What equipment do vaulting horses need?
The confidence of the vaulters on the horse must be very strong, but it is also important to have high quality equipment that gives the vaulters a sense of security. The horse should not only be seen as a piece of gymnastic equipment, but as a team member whose performance contributes to the vaulters‘ performance. The equipment should therefore always be chosen with the horse’s well-being in mind.
The basic equipment of a vaulting horse includes:
- Vaulting pad
- Lunge Roller Pad
- Vaulting roller
- Bridle or cavesson
- Auxiliary reins if necessary
- Lunge
- Lunge whip
- Leg protection (tendon boots, bandages, etc.)
- For warming up and cooling down: wicking rug
A good vaulting roller is characterised by the solid workmanship of the roller and handles. The spine should be exposed and not interfere with the movements of the back muscles. Since the girth must be buckled as tightly as possible to prevent slipping, care should be taken to ensure good padding and girth support to prevent chafing. A vaulting pad and a vaulting roller pad are essential for vaulting on the horse to reduce the pressure on the roller and on the horse’s back. The more intensive the training, the more important the quality of the material is when buying the pads. A hard-wearing and flexible foam gently cushions the movements on the horse without restricting the gymnasts.
The basic requirements for vaulting also include the appropriate equipment for the lunger, i.e. a lunge rein combined with a suitable bridle and a lunging whip for assistance. In addition to a bridle, a cavesson is also permitted for vaulting. The lunge rein should have a minimum length of 12 m. The auxiliary reins should support the horse during vaulting. The auxiliary reins should support the horse in contact and suppleness. In most cases, side reins are used, but lauffer reins or running side reins are also possible. A lungeing whip is used to assist the horse. A telescopic version is particularly practical – especially when vaulting competitively – as it can be pushed together compactly when not in use.
In addition, products for leg protection as well as a wicking rug for warming up are also recommended.
