The Fun and Freedom of Interactive Vaulting

Liz AdamsRegion 1 Conference

April 2014

Interactive Vaulting

• ….is a process that engages participants in horsemanship activities, movements around, on and off the equine or barrel and gymnastic positions on the back of the equine. The specially trained equine works in a circle on a lunge line at the walk, trot and canter. This dynamic environment offers educational, social, creative, and movement opportunities.

Competitive Vaulting

• American Vaulting Association• Competitive or sport vaulting focuses on the

compulsory gymnastic movements on horseback as an individual or team.

Developmental Therapeutic Vaulting

• Utilized by Therapeutic Riding Instructors• The student performs compulsory

movements while the horse is LED with sidewalker assistance.

• Positions often used in Hippotherapy setting

Why Include Interactive Vaulting at your center?

Communication

• The interactive vaulting environment assumes that all parties (horse, instructor, vaulters) are of equal importance.

• Vaulters must problems solve their interactions with the horse and other vaulters.

Team Building

• The vaulting group is required to work as a team

• The skills to interact and succeed as a group are taught through interactive activities

• Example – ball carrying game

Confidence and Self-Esteem

• Empowering environment• Positive peer pressure through observations

of accomplishments of others• Use of all three gaits• Freedom of the lunge line

Creativity

• The instructor facilitates activities without specific instructions

• Example- switching places on the barrel

Physical Benefits

• Fine and gross motor skills• Sensory input / integration• Balance • Strength• Flexibility• Coordination

Program

• One horse and one instructor can serve 4 to 6 students

• Limited volunteer needs• Standard V3 – limits workload – max. of 60

minutes on a circle (mounted and unmounted), 6 hours between sessions, no more than 6 session per week

Who can participate?

Physical Requirements

• Walk independently on uneven surfaces• May not use assistive devices (crutches,

walkers, chairs)• Ability to move sideways and backwards to

avoid being stepped on by the horse• Must be able to stand and walk without

falling• Good head and neck control

• Shoulder stability and arm strength to tolerate weight bearing exercises

• Must be able to hear from some distance to be able to follow instructions

• Must be capable of dismounting immediately from horse or barrel

Cognitive Requirements

• Must be able and willing to follow simple directions

• Demonstrate healthy self-preservation skills• Must be able to demonstrate self-restraint in

case of frustration

Social Requirements

• Function in a group setting• Must be able to share• Demonstrate safe behavior around fellow

vaulter and horse (no violence)

Exceptions to the Rule

• Homogeneous Vs. Heterogeneous Groups• Use of the ramp• Choice of activities• Volunteer support• Goals of the session

Getting Support for a Program

• Educate• Focus on benefits• Can you serve a new population?• Does it fit a new grant proposal?• Demonstration• Participation• Design a pilot program and gather data

Now you need a horse!

Temperament

• Kind• Patient• Tolerant• Calm• Expressive

Size & Conformation

• Size will depend on the population served• Sturdy• Solid bone• Short, broad back• Good angles through pastern & shoulder• Avoid a long back and long pasterns• Reality of selecting from existing herd

The Horse’s Conformation & Center of Gravity

Principles of lungeing

The Pyramid of Training

Equipment• A lungeing whip (preferably the telescopic type).• A lunge line 35’ long.• Gloves• Snaffle bridle• Caveson?• Side-reins• Vaulting surcingle• Vaulting pad• Vaulting barrel

Starting from the walk

• Introducing the lunge line & the whip• How to attach the lunge line to the bridle • Working on straight lines

The lungeing Triangle

Problem Solving

• Horse won’t stay on the circle• Horse won’t slow / stop• Horse scared of whip• Horse won’t go forward• Horse bulges on circle• Horse turns in on circle• Problems you have encountered?

Transitions

• Rhythm & suppleness• Voice commands• Whip commands• Body Language

Introducing side reins – the contact• Most common side reins are the elastic & the

doughnut side reins• Correct placement of side reins improves

bend, rhythm & suppleness

Desensitize your horse to games and compulsories

The barrell

Basic positions / Compulsories

• Mount• The basic seat• The mill• The box• The ½ flag• The flag• Stand

Conditioning / Cross training

• Lungeing• Schooling under saddle• Trail rides• Cavaletti• Other jobs in the program

PATH InternationalInteractive Vaulting Standards

• Barrel• Horse – selection, training, equipment fit,

workload• Helmets and non-use guidelines• Certified Instructor• Volunteer and Personnel training specific to

vaulting• Vaulter Attire• Vaulting arena/workspace• Additional person available

How do I get certified?

PATH International Interactive Vaulting Certification

• Attend PATH Interactive Vaulting workshop• PATH Registered Riding Instructor• Be 21 years or older• 50 practice hours, 30 lungeing, 20 teaching

interactive vaulting• Application, fee, resume, recommendations,

copy if current CPR / First Aid• Attend an on – sight certification

Tested Components

• Lungeing – must pass to teach• Compulsory teaching and demonstration• Teaching of an Interactive Vaulting Lesson

Questions?