What makes a good vaulting horse

But there is no specific scare training or whatsoever. We like to challenge our horses, as what I said a lot happens here, we got an open arena, they can see a lot. I really like that because they will learn that there can be something going on and not mind it.

We try to engage it, and I will not go out of the way of scary things. But I say keep on going instead because the horse has to find out anyway. It is really mind-numbing for the horse to walk in a circle for an hour. We should realize that there is not really a challenge in that for the horse to walk around in a circle. You should also work on other kinds of training to keep the horse excited for vaulting training.

For the horse it is also high level sports, and you have to think about your horse. When you should take him to the competitions and when you should not. I want to ask the vaulters to keep in mind that what they want should also be possible for the horse. It is not fair to take the horse every weekend to a competition with the team.

Resting is as important as training. Some horses are just not that focused on the training and need to be kept busy to make them focus better. What I try to do in order to make my horse focus is asking miniscule tempo changes. The goal is to make the horse constantly focus on me so that he starts to work for me.

You want to have that connection constantly, because obviously you communicate a lot with the horse. This is important for sure when there is a lot going on, you need to support your horse. When the vaulter does a ground jump, or there is a team freestyle going on, you need to support your horse in that so that he knows he is not alone in this. Which makes it a lot more fun for the horse, when he can feel that it is a real training.

If you want to learn more about Nienke or contact her, visit her website www. Categories: Train Like You must be logged in to post a comment. Search for:. About VW. The first national team vaulting championship was held in in Germany, with an individual championship taking place two decades later. The sport of vaulting was brought to North America by a Californian visiting Germany in , leading to the American Vaulting Association being established in Since then, FEI-sanctioned competitions have taken place all over the globe, with a World Cup league and World and Continental Championships held every two years, as well as the World Equestrian Games taking place every four years.

Vaulting movements begin with simple kneeling poses such as the Flag, the Mill full rotation , and standing, and progress to more difficult exercises such as the Scissors, handstands, rolls and flips.

Vaulting can be performed individually, as a pas-de-deux two vaulters of any gender , or as a squad of six vaulters riding up to three at a time. The surcingle should be checked to make sure there is enough clean padding to prevent chafing anywhere in the girth area. Some surcingles require woolskin or foam girth covers to prevent chafing.

Some horses have elbows that point inward and which may cause a sore by striking the top of an unpadded surcingle. Woolskin sleeves may be used to correct this problem. If the surcingle "heels over" toward the lunger after vaulting has been in progress for a while, never reset the surcingle or push the surcingle back into correct position without loosening it first. To do so drags the back pads across the most sensitive part of the withers and can cause soreness to develop.

Pad The horse's back should be well padded, especially for beginning vaulters. Back pads for vaulting typically measure cm by 90cm and are made of dense felt maximum 2 inches thick or a dense synsthetic foam material or a combination of both.

Large western pads can work if they are thick and provide a firm platform for the vaulter. If properly fashioned, a removable terry cloth or other absorbent cloth cover over the pad provides soft contact for the vaulters and is easy to remove and clean. The cloth cover may also prevent heat buildup when using pads made of synthetic materials. The back pad should be adjusted so that it extends 6" to 8" forward of the surcingle to give padding for exercises and basing from on the neck but extending no more than eight inches.

The pad should be far enough back to protect the horse's back and upper loin area but not extending past the point of the croup.

Newer vaulting pads are made of thick felt and contoured at the whithers and beveled on the sides so as to conform to the horse. If your horse has high whithers, a slit in the pad at the whithers can help alleviate pressure points there.

Some have found auto upholstery shops that can create back pads at a fraction of the cost of the imported European made vaulting pads. Care of the Tack and Equipment The care and cleaning of tack is a part of good horsemanship.

All vaulting equipment should be attended to after each use by whomever is in charge The leather equipment surcingle, bridle, side reins, and galloping boots should be kept clean, oiled as required, and maintained in good repair.

It is important to check for signs of wear, especially in the stitching, each day before vaulters begin work on the horse. Sweat will rot the stitches if not cleaned off with a damp sponge after each use. Back pads, girth covers, and bandages must be laundered so that the accumulated sweat does not cause sores. Be certain to rinse them well because any soap, which remains in the material and mixes with the wet sweat, will irritate the horse's skin.

Clean the bit carefully, making sure there are no remains of dried saliva or food, which could irritate the corners of the horse's mouth the next time the bit is used. Care should be exercised when putting the vaulting equipment away. The equipment should be stored in a cool place out of the sun and dampness.

