Horseback riding is one of the most unique sports in the world. A human and an animal forge a partnership based on trust and nonverbal communication, leaping over fences and performing intricate movements on the flat. For anyone that’s lucky enough to experience it, riding horses can feel almost magical.
The sport comes with inherent risk, though. Even the best-trained horses can be unpredictable, and humans can get hurt. Luckily, equestrian sports have evolved with safety in mind, and new technology is constantly emerging to mitigate the chance of injury when things go wrong. Wearing a helmet and investing in special equipment like body protectors and safety stirrups can give you confidence in the saddle and help you enjoy the ride worry-free.
Back in the day, people rode without helmets, covering their heads with top hats or wool caps. Even when hard hats first emerged, they lacked a chin strap and just perched on the rider’s head. The effects of head trauma are better understood today, and helmets are required at many riding barns and during competitions. In recent years, helmets have even begun to include features like temporal protection and Mips technology.
Designed by a brain surgeon and biomechanics scientist, the Mips Safety System is an insert designed to allow for a small amount of movement on impact. This helps to “redirect rotational motion away from the head” and can reduce the severity of a head injury. Some helmets on the market offer models both with and without Mips, like the Equinavia Crown and the OneK Defender. Kask, Samshield, and LeMieux are popular models that don’t offer Mips.
It’s crucial to wear a helmet designed specifically for equestrian sports as they are tested under the conditions experienced during a fall from a horse. Bicycle helmets will not provide adequate protection for your head.
Riding helmets are certified to varying safety standards; in the U.S., helmets should at least meet the ASTM standard, but different countries may have different testing protocols. For example, Evoke, the official helmet of US Equestrian, is a British brand expanding into the U.S. market. These helmets meet rigorous British and European standards, in addition to satisfying ASTM requirements.
To shop our online selection of helmets, click here.
Body protectors and safety vests are another option for a rider who wants to feel more secure in the saddle. Traditional body protectors are made of segmented foam, designed to protect your torso on impact. These vests are allowed to be worn at hunter/jumper shows, and they are actually required during the cross-country phase of eventing, where solid fences and high speeds pose a higher risk to rider safety.
The full line of Racesafe vests is proudly available at Saddlers Row. Their Motion3 body protector has greater segmentation of their innovative multi-foam material for maximum flexibility and freedom of movement. These vests also have increased ventilation with mesh covers to keep you cool and comfortable. Plus, they are certified by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) at a Level 3, which is the highest level recognized.
Though effective, traditional body protectors can feel a little bulky or awkward to some people. For these riders, air vests are an alternative. Almost like an airbag, air vests are ultra-sleek and can blend seamlessly with dark show coats.They lie flat until inflated, so they fit just like another layer of clothing until they’re needed.
These vests have increased in popularity among hunter/jumper riders through the highest levels of the sport over the past decade. Even show jumping legends like Laura Kraut can be spotted in air vests at the most prestigious competitions around the world, proving that no rider is too skilled to wear one.
Air vests connect to the saddle with a special cord that is attached to a canister of compressed air. When the rider is separated from the horse, the cord is pulled, which triggers the mechanism to puncture the air canister and release gas into the vest, inflating it. Once a vest is deployed, you’ll have to buy and install a new air canister. Many saddleries—including Saddlers Row—sell these!
To shop our selection of body protectors and air vests online, click here.
Safety stirrups are another piece of equipment to consider. Unlike standard stirrups, which are completely fixed and rigid, safety stirrups have a moveable component that helps prevent the foot from getting stuck during a fall. This mechanism varies by brand, but the general idea remains the same: the outside branch of the stirrup gives when pressure is applied to allow the foot out.
For example, the outside branch of Tech Stirrups hinges so the foot can slip out through the gap, which is actually the widest opening of any safety stirrup on the market. The Acavallo Rel-X 180 stirrups have an outer branch that can rotate 180-degrees, while the FreeJump Soft’Up Stirrups feature a flexible stirrup branch that bends under force, as opposed to hinging.
To shop safety stirrups, click here.
It’s important to note that both air vests and safety stirrups have specific models for children and adults. Because these products operate under force, weight is a crucial factor: a child will not be heavy enough to trigger the safety mechanisms of an adult’s vest or safety stirrups.
As always, a well-fitted piece of equipment is always the safest piece of equipment. If you’d like assistance finding the right gear for you or your child, call or visit us in-store to be assisted by one of our sales associates.
By: Maggie Markiewicz