Read About HORSEBACK RIDING RDI

RDI Spotlight: Bringing Horseback Riding to Life Through Dynamovie

At Dynaflow, we’re constantly seeking new frontiers in immersive storytelling.
As part of our RDI (Research, Development & Invention) initiative, we’re exploring an ambitious and emotionally rich experience: bringing horseback riding into the world of Dynamovies.

This isn’t about teaching people how to ride.
It’s about giving anyone the chance to feel what it’s like to be on a horse, even if they’ve never ridden one in their life.

Our Dynamovie format blends high-end VR headsets with a state-of-the-art motion simulator, which moves in sync with the action.
For this project, the simulator is equipped with a custom saddle – currently mounted on a barrel for prototyping, but ultimately designed to evoke the form of a real horse, including the contours of the back, neck, and head.

This setup creates a fully embodied, passive experience.
You don’t control the ride – you become the rider.
Your point of view, head motion, and body alignment all match the experience of riding a horse in motion.

The sensation of horseback riding is a complex blend of rhythm, balance, and instinctive movement.
To simulate it:
•We captured real-world riding footage with integrated motion data
•Calibrated physical motion cues with great care to mirror the shifting of weight and body motion
•Synced head and body perspective with gait dynamics for natural immersion

We recently shared our first prototype with an experienced rider to see if the sensation translated.
“It’s uncanny – within seconds, I recognized the familiar rhythm.
You’re not steering the horse, but your body believes it’s there.
The sway, the weight shifts… it brought back muscle memories I wasn’t expecting.”

These insights will help us refine everything from posture positioning to gait realism.
In the video below, you’ll see our early-stage prototype, with the saddle mounted on a barrel stand.
While this version is purely functional, it already gives a sense of the immersive potential.
The final version will be far more elegant – sculpted to reflect the upper form of a horse, from the back to the neck and head, enhancing both comfort and imagination.

While the first tests were conclusive – confirmed by our experienced rider as a strong first step in the right direction – we know there’s much more ground to cover. To truly capture the full emotional and physical spectrum of horseback riding, we’re now entering a phase of expanded testing and refinement.
This includes fine-tuning the simulation for the horse’s various paces and behaviors:
•The gentle, swaying rhythm of a walk
•The bouncy, energetic tempo of a trot
•The smooth, exhilarating motion of a gallop
•The physical jolt and timing required to jump over obstacles
•The rush of speeding through dense forest trails
•The unique sensation of splashing through shallow rivers
Each of these moments offers distinct physical cues and emotional tones that must be rendered faithfully for the viewer to feel truly immersed.

Our ultimate goal is to create an experience where anyone – not just riders – can feel the full narrative and physical range of horseback riding, all while seated in a motion simulator, wearing a VR headset.

This is where Dynamovies shine: not just telling a story, but letting the viewer live it from the inside out.
Dynamovies make the inaccessible accessible – whether it’s for education, rehabilitation, tourism, or simply pure wonder.
By merging technology with storytelling and physical design, we’re shaping new ways of feeling.

At Dynaflow, we don’t just show you a story – we put you in the saddle.