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Equestrian Body Protector

For safer horse riding an equestrian body protector is a must have item

 

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Equestrian Body Protector

An equestrian body protector is an important piece of safety equipment for all horse riders, young and old alike. These foam filled sleeveless jackets or vests are designed to offer protection to the rider's torso should they receive a kick from a horse or have a fall.

Injuries cannot be prevented by using an equestrian body protector but it can make a world of difference between a more severe injury and a minor one. At first use, an equestrian body protector may seem stiff and uncomfortable but after a short time the foam will mould itself to the wearer's body shape and so will become much more comfortable to wear.

Usually an equestrian body protector comprises of separate front and back panels which are attached with velcro over the shoulders and down both sides to enable adjustment for the wearer of the body protector, so ensuring a secure fit. The body protector should be adjusted to fit securely. It must fit comfortably around the body with no exposed velcro on the fastenings. A measure of correct fitting can be seen by the fact that the body protector does not move whilst the wearer is riding.

All equestrian body protectors, in the UK, must conform to the current British Safety Standard. You should check the label specifications to confirm that is the case. Body protector labels are colour coded for guidance, Brown labels signify that the protector is suitable for general riding and offers medium protection to the wearer during low risk riding. A Purple labeled body protector offers the highest safety and is suitable for more strenuous riding including competition riding, normal riding, hard surface or road riding and working with horses.

Although it may be seen as a needless expense, an equestrian body protector should be worn to help offer impact protection when riding. It has been shown that impacts from falls when riding, and knocks from objects such as fence posts or trees are classic examples of injuries that would have been less severe if the rider had worn a body protector. An equestrian body protector is a highly recommended piece of safety equipment for anyone involved in the riding or caring of horses but it should be noted that protection is only offered to the upper torso of the wearer and there is no protection from being crushed by a horse or to the spine.

Between 1997 and late 2008, it was estimated that 37 riders died as a result of injuries received while competing in events at national or international level.

It has been determined that at least 25 of these 37 deaths were the direct result of a somersaulting fall of the horse, it is statistics like these that spurred (excuse the pun) many major riding events to introduce new rules and regulations regarding the compulsory wearing of safety wear during events.

Safety is a very important issue in horse riding and the BETA standard for body and shoulder protectors is now accepted as the world wide industry standard. For all future purchases of safety equipment, such as hats or body protectors, it is wise to choose a stockist who is BETA certified so that you can be sure that the product is manufactured to the latest safety standards.

Equestrian body protectors are compulsory for most organized events and cross country riding and are highly recommended for all jumping, hacking, road riding, teaching of youngsters and racing, although the wisest course of action is to wear one at all times when on or near horses. Many riding centers now insist on a body protector not only for showjumping and cross-country but also for lessons and hacking.

As with all body protectors, the more you wear them the more they mould to your body and so become more comfortable. To function properly, body protectors should fit snugly. At first, the wearing of a body protector will seem strange but with time it will become second nature to wear one, especially as the more the rider wears one the more it will shape itself to the riders body shape.

Today, riders require a lightweight, breathable and flexible protector, which fits like a second skin, and one that is totally unrestrictive yet will provide the ultimate protection in the event of a bad fall. Advances in foam technology have led to the introduction of much lighter materials, which in turn offers more comfortability for the wearer without loss of protection.

 

Sizing and fitting

It is very important that the body protector that you select should be the correct fit. It should fit snugly when worn over lightweight clothing, but in bad weather or during the winter months it should allow for outer garments to be worn over it.

A correctly fitted Equestrian Body Protector should cover the areas of the body listed below.

  • The complete circumference of the torso.
  • The front should reach at least to 25mm below the last rib.
  • The sides should reach below the pelvis.
  • The back should extend at least 15cm below the top of the pelvis (adults).
  • The front protector should the top of the sternum under the chin.
  • The back should cover the 7th vertebra (base of the neck).

The best solution to buying an Equestrian Body Protector is to visit a reputable dealer so that you can be fitted for the ideal protector for your body size. You will be able to get a full explanation and sound advice which will aid you in any future protector purchases.

Although it may be quite tempting, due to costs, to purchase a second hand body protector, it could turn out to be false economy in the long run due to the fact that a previously owned protector may no longer have the strength and rigidity of a new one and so no longer be able to offer the wearer the the maximum support and protection it was designed with.

Even if the event or occasion doesn’t require them It’s always a good practice to wear a suitable body protector. There are various manufacturers of just about all types and styles of equestrian body protection gear and most can be fitted to wear with just about any type of equestrian riding apparel. Nowadays almost everyone acknowledges that the use of an equestrian body protector is not only needed but is also very sensible, it is the level of protection that is sometimes in question.

 

Other safety wear

Injuries from a fall cannot be completely avoided but their impact to riders can be greatly reduced through the use of proper safety wear. The issue of horse riding protection is not just about body protectors but also of riding helmets.

Although a riding hat will not prevent serious injury in a major accident, they do offer riders excellent protection if they are worn and will help lessen injuries during minor falls or accidents. Like the body protector a riding hat must fit properly to be of any use, wearing an ill fitting hat or helmet is the same as wearing none at all.

Nowadays riding hats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and design, but they are for the most part very stylish and are suitable for pleasure riding or organized events.

Riding boots are another item of equestrian safety wear that are deemed an important and essential piece of kit, although again it pays to shop around before purchasing a pair.

There are basically two types of riding boot, the full length and the shorter ankle style called Paddock boots, for the beginner it is probably advisable to purchase a pair of the Paddock boots as they are considerably cheaper than the full length type. It also makes more sense if the wearer is a child as they will soon out-grow them and continuously replacing the more expensive full length boots will quickly become a drain on the pocket.

Please visit our NEW equestrian store and see our fantastic range of goods on offer. The link below will take you there or use the link in the main menu at the top right of page.

Visit Our Equestrian Store

Remember ! Safety First - ALWAYS

Although it should never be overstated, there are many risks involved in horse riding. You can certainly help to reduce these risks if you are well enough prepared. You can start by selecting the right type of clothing and ensuring you get the appropriate tack or gear, which will help reduce the chance of being seriously injured in any kind of accident. Remember that you need an equestrian body protector at all times, regardless of what kind of horse riding activity you intend to participate in and no matter how “casual” you think you will be.

Take very good care of your body protector and never lend it to anybody else. It is quite unlikely that it is going to fit another person correctly and therefore could prove very unsafe in the unfortunate event that they have an accident. Also to bear in mind is the fact that you never know whether the protector has come into contact with anything sharp or damaging when it is out of your sight and thus its usability may very well be compromised.

And just as you would with a racing hat or a helmet, the body protector should be changed immediately if it is impacted in any way or if it shows the slightest sign of damage whatsoever. Remember that this is your first line of defence, together with your racing hat, should the unforeseen happen.

 

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