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Body Protectors & Air Vests for Horse Riding

Q: What body protectors and air vests are available for riding?

The purpose of a body protector is to protect the torso from dangerous injuries. Unlike back protectors, which focus on protecting the spine, body protectors use foam inserts to protect the chest, internal organs, shoulder area and spine. Air vests for riding offer additional protection for the upper body and internal organs. These are attached to the saddle via a strap, which is in turn connected to a gas cartridge inside the vest. In the event of a fall, the strap is pulled, triggering the cartridge and activating the airbag in the vest. Before your body hits the ground, the airbag has fully deployed, protecting your neck and back from serious injury. There are the following types of body protectors for riding: Classic body protectors with large foam panels. Body protectors with smaller foam panels for a more flexible fit Air vests with an airbag that deploys during a fall In our shop you will find various body protectors exclusively with the highest safety level 3. Our air vests for riding are certified to the NF S72-800:2022 airbag vest standard. Like a riding hat, a body protector, air vests or a back protector is part of a rider's basic safety equipment, regardless of whether he or she hacks, hunts, breaks in a young horse or takes part in a competition.

Q: When should I wear a body protector or air vest when riding?

Wearing a body protector prevents life-threatening injuries in the areas of the rib cage and the spine. Taking this aspect into account, the use of a body protector also makes sense for recreational riders, even if a body protector only prevents painful bruises in the back area. Ultimately, each rider must decide for themselves how much residual risk they are willing to accept or what they are willing to invest in their own safety and health. Anyone taking part in eventing and jumping with fixed obstacles must, in accordance with the regulations, wear a body protector. A body protector compliant with BETA: 2018 Level 3 is recommended for this purpose. Many riders prefer an air vest, as this provides even better protection for the upper body on impact thanks to the inflating air cushions. When eventing, an air vest may be worn over the mandatory body protector. A body protector or air vest is appropriate in the following situations: When jumping When dealing with young and hot horses When riding as a beginner, child or anxious rider When hacking or hunting

Q: How should a body protector fit properly?

The correct fit is crucial for the maximum protection that a body protector can offer. It should fit comfortably and offer sufficient freedom of movement. You can adjust the size of the body protector using the Velcro fastener on the side. Make sure that the red marks on the Velcro fasteners are covered when you close the body protector. If they are still visible, the body protector is too small and will not provide you with full protection. A correctly fitted body protector leaves the 7th cervical vertebra free. Also, try the body protector on in the saddle or on a saddle block. When leaning back slightly, the body protector should not hit the rim of the saddle, which could cause the body protector to move.

Q: How should an air vest fit?

Similar to conventional body protectors, an air vest should not hit the cantle when sitting in the saddle. Otherwise, when leaning backwards, the air vest could slip and thus no longer guarantee maximum safety. To determine the correct size, measure your back length and compare the results with the size chart provided for the air vest. Bear in mind that the rider should have a back length of at least 28cm and a body weight of at least 30kg for the air vest to provide optimal protection. Finally, you can adjust the air vest to your body circumference using the waist belt. It is important to check the correct fit regularly, as changes in your clothing can also affect the fit of the air vest. For further information on air vests for riding, please refer to our guide on air vests.

Q: What should be considered when buying body protectors and air vests?

When buying a body protector, make sure that in addition to the certified standards, it also has a correct fit. Body protectors must fit close to the body, which is why thick jumpers and riding jackets should be worn over them. Therefore, when trying on the body protector, make sure that you wear thinner clothing that you can wear underneath the body protector when riding in summer or winter. Whereas with an air vest, all outer garments must be worn underneath the air vest so as not to obstruct the deployment of the airbag. When trying it on, it is therefore advisable to try the air vest on with your usual winter jacket. The hook and loop fasteners on the sides must close completely. In addition, the hook and loop fasteners must close so well that they do not open by themselves in the event of a fall. It is recommended that you roll forward when trying on the body protector so that you have sufficient freedom of movement despite the body protector being close to your body.

Q: Which air vest is suitable for children?

An air vest is not suitable for very young riders, as it requires a minimum body weight of 30kg and a back length of at least 28cm. Therefore, an air vest is only recommended for most children from around 8 to 10 years old, once they have reached the specified measurements. The reasoning is that the airbag's force could potentially harm children's developing bodies. Additionally, there is a dangerous possibility that the airbag might not deploy in the event of a fall if the rider does not meet the minimum weight requirement.

Filter

What body protectors and air vests are available for riding?

