What should I look for when buying a back protector for riders?
If you don’t want to give up maximum freedom of movement when riding and at the same time want additional protection in the event of a fall, a back protector is the ideal solution. A back protector protects the rider from serious injuries to the spine, which can even lead to paraplegia or other impairments in the event of riding accidents.
The decision for a back protector and against a body protector should always include the personal risk and the benefit of the riding protection equipment. You have a calm horse that can’t be ruffled by anything and you mainly do flatwork in a secured riding arena? Are you an experienced rider who feels secure in the saddle? In many cases, a back protector is sufficient for your own sense of safety when riding. However, if you frequently hack, take part in eventing competitions, work with spirited horses or count yourself among the more insecure riders, you should opt for a safety vest.
On the one hand, back protectors help to distribute the resulting forces over the entire back during a fall, so that serious localised injuries in the spinal area can be prevented as far as possible. Due to the stable foam elements, they also prevent the penetration of sharp objects, such as branches, stones or other obstacles, which can become dangerous objects, especially when hacking.
What size do I need? Instructions for measuring for back protectors
In order for the back protector to provide optimal protection for the rider, you should decide on the correct size when buying it. Therefore, in advance you should determine the back length that is required to find the right back protector.
The back length is measured from the top of the shoulders to the waist along the spine. A size chart is available for every protector in our range, so you can easily read off your required size.
Attention: Some back protectors are also measured from the shoulder to the tailbone, so please look carefully at the corresponding measurement table.
Horse riding back protectors for children
Children go through several growth spurts over the years. Up to puberty, up to 10 cm of body length can be added each year. Therefore, check your child’s back length regularly and replace back protectors regularly to ensure maximum protection for your child!
Horsepower – back protectors for riding and the motorcycle test standard
Back protectors have arrived in equestrian sports and are a firm authority in the field of riding protection, offering riders more safety and better protection against serious injuries. Back protectors were first developed for motorcycling in the late 1970s. The inventors were inspired by shellfish, whose multi-part back armor offers great freedom of movement despite the rigidity of the individual armor elements. In the meantime, however, high-quality foams have largely replaced the hard plastic elements originally used, as they have better shock absorption properties.
As before, back protectors for equestrian sports are also used on the basis of years of expertise in accordance with the current motorcycle test standard EN 1621-2 to ensure maximum protection. In the test procedure, the average residual impact force is measured in kilonewtons (kN) on the body part to be protected. The smaller the value, the higher the protection.
The „2“ at the end of the EN 1621-2 test standard does not stand for the protection level, but identifies the body part that is protected, in this case the back and spine.
The fitting – what should I look for when trying on the back protector?
The size charts of our back protector models offer a rough help to find the right back protector for riding. However, taking measurements and selecting according to the size chart is never a substitute for a proper fitting, where you can assess the fit individually on the respective figure type and also the comfort of the model.
Since the cut and also the handling of each back protector is different, we recommend trying on several models. Only in this way can you determine which back protector suits your figure type and your requirements.
Please also pay attention to the following points during the fitting:
- The 7th cervical vertebra must be exposed.
- Leave approx. 3-4 fingers of free space between the saddle and the back section. If there is a movable foam section on the coccyx, there should be at least enough space to allow the section to move freely.
- The back protector should also not move when you sit down and move around. If it slides up, it is too long. This can lead to life-threatening injuries in the cervical spine area.
- The protector should feel comfortable to wear.
- Check fastening options. If hook-and-loop fasteners are present, they should be able to be closed in such a way that they cannot open on their own.
The back protector must not slide up under any circumstances when moving or sitting down.
- Pay attention to the extent of protection provided by the protector. The foam elements of some models also provide solid protection for the shoulder area. Back protector vests often have additional light chest and rib protection integrated on the front.
- Pay attention to breathability: Simple back protectors are closed at the front with straps and hook-and-loop fasteners only. They get by with relatively little fabric and therefore offer the best ventilation properties. However, back protectors are now also made of breathable materials and thus prevent heat accumulation in summer.
The German Equestrian Federation recommends the following test:
If you can do a forward roll with your back protector, the required freedom of movement is also guaranteed when riding.
Tips for the correct fit of back protectors
Important facts about using your back protector
A back protector is the optimal compromise if you want to increase your sense of safety while riding while maintaining freedom of movement. In order to take advantage of the full protective effect of a back protector, you should consider the following aspects when handling the protector:
- As with all riding protection articles, wearing a back protector close to the body is important. As a guide, a maximum of two thin layers of clothing should be worn under the protector (e.g. undershirt and light shirt). Thick sweaters or jackets are worn over the back protector.
- It is best to store the back protector at room temperature. Extreme cold or heat will damage the material. Storage in an overheated car or in a barn in sub-zero temperatures should be avoided.
- Keyword cleaning: For correct cleaning, always follow the washing recommendations on the label. As a rule, normal dried-in stains such as mud residues etc. can be removed quite easily with a soft brush. More stubborn stains should also be removable with a damp cloth and some mild shampoo. Do not treat back protectors – and especially the foam sections – with aggressive chemical cleaning agents!
- Back protectors reduce the risk of life-threatening injuries, but full protection in equestrian sports can never be guaranteed. Adequate training of horse and rider and the wearing of further safety equipment such as riding hat, riding gloves and safe footwear additionally contribute to risk reduction.