The surcingle should be kept on a saddle tree, never hung up or laid flat. Never lay the surcingle down on the handles. The leather covers on the handles damage easily and are expensive to repair. Never leave the surcingle lying on the horse's back with the girth unfastened for more than a moment. One good shake and a step forward will almost guarantee a repair bill.

Never tie your horse to a post or tree unattended where the horse could rub the surcingle which can result in broken or torn handles and a scuffed surcingle! The lunge line should be folded so that it will be free of tangles when let out the next time. The lunge whip should never be left lying in the vaulting circle.

A horse stepping on it spells the end of its usefulness. After vaulting practice, the knots should be untied from the lash, the popper checked for wear, and the whip done up neatly and stored in a vertical position or hung up. This care gives it a better chance of survival without damage, and it is ready for the next time.

The horse should stay out on the circle, listen to the lunger's commands and have a steady gait before being asked to accept vaulters. Remember, when he begins real work on the vaulting circle, he will have to: Travel in a perfect circle around the lunger to the left and right; Maintain a constant gait; Stop and start on command; Tolerate vaulters' mistakes without misbehavior; Be attentive and obedient to the longeur, even with vaulters constantly moving between them.

The techniques given here are for use with a horse that is already gentle and obedient under saddle. Since no two horses are the same, these suggestions must be adapted to the responses of each particular animal. They are offered only as guidelines. Equipment For the first lesson on the lunge line, fit the horse in a lunging cavasson or snaffle bridle and vaulting surcingle.

Be attentive that the girth remains tight to avoid sores on the horse and for the safety of the vaulters. Adjust the length of the side reins you have chosen so they are the same length and allow the horse a natural head carriage at the walk. Snap them up on the surcingle to begin the work. When the horse finds his balance on the circle, accepts the bit and learns to become obedient, the side reins may be shortened.

Procedure Getting started If possible select a quiet, fenced area in which to train the horse. A round pen is an ideal place to start. Before you attempt to lunge the horse, make sure he leads well and comfortably with the lunge line snapped in place. May use a lead shank. Ask him to start, stop, and turn with you walking around him as he turns. The next step is to acquaint the horse with the lunge whip.

At no time should the vaulting horse fear the mere sight of the whip. This fear can lead to accidents. For starting a horse completely green to lunging, it is preferable to use a lunge whip that is a few feet shorter than the standard one used on the meter circle. It is also preferable to use a smaller circle so the horse is closer to the lunger. Hold the horse by his lead shank with your left hand, and stand a short distance away from the left front shoulder facing toward the horse's barrel.

If you have an assistant, have him hand you the lunge whip in a vertical position with the lash done up. If you have no assistant, pick up the whip slowly, being careful to keep your eyes on the horse's eye at all times. With a slow but deliberate motion, point to and rub the horse on the left shoulder with the handle of the whip. If he shows no anxiety, proceed up over the withers, down the back, and over the hindquarters, gradually moving the whip away and toward the horse with a more pronounced motion but at no time in a threatening gesture.

If the horse is very nervous, for whatever reason, continue reassuring him until you can move the whip around him with the lash undone, and he shows no sign of uneasiness. Use of voice commands Since vaulting horses must work on remote control, the use of the voice is of great importance.

The horse learns to recognize the different intonations of your voice as much as the words you use, so try to always use the same intonation for the same command. The verbal commands you will need to teach are: A tongue click to start the horse out or to move him on faster in the same gait. Give a voice command once only, then reinforce calmly but firmly with the whip. At this point you are ready to put the horse on the circle. The lunger will benefit from wearing gloves and should hold the lunge line so that it cannot coil around a hand if the horse should make any sudden moves.

Mounted competitions are arranged for vaulters of all skill levels, with the youngest or least experienced participants going through their exercises on a trotting horse. The canter is used by more advanced vaulters and is the gait required for all international competition. Vaulters in individual competition perform compulsory figures and also a kur, or freestyle event, in which ability and artistic interpretation are considered.

Team competition involves eight vaulters riding two or three at a time and incorporating lifts and group movements. In the pas de deux, one male and one female vaulter perform kurs showing harmony and cooperation between the vaulters. For all divisions, a rigorous scoring system deducts points for stiffness, loss of balance, or incorrect position. Vaulters are rewarded for strength, flexibility, body control, and use of movements with a high degree of difficulty.

Aspects of the performance that might enhance the score are a variety of positions facing backward, forward, or to either side of the horse and moving to the neck or croup for some movements , more difficult elements those with fewer or less secure points of contact with the horse , and creativity in fitting the movements of vaulters and horse to the musical accompaniment.

Sensitivity to the comfort and well-being of the horse is also considered as a component of the performance.