Eagle Mount, a Bozeman-based nonprofit that provides adaptive recreational programs for people with disabilities and cancer, has introduced Black Jack, a 4-foot-7-inch tall mechanical horse simulator. Designed by Racewood in the UK, Black Jack is Montana’s first adaptive equestrian simulator and one of only four in the U.S. It offers a safe, controlled environment for young riders to develop horsemanship skills by mimicking real horse movements and providing immersive virtual terrains. The simulator helps riders improve balance, posture, and riding technique while allowing trainers to monitor ride data such as speed and gait.

Black Jack supports Eagle Mount’s 2023 horsemanship program expansion, funded by community donations, which includes a climate-controlled space for the simulator. The device acts as a valuable teaching tool, helping riders build confidence and responsibility by understanding how their actions affect a horse’s behavior. Although not yet in use due to pending electronic parts, Black Jack is expected to enhance participants’ physical and emotional well-being by preparing them for live horse riding in a more accessible and controlled way.