While you're ambling along the trail on your trusty steed, it's hard to believe that horse riding is one of the most dangerous pastimes around.

In fact, it's the sport that poses the highest risk of brain injury worldwide.

Horses are a prey species and as such, they have a highly developed flight response to stimuli.  They can also be brave creatures that will do anything for their rider or a stubborn mass of flying hooves and gnashing teeth.

Yet, accidents happen to even the best horses and horsemen so it makes sense to wear the appropriate horseback riding safety equipment at all times.

The main ones are a riding helmet and an equestrian safety vest.

What is an Equestrian Safety Vest?

Equestrian safety vests are also known as body protectors or flak jackets. They're similar to a waistcoat that's filled with protective material to cushion the blow from a fall.

While an equestrian safety vest is unlikely to save your life in a serious accident, it can protect you from broken ribs and bruises. It certainly softens the blow on your torso during a fall.

Although you should never mount up without your helmet, the use of horse riding safety vests is largely up tot he rider. They're only required or recommended when riding over a cross country course of fixed jumps.

Most instructors, and parents, prefer it if their children wear a protective vest at all times when mounted. It's a long way down for these little riders and a jarring fall could destroy their confidence even if they're unharmed.

Buying the perfect safety vest for your little one isn't as easy as some equestrian shopping though. Picking out the latest fashions in pastel-colored jodhpurs, buying a kid horse riding helmet, or children's western wear is a breeze compared to finding the best safety gear.

These are some things to consider when buying a body protector for yourself or your child.

Choosing the Right Safety Gear

It would be a lot easier to decide on the best equestrian safety vest if there were hard and fast rules concerning their use. 

Current USEA rules currently only recommend ASTM or SEI certification. Equestrian Canada recommends that vests are ASTM or BETA certified. That makes choosing the best horseback riding safety vest is largely up to you.

Here are some guidelines to help you pick the right one.

Firstly, let's look at all those acronyms and what they mean:

ASTM and SEI

ASTM is a checklist for riding gear that determines how much safety it offers. For example -

●     A body protector that meets ASTM F2681-08 criteria means it is suitable for trail riding and racing.

●     ASTM F1937-04 checks all the boxes for most equestrian sports

Anybody can make equestrian gear that meets these standards but it won't be official until SEI says it is.  SEI is the company that tests whether equipment does in fact meet the ASTM suggestions.

BETA and EN

BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) and EN (European Norms For Protective Clothing) have their own set of standards that they test themselves.

They rate safety gear according to the following:

●     Black Label Level 1 is the lowest form of protection suitable only for racing

●     Brown Label Level 2 is only suitable for low-risk situations

●     Purple Label Level 3 is good for general riding competitions, roadwork, and working with young horses

A level 3 horse riding safety vest prevents minor bruising, reduces soft tissue injuries, and can prevent rib fractures.

Body protectors are expensive and few people can afford one for every situation. So, it makes sense to go for the highest level of protection when buying one for your child or yourself.

That's that then, right? No, it isn't. There are still more things to consider when choosing the best upper body horse riding protection.

Comfort is Key

Like anything that's filled with foam, equestrian safety vests are pretty rigid. The higher they're rated, the stiffer they're bound to be.

This can cause great discomfort while riding and even indirectly cause a fall due to the rider tensing up in the saddle. Most vests will become more malleable as they warm with body heat, so it's best to wear the jacket for a while before heading out on the course.

Choose the Right Length

If your vest is too long, it could get caught in the saddle, tipping you forward. Usually, you can adjust the size of the body protector slightly by means of tabs at the shoulders and waist.

Yet, it pays to get the best fitting one from the start. Here's how:

●     Wear your usual riding clothes when visiting the tack shop

●     Using a tape measure, measure the diameter of the widest point of the chest

●     Measure the waistline

●     Sit in a chair or saddle and measure the distance from the base of your neck to about 4 inches above the seat.

Compare the measurements to the manufacturer's size chart to help you choose the correct size body protector. When in doubt, go for the smaller size, a safety vest should always fit snugly against your torso.

Try the vest on and adjust the shoulder and waist tabs until you get a good fit. Move around in while wearing the garment to see if it interferes with your usual movements while riding.

Remember, there is a vast range of different brands available with the same safety rating, so don't settle for one that's uncomfortable or restrictive.

Know Your Stuff

Horse sports are just one of the items of interest you'll find on our website.

So whether you're in the market for an equestrian safety vest or want the latest sporting news, keep reading.

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