Buy Vaulting Horse

Vaulting Horse for sale: Buying and selling Vaulting Horse

There’s something uniquely satisfying about a good vaulting horse: calm, rhythmic, and steady enough that an athlete can stand on their back with complete trust. When you’re looking at a vaulting horse for sale, you’re not just buying or selling a horse, you’re dealing with a living, breathing piece of sports equipment and a partner for a team.

A true vaulting horse is defined less by breed and more by temperament, movement, and training. You’ll see a lot of warmbloods and draft crosses in this category, often between 15.3 and 17hh, with a strong back, good bone, and a naturally balanced canter. What really matters is a regular, cadenced gait, a soft back that doesn’t jar vaulters, and a temperament that stays unflustered by noise, movement, and the occasional wobbly landing. Many started as dressage or all-round riding horses and transitioned into vaulting once their steady nature became obvious.

In the equestrian world, vaulting horses are used for everything from beginner club lessons to international competitions. At entry level, a “vaulting horse” might simply be a safe, forgiving schoolmaster who can canter circles on the lunge while carrying one or two children. At higher levels, you’re looking at a horse that can maintain a metronome-like canter, handle complex team routines, travel to shows, and work in busy arenas. When you’re buying or selling, it helps to be clear which part of that spectrum you’re dealing with: is this a horse for a grassroots club, a serious competitive squad, or a dual-purpose riding and vaulting partner?

Buying Vaulting Horse - what you need to know

If you’re buying a vaulting horse, start by being brutally honest about the level you need. For a beginner or recreational vaulting club, your top priority is temperament and a quiet, consistent canter. You want a horse that is happy to work on the lunge, accepts movement on their back, and recovers quickly from surprises. For competitive teams, you’ll add athleticism, uphill balance, and the ability to maintain energy throughout a full routine. Always watch the horse on the lunge at walk, trot, and canter, then with vaulters on board if possible. Look for a regular rhythm, a swinging back, and a relaxed expression even when the vaulter moves around.

When you go to view a vaulting horse for sale, ask to see how they are handled from the ground: loading, tacking up, being girthed, and walking to the arena. A good vaulting horse should be uncomplicated in daily handling; you don’t want your vaulters dealing with a horse that’s sharp to lead or anxious in new places. Ask the seller how long the horse has been used for vaulting, what level and age of vaulters they’ve carried, how often they work, and whether they’re also ridden. Request full documentation: passport, vaccination records, shoeing history, and ideally a log of their competition or club use.

Price-wise, you’ll typically see green but promising candidates, maybe ex-riding horses just starting vaulting work, in the €3,000–€7,000 range (or roughly $3,500–$7,500). Established, reliable club vaulting horses with a proven record and good health often sit between €7,000–€15,000 ($8,000–$16,000), depending on age and soundness. Top-end, competition-proven vaulting horses with results at national or international level can reach €20,000–€40,000 ($22,000–$45,000) or more. Always invest in a pre-purchase exam with a vet who understands sport horses; pay particular attention to back health, hocks, and any signs of chronic soreness, as vaulting work is demanding. Red flags include a horse that pins ears or swishes tail when someone mounts, difficulty maintaining a steady canter on a circle, or a history of back issues that’s not transparently discussed. A slightly plainer mover with a saintly brain is almost always a better buy than the flashy athlete who gets tense when vaulters move.

Everything about selling Vaulting Horse

On the selling side, vaulting horses often come from three main sources: breeders or producers who deliberately raise and train them for vaulting, private owners or clubs who are moving a horse on to a lower level or to retire from high-level sport, and dealers who recognize a calm, balanced horse and introduce them to vaulting work. Whatever your situation, your job as a seller is to present a clear, honest picture of what your horse can do, who they suit, and how they’ve been used.

Before you advertise your vaulting horse for sale, get them in consistent work so buyers see them at their best. Have up-to-date vaccinations, teeth, farrier, and ideally a recent back check from a vet or physio. Gather competition results, training videos, and references from coaches or clubs that have used the horse. Buyers will want to see the horse lunged with tack, working in the gaits they need, and, if possible, with actual vaulters on board. A short video showing mounting, basic compulsory movements, and a simple freestyle with one or two vaulters can make a big difference when selling online.

Pricing depends on age, soundness, level, and reliability. A straightforward, older schoolmaster who is safe for beginners but semi-retired from serious competition might be sensibly priced in the €4,000–€8,000 range ($4,500–$9,000), while a younger, sound, competition-proven vaulting horse with results and scope for higher levels can justify €15,000–€30,000 ($16,000–$33,000) or more. List your horse on specialized equestrian marketplaces, vaulting association websites, and social media groups where clubs and coaches actively look for vaulting horses to buy. Spring and early summer are often good times to sell, as teams prepare for the season. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about their workload, any injuries, how they behave at shows, and what type of vaulter they suit. The more open you are, the more likely you are to find a buyer who appreciates the horse for exactly what they are and gives them a long-term, appropriate home.