{"id":5313,"date":"2020-03-15T20:23:37","date_gmt":"2020-03-15T19:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vaultingworld.com\/?p=5313"},"modified":"2020-03-15T20:25:28","modified_gmt":"2020-03-15T19:25:28","slug":"para-vaulting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vaultingworld.com\/de\/para-vaulting\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Para Vaulting – Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vaulting is an impressive discipline that we often associate with top level athletes performing in the biggest championships around the world. Nevertheless, para vaulting is also a wonderful activity to help people. You will understand here why and how, thanks to Lizzie, a para vaulter & coach from the United Kingdom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

“I started vaulting in 2016 and now have 12 national titles in para vaulting, as well as a few from the RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) in dressage and showjumping. I coach able-bodied and RDA\/para vaulters and riders which I love!”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lizzie warming up on Puro at Contessa Vaulting Group <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why is the horse such a good therapist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We all know the power horses have to help us to unwind after a stressful day or to build up our confidence: they make us physically and mentally fit and give us opportunities for social interaction as well as personal growth. As a rider, vaulter and coach involved with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in the UK, I\u2019ve seen that for disabled people these are just some of the benefits of being with horses. There are plenty more – for example, the motion of a horse\u2019s back while he walks is great for mobilising riders\u2019 hips and backs, and horses are also far more motivating than a physiotherapist will ever be – I have disabled friends who have been riding for decades, which is pretty much unheard of with regular physio!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eden hugging Stubbs after they won the under-10 category at the RDA National Championships 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The ways horses communicate can also have a miraculous effect on those for whom communication with people is difficult. For someone who struggles to be understood by people around them it is impossible to describe just how good it feels when a horse \u2018listens\u2019 to you and responds accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horses don\u2019t have to be vaulting horses to be therapeutic, of course. There are huge benefits to riding, carriage driving or simply being around horses on the ground. However, my experience is that vaulting has the potential to be more beneficial than any other equestrian activity. Here\u2019s why\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why vaulting is perfect for therapy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are loads of advantages of vaulting for people with disabilities. For a start, an able-bodied and experienced person is in control of the horse, and vaulters have some nice big handles to hold onto! Beyond that, vaulting is far more adaptable than riding, so it can accommodate people who wouldn\u2019t be able to do regular riding. For example, if someone has trouble sitting astride the horse we can get them to sit sideways or kneel instead. If the vaulter is very nervous or physically weak then we can put someone else up on the horse with them. For those with excessive fatigue, the short bursts of activity in a vaulting session can work really well. Vaulting is also brilliant for the visually impaired because someone else is steering the horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eden vaulting on Puro<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another advantage is cost: vaulting lessons can be three or four times less expensive than riding because a whole group of vaulters can share one or two horses. Many people with disabilities already face extra expenses and, often, decreased earnings, so this makes vaulting viable both for riding schools and their disabled clients. Vaulting also has the potential to help people with all kinds of disabilities \u2013 see below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best of all, vaulting provides disabled people with a sense of accomplishment in celebrating the things that many able-bodied people would be too nervous to try. This is heartening to all, whether you\u2019re a child or an adult and regardless of your disability, and is rare and therefore precious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kinds of disabilities can you cater for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the exception of a severe allergy to horses, pretty much anything! Here are some of the disabilities of vaulters I\u2019ve worked or trained with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n