Therapeutic Vaulting

This article is presented to you by the magazine aktiv dabei courtesy of Behinderten-Sportverband NRW e.V..

Therapeutic vaulting is alongside hippotherapy and riding for disabled people one of the three partitions of therapeutic riding.

15.10.2007

Three years ago Wachus, the nine year old therapy horse of the University of Duisburg-Essen’s sports club (VGSU), moved to Essen.

After six months in March 2005, the gelding started his service as therapy horse within the scope of a project sponsored by the non-profit organization “Aktion Mensch”. Beforehand the therapy horse had to pass a training period. With increasing demand, classes for other institutions (institutions for disabled children, schools, youth welfare offices etc.) followed.

Therapeutic vaulting is alongside hippotherapy and riding for disabled people one of the three partitions of therapeutic riding. Therapeutic vaulting is an integrated pedagogical supportive method for different target groups which stresses physical action.

Therapeutic vaulting has positive effects on young people and adults with the following impairments:

• Mental retardation


• Behavioural problems


• Learning disabilities


• Language disabilities


• Mental Disabilities

Due to long time activity of the VGSU and experience in the field of psychomotility and physical education for hyperactive children the classes were initially developed for children with hyperactivity. The horse with its special skills can help to stabilise children and teenagers with physical or mental disabilities and strengthen their personalities. Depending on the age and impairments of the participants the classes put the main focus on:

• Motorial and sensorial abilities


• Social and emotional competence


• Cognitive abilities

Currently children and young people who are physical or mentally ill, children who are in care of youth welfare offices and youngsters with eating disorders or recovering from drug withdrawal are taking part in therapeutic vaulting.

Every lesson which lasts 90 minutes begins with a salutation and an approach between the horse and the children.

The group of up to six children is instructed with cleaning the horse’s hooves and fur. The children are allowed to stroke Wachus and he can sniff at them. The children come to trust the horse and Wachus has time to prepare himself for his tasks. Some kids can’t yet imagine riding on the back of such a high horse. With a surcingle the children then go to the riding ring or the indoor riding arena. When vaulting the horse runs with a lunge constantly in a circle.

Working with the lunge is important to strengthen reliance and interaction between riding therapist Ute Wilmschen and Wachus. The horse reacts even on the smallest signs, for example when the therapist is raising her hand or voice.

As warm-up the children play behind, beside and on the bareback of the horse. At this riding is not in the foreground, but the adjustment to the horse as well as team play within the group and the development of social responsibility.

It is impressive how the horse focuses on the children and the therapist and works together with them. When a child is anxious the horse realises that and moves more carefully. Through interaction with the horse the children playfully overcome their fears. They gain self esteem, react responsible and learn to assess and try out their own abilities.

© VGSU Essen/Ulla Timmers-Trebing

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