She's here, and she's already exceeding expectations.

A week of learning, awareness, and a few beautiful “aha” moments

Will-oh! has arrived — and she’s already delighting and amazing riders.

Just over a week ago, Will-oh!, our Racewood Dressage Pro horse simulator, settled into her new home at Willow & Withers. If you noticed we were a little quieter than usual on social media, it was intentional. We wanted time to get to know her properly — all her buttons, nuances, and capabilities — before sharing too much too fast.

Since her arrival, I’ve ridden Will-oh! almost every day and introduced her to more than a dozen riders. And that’s just the beginning. Alongside rider sessions, we’ve been spending time with coaches and rehabilitation professionals, exploring partnerships and collaborations that highlight the many ways this technology can support learning, recovery, and performance.

The Racewood Dressage Pro is used around the world by riders, coaches, and therapists, and it’s been exciting to see how naturally it’s already fitting into the Nova Scotia riding community.

A little apprehension… followed by a lot of love

One of the strongest themes I’ve noticed so far is how riders feel before they ride Will-oh!.

Many arrive curious, but a bit apprehensive — often quietly wondering what she might reveal about their riding.

And then they ride.

What’s been so wonderful to witness is how quickly that concern fades. Riders consistently comment on Will-oh!’s authenticity — and, interestingly, her kindness. She doesn’t judge. She simply reflects.

Almost without exception, riders step down, saying some version of:
“She confirmed what I already suspected.”

The imbalances or weaknesses she highlights are often very subtle — a slightly stronger leg, a quieter seat on one side, a bit more reliance on one rein. But because the Racewood system makes these patterns visible and measurable, they suddenly become understandable — and, more importantly, fixable.

Small changes, meaningful progress

One of the most exciting early observations has been how quickly riders can notice improvement. With the right exercise or positional adjustment, changes are often felt within a single session.

We’ve been having a lot of fun using complementary tools to increase body awareness and support balance, including:

• Franklin balls, to encourage relaxation and proprioception

• Rider bands, to activate and balance leg aids

• Targeted exercises designed to address each rider’s unique patterns

What makes the experience so powerful is not just feeling the difference in the moment, but understanding why it’s happening — and then taking that knowledge back to regular riding.

Better together: learning with friends

Another unexpected highlight has been seeing riders come with friends and barn buddies.

There is tremendous value in shared learning. Watching a friend ride often sparks insights you wouldn’t notice on your own. Riders learn from each other’s “aha” moments, ask better questions, and — perhaps most importantly — help keep each other accountable when they return to the barn.

These shared sessions have already proven to be both fun and deeply educational.

Ready to experience Will-oh! for yourself?

These first impressions are just the beginning. As we continue to work with riders, coaches, and rehab professionals, we’ll keep sharing what we’re learning and discovering together.

If you’ve been curious — or even a little nervous — about trying Will-oh!, now is the perfect time. Most riders leave feeling encouraged, informed, and excited about what’s possible in their riding.

👉 Book your session with Will-oh! here: or learn more about Will-oh! https://willowandwithers.ca/horse-simulator

Whether you come on your own or bring a riding buddy, we’d love to welcome you into the studio and introduce you to what the Racewood Dressage Pro can offer.