Horse-ball & Vaulting: specific disciplines, dedicated equipment

Horse-ball and vaulting are two distinct equestrian disciplines, characterized by their technical demands, safety constraints, and the intensity of the effort required from both horse and rider. They necessitate specially designed equipment, conceived to ensure stability, freedom of movement, and safety, while respecting the horse's morphology and comfort. Unlike classical riding, the equipment used in these disciplines cannot be improvised or replaced by standard gear.

Horse-ball: supporting the game without compromising safety

Horse-ball is a dynamic team discipline, punctuated by accelerations, rapid changes of direction, and especially the pickup of the ball from the ground. During this action, the rider leans very low, which places significant constraints on the supports and stirrups.

Adapted equipment allows for:
• securing the rider during descent and ascent,
• maintaining stable footings,
• preserving saddle balance,
• preventing dangerous stirrup movements.

The pickup strap plays a central role in this practice. It connects the two stirrups by passing under the horse's belly and helps to stabilize the stirrup opposite the pickup side, without restricting the horse's movements. The horse-ball cover is also essential: it protects the ball, improves grip, and ensures use in accordance with the discipline's requirements.

Vaulting: stability, support, and respect for the horse

Vaulting involves acrobatic work performed on a moving horse, typically on a circle. It requires perfect equipment stability and an even distribution of pressure on the horse's back. The core equipment is the vaulting surcingle, specially designed to:
• offer solid and secure handles,
• remain perfectly in place during work,
• allow for the execution of technical figures,
• protect the horse's back despite repeated stresses.

The vaulting surcingle is essential technical equipment, both for training and for supervised or club practice.

Non-interchangeable equipment

Whether in horse-ball or vaulting, the equipment used must meet very specific constraints:
• intense efforts,
• unusual movements,
• high safety requirements,
• regular or intensive use.

This equipment is neither accessory nor optional. It directly influences safety, the quality of practice, and the long-term preservation of the horse.

Adapting equipment to practice and level

The choice of equipment depends on:
• the rider's or vaulter's level,
• the intensity of practice,
• the setting (club, leisure, competition),
• the horse's morphology and comfort.

Adapted equipment allows for safer practice, better stability, more serene progress, and a more respectful relationship with the horse.