Vaulting is a sport of gymnastics done on
horseback. Vaulting horses can be any breed, age, color, and size. They must have very good temperments,
be very solid and strong, non spooky, be responsive to voice commands, and keep at a steady gait no
matter what happens.
Vaulting horses are outfitted in basic lunging
equipment, plus they wear a vaulting surcingle. This is a special surcingle that fits snugly around
their barrel, and has handles for vaulters to use. The horses are lunged, and must keep a perfect
circle at a steady gait of either trot or canter. Many of these horses are draft crosses, since
draft horses are generally calm and are able to carry two or three vaulters easily.
Beginning vaulters learn balance and
rhythm in order to perform basic vaulting skills. These include different stances and poses on
the horse. Vaulters can also dismount and remount the horse in motion.
Vaulters can also team up in twos or threes to perform more complicated and advanced gymnastics.
Obviously a well schooled, quiet horse is essential since any hesitation or misstep could
cause all the vaulters to lose their balance and fall.
This obviously demanding sport requires
riders to be flexible and balanced, brave and skilled. Like many gymnastic sports, it must be
started when the rider is a child so they can gain the flexibility and skill that would be far
more difficult for an adult to develop.
Vaulting is a sport of gymnastics done on
horseback. Vaulting horses can be any breed, age, color, and size. They must have very good temperments,
be very solid and strong, non spooky, be responsive to voice commands, and keep at a steady gait no
matter what happens. 
Vaulting horses are outfitted in basic lunging
equipment, plus they wear a vaulting surcingle. This is a special surcingle that fits snugly around
their barrel, and has handles for vaulters to use. The horses are lunged, and must keep a perfect
circle at a steady gait of either trot or canter. Many of these horses are draft crosses, since
draft horses are generally calm and are able to carry two or three vaulters easily. 
Beginning vaulters learn balance and
rhythm in order to perform basic vaulting skills. These include different stances and poses on
the horse. Vaulters can also dismount and remount the horse in motion. 
This obviously demanding sport requires
riders to be flexible and balanced, brave and skilled. Like many gymnastic sports, it must be
started when the rider is a child so they can gain the flexibility and skill that would be far
more difficult for an adult to develop. 