she HAS to bend at the elbows and hold the cube above the pommel. I believe it will help her develop a more independent seat – She wants to use her hands/arms to support herself.
Definitely a good item to use for lunge lessons. I think I will have my coach friend lunge ME with this device some time soon.
I bought one but did not find it very helpful. It is a blanket weight on top of a pile of blankets now.
[QUOTE=Wicky;8192107]
I bought one but did not find it very helpful. It is a blanket weight on top of a pile of blankets now.[/QUOTE]
Send it my way then! 
bump
[QUOTE=SAB;8026785]
I’ve used it also. I’m pretty fit and used to keeping my core on, and found it too light to make much difference to my core engagement.
It was useful for keeping my hands really even - but for that, the crop is definitely the cheaper option.[/QUOTE]
I finally got one after reading positive reviews. I felt no difference at all. Maybe that means I am really fit (NOT!). I found it easy to hold off the withers, and I had to drop the whip as it was cumbersome to manage.
Will try it again, of course, before putting it online for sale.
Winding Down, I’m in Area II as well…if you don’t like it, I might buy it off you!
I just found this thread. Tried an equicube in a lesson with my trainer last week, and it was INCREDIBLY helpful.
I’m actually a breast cancer survivor, in addition to rider. I went through it 4 years ago and had over 1/3 of my upper body radiated, and developed lymphedema in my right arm and shoulder. I also went through a reconstruction surgery that involved using tissue and muscle from my deep abdominal area… I am happily 4 years cancer free, but frankly, an unbalanced mess in the saddle. My core has lost 50% of my strength, and my right arm and shoulder are compromised and unconsciously hunched much of the time. And I have a gorgeous 3 year old GOV mare who wasa gift last year… I’ve been trying to enjoy her and get back into riding, but she has a HUGE trot. It’s been a total challenge, and very discouraging.
Anyway, I’ve felt a bit hopeless about my riding and physical self for a while now, but this thing was MAGIC the other day. It got my weak compromised body in a balanced position… And low and behold… I can actually ride my mare’s huge trot! Even with 50% of my abdominal strength gone. Steady in the bridle, with my upper body even, and riding frmy seat and legs. My weak core was engaged and I “felt” what I need to do to get a correct result.
So I am about to buy one for myself for Christmas. And do tons of walk trot, trot walk transitions with it for the next year. It’s good for my young mare, and good for me. I’m hoping to use it to develop “new” muscle memory and “new” feel… My body is very different after cancer, but I want to ride and progress and improve and this little invention functioned as an ideal physical therapy tool for me the other day.
Just thought it might be neat to share this experience and use of this thing on this thread. I would encourage anyone else who has gone through a big physical trauma or surgery and is trying to get back in the saddle to give it a go.
Virginia Horse Mom, your post just made my day.
Resurrecting this old thread!
I am a hunter/jumper rider but we do a lot of correct flat work and dressage in the program I am in (which is awesome). I have really begun to notice that I do not use my core as I should when riding, and am interested in getting this to help. I would use it during flat work sessions. I also have been working on my core off the saddle which has made a positive impact on my riding.
Does anyone have recent experience using this?
My riding teacher really likes how the Equicube works my core muscles, and gets my seat correctly into the saddle.
One of her students, a dressage rider, went out and ordered an Equicube after my riding teacher had her use one in a lesson.
Yes, used one for the first time in January and bought one of my own right after. It’s definitely taught me about using my core: if you hold it with no core engagement, your arms get smoked really fast - and I say that as a long time 5-day-a-week CrossFitter. Subsequently, I learned I’ve been disengaging my core muscles pretty much whenever possible both in and out of the saddle, and have a major imbalance between my abs and back, and have been working on fixing that since I got the cube.
Surprisingly, it also pointed out how crooked I had been riding - my horse didn’t go straight if I was holding the cube/reins straight. So the cube set me off down a rabbit hole of personal biomechanics discovery in a lot of ways.
Before corona I was using it occasionally in lessons and I also found it told on me when I wasn’t absolutely straight. Very useful but as others have said, no need to buy one just for yourself - one that several boarders or students of the same trainer can share would work fine.
Great, thank you!!
Did people opt for the Original (4.2 lb) or Pro (4.8 lb)?
Thanks again!
I got the original, lighter weight one.
I am pretty weak. The 4.2 lb one feels sort of heavy to me.
When I got three of them for my lesson stable for their Spring/Summer riding camps I also got the lighter ones, since most of her students are children in the camps and group lessons.
I’ve said to my riding teacher that I believe that using the Equicube could replace at least some lessons, the lessons that are mainly spent improving the rider’s position. She has not disagreed with me about that.
If I was riding dressage I’d be using one for part of every ride just to get my back lined up correctly. The effects for me last for my 30 minute ride, after carrying the Equicube for around a minute. I am not strong enough to carry it any longer, but it still helps me get my body lined up correctly.
Just wanted to say that I received and used my new Equicube during my warmup before my lesson, and it was amazing! I immediately felt how I needed to engage my core more.
My instructor was so complimentary of my position during my lesson, and I know the Equicube played a big role in that!
Oooh, I’ll bet this could help me right now. Anyone have a spare Equicube they’d lend me for 60 days?
Also, I have been riding with this XL long Theraband thing that sounds similar. You sit on it, hold it in your hands (and the reins) and never let any slack enter it. That has helped me find my core and body in a new way.
Here’s what I’m talking about: https://murdochmethod.com/shop/50-fixes-training/equiband/
Super interesting! So does it go around the cantle, up under your seat, and then you hold the ends?
Actually, no. It goes under your seat. The idea is by having you have to push out against the band with your hands, you end up keeping your whole core, lats and shoulder girdle still and connected to your hips. Your body moves as a piece.
Sorry, I couldn’t find a picture and I don’t know a ton about it. I have merely been subjected to this by an instructor and had it work for me.
That sounds so interesting!! Perhaps that will be my next toe torture device 😅
