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This chapter is an excerpt from the AVA's Camps and Clubs Manual,
written in 2004 specifically for beginning coaches and clubs. If you
are an AVA member, you may download the complete Camps and Club Manual,
found in the Resources section of the Members Only AVA website.
2.1 On the Ground
- The instructor should never assume that the students know how
to behave around horses.
- It is far better to repeat explanations or directions than to
chance an accident.
- On the first day the instructor should stress basic safe horsemanship
practices.
- Explain to the students how a horse sees so that they will
understand why they must follow certain procedures while vaulting
and working around the horse.
- Explain how to approach a horse and the importance of speaking
to him when first approaching or at any time he might not
be aware of your presence.
- Teach vaulters how to lead and tie a horse correctly. Emphasize
that the horse must NEVER be tied by the bridle or the longe
line.
- Teach vaulters how to pat, praise, and reward a horse. When
the work is finished, let vaulters feed the horse tidbits,
such as carrots or apples with the permission of the horse
owner. Show them how to hold their hands open and flat.
- Vaulters should be taught to groom and tack up the horse.
- Insist that the vaulters NEVER "fool around" or "rough house"
near a horse.
- Carefully discuss where a person should not be in relationship
to the horse. Do not stand or run directly in front or in
back of the horse.
- Also discuss what the vaulters should not do to the horse:
- Do not fuss with his nose, mouth, eyes, or ears.
- Do not touch sensitive spots around the stomach or prod
him in the flanks.
- Do not land heavily on his back.
- Do not dig in with elbows, knees, or heels.
- Do not attempt to make him go by clucking, kicking,
or hitting. Controlling the horse is the longeur's responsibility.
2.2 On the Vaulting Circle
- If vaulters are attentive, organized, and efficient in their
movement around the vaulting circle and in the taking of turns,
much more will be accomplished with the time and horse energy
available.
- The following procedures should be used on the vaulting circle:
- At the beginning of class, before the vaulters go to the
vaulting circle, the instructor should establish an order
of going. It should be followed throughout the vaulting lesson.
- Each vaulter, at his turn, should go into the vaulting circle
to the longeur just after the horse has passed, NEVER IN FRONT
OF THE HORSE.
- This vaulter should stand directly behind the longeur until
it is his turn to go out to the horse.
- As the vaulter on the horse is preparing to dismount, the
longeur signals by raising the whip so that the vaulter behind
him can pass under the whip, run along (but not touching)
the longe line to the horse, and, facing forward, come into
stride with the horse's forelegs.
- As soon as the previous vaulter has dismounted, this one
should be prepared to mount. An empty horse is a waste of
time and of the horse's energy.
- While this change is occurring, the next vaulter in line
should move from the edge of the vaulting circle to stand
behind the longeur as in b.
- After dismounting, the vaulter should return to the line-up
by following the vaulting circle in the same direction of
the horse. The vaulter must remain a safe distance from the
back of the horse.
- A vaulter should NEVER CROSS THE VAULTING CIRCLE UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER DISMOUNTING.
CAMPS AND CLUBS MANUAL
© American Vaulting Association 2004
Published by the American Vaulting Association
Email: NationalOffice@AmericanVaulting.org
© American Vaulting Association 2004
All rights reserved. Copyright for this book is held by the American
Vaulting Association and is protected, without limitations, pursuant
to U.S. and foreign copyright and trademark laws. You are authorized
to download one copy of the material from the AVA website on one computer
for your personal, noncommercial use only. In doing so, you may not
remove or in any way alter any trademark, copyright, or other proprietary
notice. Except as allowed in the preceding sentence, you may not modify,
copy, distribute, republish, commercially exploit, or upload any of
the material in this book without the prior written consent of American
Vaulting Association. The American Vaulting Association makes no representations
or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, which are
provided for use "as is."
The American Vaulting Association disclaims all warranties, express
or implied. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy and
completeness of all information, opinions, and other material in this
book. First Edition, 1981 Revised Edition, 2004
Distributed by the American Vaulting Association.
Printed in the United States of America.
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