The purpose of a body protector is to protect the torso from dangerous injuries. Unlike back protectors, which focus on protecting the spine, body protectors use foam inserts to protect the chest, internal organs, shoulder area and spine. Air vests for riding offer additional protection for the upper body and internal organs. These are attached to the saddle via a strap, which is in turn connected to a gas cartridge inside the vest. In the event of a fall, the strap is pulled, triggering the cartridge and activating the airbag in the vest. Before your body hits the ground, the airbag has fully deployed, protecting your neck and back from serious injury.
There are the following types of body protectors for riding:

Classic body protectors with large foam panels.
Body protectors with smaller foam panels for a more flexible fit
Air vests with an airbag that deploys during a fall

In our shop you will find various body protectors exclusively with the highest safety level 3. Our air vests for riding are certified to the NF S72-800:2022 airbag vest standard.
Like a riding hat, a body protector, air vests or a back protector is part of a rider's basic safety equipment, regardless of whether he or she hacks, hunts, breaks in a young horse or takes part in a competition.

When should I wear a body protector or air vest when riding?

Wearing a body protector prevents life-threatening injuries in the areas of the rib cage and the spine. Taking this aspect into account, the use of a body protector also makes sense for recreational riders, even if a body protector only prevents painful bruises in the back area. Ultimately, each rider must decide for themselves how much residual risk they are willing to accept or what they are willing to invest in their own safety and health.
Anyone taking part in eventing and jumping with fixed obstacles must, in accordance with the regulations, wear a body protector. A body protector compliant with BETA: 2018 Level 3 is recommended for this purpose. Many riders prefer an air vest, as this provides even better protection for the upper body on impact thanks to the inflating air cushions. When eventing, an air vest may be worn over the mandatory body protector.
A body protector or air vest is appropriate in the following situations:

When jumping
When dealing with young and hot horses
When riding as a beginner, child or anxious rider
When hacking or hunting

How should a body protector fit properly?

The correct fit is crucial for the maximum protection that a body protector can offer. It should fit comfortably and offer sufficient freedom of movement. You can adjust the size of the body protector using the Velcro fastener on the side. Make sure that the red marks on the Velcro fasteners are covered when you close the body protector. If they are still visible, the body protector is too small and will not provide you with full protection.
A correctly fitted body protector leaves the 7th cervical vertebra free. Also, try the body protector on in the saddle or on a saddle block. When leaning back slightly, the body protector should not hit the rim of the saddle, which could cause the body protector to move.

How should an air vest fit?

Similar to conventional body protectors, an air vest should not hit the cantle when sitting in the saddle. Otherwise, when leaning backwards, the air vest could slip and thus no longer guarantee maximum safety.
To determine the correct size, measure your back length and compare the results with the size chart provided for the air vest. Bear in mind that the rider should have a back length of at least 28cm and a body weight of at least 30kg for the air vest to provide optimal protection.
Finally, you can adjust the air vest to your body circumference using the waist belt. It is important to check the correct fit regularly, as changes in your clothing can also affect the fit of the air vest.
For further information on air vests for riding, please refer to our guide on air vests.

What should be considered when buying body protectors and air vests?

When buying a body protector, make sure that in addition to the certified standards, it also has a correct fit. Body protectors must fit close to the body, which is why thick jumpers and riding jackets should be worn over them. Therefore, when trying on the body protector, make sure that you wear thinner clothing that you can wear underneath the body protector when riding in summer or winter. Whereas with an air vest, all outer garments must be worn underneath the air vest so as not to obstruct the deployment of the airbag. When trying it on, it is therefore advisable to try the air vest on with your usual winter jacket.
The hook and loop fasteners on the sides must close completely. In addition, the hook and loop fasteners must close so well that they do not open by themselves in the event of a fall. It is recommended that you roll forward when trying on the body protector so that you have sufficient freedom of movement despite the body protector being close to your body.

Which body protector is suitable for children?

Children cannot yet correctly assess their abilities when riding, which is why wearing a body protector for children is recommended. The same principles apply as for adult body protectors when trying them on. In our shop you can buy children's body protectors in sizes from KXXS to KL. All our body protectors are certified with a safety label. All our body protectors are certified with the highest safety level.

Which air vest is suitable for children?

An air vest is not suitable for very young riders, as it requires a minimum body weight of 30kg and a back length of at least 28cm. Therefore, an air vest is only recommended for most children from around 8 to 10 years old, once they have reached the specified measurements. The reasoning is that the airbag's force could potentially harm children's developing bodies. Additionally, there is a dangerous possibility that the airbag might not deploy in the event of a fall if the rider does not meet the minimum weight requirement.

What level of protection should the body protectors or air vests have?

To determine the level of protection of body protectors, there is BETA 2018 and a similar test procedure in Europe, EN 13158.
Both assign a level from 1 - 3, with level 1 body protectors meeting the lowest level of protection and level 3 body protectors meeting the highest level of protection. A body protector complying with the EN 13158 Level 3 standard is recommended. Air vests are tested in accordance with the standard for protective clothing with airbags for riders. The air vests you can purchase from us are certified to standard NF S72-800:2022.