Horse Riding Body Protectors

Horse riding body protectors are designed to protect riders’ upper body in case of falls or accidents while riding and handling horses. As materials and design evolve, these protectors are becoming more effective and accepted by equestrians all over the world. As helmets are essential for protecting riders’ heads, body protectors for horse riders can help reduce the risk of injury in case of an accident.

Equestrian sports require making decisions in split seconds, and sometimes, it’s easy to forget that it’s a sport that involves partnering with 400+ kg individuals with their own minds, fears, and thoughts, which makes it even more unpredictable. In the event of a fall, many other variables are involved, and only a few millimetres can mark the difference between an injury or walking away harmlessly.

Horse riding body protectors have been used for years in cross-country and have become mandatory equipment in that discipline, driving, and for junior show jumping riders in some European countries. However, wearing an equestrian body protector is still optional in other disciplines, but since top-level and professional athletes are increasingly using them for training and competing, why not adopt them at any level?

At Discount Equestrian, we are a team of horse enthusiasts, and we understand the risks involved with our wonderful sport. That’s why we are committed to providing the best products for you and your horses and encouraging safe practices to help you make the most of the amazing equestrian world. It’s important to break an old prejudice that relates safety measures with ability. The safer you are, the more chances you will have to ride, learn, and continue growing and improving your horsemanship in this activity where you never stop learning, and that is maybe what makes it so captivating. With all this being said, let’s move on!

Child’s Horse Riding Body Protectors

Child’s riding body protectors bring multiple benefits: most importantly, they prevent unnecessary injuries and provide parents extra peace of mind, knowing their kids are protected. Also, injuries can undermine the confidence of any rider, so kids body protectors keep them focused and can help them recover their confidence after a fall quicker and more effortlessly. Also, horse riding body protectors for children are a great way to create safety awareness for the new generations of riders to come.

Besides, some categories, like pony club eventing and some riding schools and teachers, require the little ones to use a kids body protector. It’s essential to invest in a high-quality product that actually helps protect your kids and follow the riding instructors’ and manufacturers’ advice regarding fitting along with how often and when you should replace them.

Adults Body Protectors for Horse Riding

Body protectors for horse riders provide adults safety and protection for all riding activities and equestrian disciplines. Accidents may happen, and the more protected, the better.

Horse riding body protectors are made to be comfortable and allow freedom of movement. They are more flexible now and designed to adapt to the body. Some models are so slim and fit so well that they go unnoticed, while others are slightly bulkier, but overall, the newer designs and materials introduced over the past 5-10 years are more comfortable, breathable, and lighter than the old more rigid designs. If you are opposed to wearing a body protector, mainly because it feels restrictive, you could opt instead for a back protector or air jacket. Back protectors are basically a slimed down body protector that only provide extra protection to your back. They are not going to provide the same protection as a full-on body protector but they are still better than nothing and will usually fit comfortably under your jacket, gilet or competition jacket.

Equestrian body protectors also help reduce confidence loss caused by falls and injuries, but it’s always important to put your horse and your safety first and ride responsibly.

Horse Riding Air Jackets

Air jackets for horse riding took their advanced technology from motorcycling sports. They are designed for added protection to the back, neck, lumbar area, rib cage, cervical spine, pelvis, and sacrum areas. In case of a fall, a cord attached to a fixed point of the horse triggers a latch connected to a small, pressurised gas cannister that releases a gas charge, rapidly inflating the riding air jacket and cushioning the impact. Horse riding air jackets are durable and don’t require much maintenance, just regular cleaning. In case of a fall or an accidental inflation, you can buy a replacement CO2 bottle for a small fraction of the cost of a new vest.

Typically, air jackets can be worn on their own or over the top of your regular body protector. Cross country rules require that you wear a level 3 body protector at a minimum and an optional air jacket over the top. When fitting you need to allow enough space between the air jacket and your body or body protector (if wearing one) so when your air jacket inflates, it has enough space to expand. You should really decide from the off whether you will use a body protector underneath or not, so you can purchase the correct fitting air jacket. You want the air jacket to expand to your body quite tightly when it is inflated to provide the desired protection. Usually, a small fist of space down the front between body or body protector and air vest is enough space to allow for expansion.

Some riders, particularly showjumpers, do not like the extra bulk of wearing a riding air jacket, particularly the original air jacket designs, so brands such as Helite have introduced more light weight, less bulky options which still provide brilliant protection. The materials used now are more stretchy so not to restrict your movement and also ventilated so you don’t feel like you are wearing an extra layer. These lighter weight air jackets are quite discreet, great for affiliated showjumping, and most of the time can be worn over the top of your competition jacket. There are now outer jackets available that allow a zip in air vest so if you are not keen on the look of an outer air jacket sitting on top, you can wear one inside a jacket or gilet. Same applies to competition jackets, Helite for example have introduced the Air Jump outer competition jacket that allows an air vest to be zipped inside.

A separate air jacket on its own is probably going to give you the most flexibility, whether competing or wearing while training or hacking.

The most important advice is just please remember to wear it – your air jacket or is no good to you unless you are wearing it! Oh, and BTW, don’t forget to unclip your air jacket before getting off, we have all been there.

At Discount Equestrian, we have a wide variety of high-quality body protectors for horse riders as well as air jackets from top brands such as Airowear®, Champion®, Helite®, John Whitaker®, Point Two®, Racesafe®, Rhinegold®, Seaver®, and USG®.

Safety Information

The British Equestrian Trade Association is in charge of testing horse riding body protectors and determine their protection level. There are currently three levels of protection:

• Level 1 (Green Label): This is the lowest protection level and is only recommended for licensed jockeys. These riding body protectors are designed to meet the strict weight standards of professional horse racing.
  
• Level 2 (Orange Label): A level 2 horse riding body protector offers mild protection, and it’s recommended for low-risk activities or professional riders.
  
• Level 3 (Blue Label): This is the highest protection level and is advised for riders of all levels and disciplines. These body protectors for equestrians are efficient for reducing impact and preventing bruising and injuries in general.

Old level 3 protection models were classified as “purple label”. They offered a similar protection level to the current level 3 body protectors for horse riders; however, it’s important to notice that some governing bodies and ruling organisations like the British Eventing and The Pony Club are no longer allowing riders to use purple label jackets since the last months of 2023.

Also, there is a tendency from the manufacturers to stop manufacturing Level 1 horse riding body protectors and aim for higher protection standards. They are improving their level 2 and 3 models while retiring level 1 models from the market. Blue label body protectors for horse riders are currently the safest choice, and they meet the requirements of all equestrian ruling bodies.

Air jackets for horse riding are still relatively new, and although they are proven to offer a high protection level, they haven’t been rated yet. They are not compulsory for any discipline, and even when they are excellent, if you are competing, check with your sports’ ruling entity if they are allowed or meet the required safety standards.

Proper fitting is essential to ensure the efficiency of your body protector and/or air jacket. If you need help choosing the perfect body protector for horse riding or need more information about fitting, protection levels, or any other questions, feel free to contact our friendly Discount Equestrian expert team to book an appointment. We are fully qualified to assist you. If our Elwick store is outside your area, please contact us so we can help you find a BETA-trained body protector fitting service or a qualified professional to assist you in correctly fitting your horse riding body protector.

Check out our fantastic Riding Hats and Helmets and Jockey Skull Caps ranges for other protective wear options. All our products are carefully selected to provide the best protection at the best prices.

We aim to offer the best quality products from top equestrian brands at unbeatable prices. That’s why we created our Price Match Promise program; if you find a product listed at a lower price on the website of any online retail competition, we will strive to match that price for you (Terms and Conditions Apply).