Standing on a horse is just like any other skill or trust issue. It doesn’t mean it covers the complete horse. Horses can be trained to allow riders to stand on their backs. Many trick riders stand on their horses. There are a lot of people who can walk around on their horses and can’t canter. So, it’s good if your horse will stand completely still, and it does take some courage to get up there.
Take a look at this beautiful setting, including the horse, the man, and an incredible sunset. Wonderful, right? But it all depends on how experienced the horse is. If he is very green, of course, he will start bucking, rearing, and all the crazy stuff. Some horses are trained for it, though. This activity is called vaulting. It’s basically when someone stands on the horse while he is trotting or cantering, possibly even galloping. Also, it helps if the horse is familiar with you.
You can say that vaulting is gymnastics on horseback and combines the skills of both gymnastics and horsemanship. It improves a rider’s seat, balance, rhythm and coordination, and confidence on the horse.
A horse used for vaulting may be of any breed. Strength, a calm temperament, and steady gaits are the essential attributes. Animals with draft or warmblood breeding are popular choices, and Morgans, Appaloosas, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and other breeds have also been used for vaulting.
But vaulting has only been contested in one Olympics, which was the 1920 Antwerp Games. It was during the era when all equestrian sports in the Olympics had military dominance. It has since been an artistic demonstration at both the Los Angeles Games in 1984 and the Atlanta Games of 1996. And vaulting is not only the safest of the equestrian sports, and it is documented safer than riding bicycles, playing on playground equipment, and even playing soccer. A successful vaulting horse has a good, robust, and flexible canter that is easy to vault on.