The Equestrian Air Vest – Self-Inflating Protection For Horse Riding Accidents

While most riders are well aware of the risks involved in falling off a horse, they may not be as familiar with the other kinds of injuries that can occur. In the past decade or so, equestrians have been adopting a new kind of protective gear to help reduce the risk of these other types of injury. The self-inflating air vest is one such piece of equipment, and it is rapidly becoming a standard item of safety gear for all riders.

Developed by companies such as Point Two, Hit-Air and Helite, the air vest works on similar principles to the impact absorbing helmets used in motorcycling and skydiving. An airbag is contained in a vest, and a coiled lanyard attached to the rider’s saddle is used to activate it. When the lanyard is pulled, it punctures an air cartridge which instantly inflates the vest around the rider’s body to cushion and absorb the impact of a fall. The inflated vests also provide stability to the spine which protects internal organs.

Inflated air vests can be triggered in a matter of milliseconds and cover the chest, back, abdomen and sides of the body. While many studies have shown that air vests significantly reduce the severity of torso injury, they do not protect against the most serious type of riding accident, a rotational fall, where the rider somersaults with the horse rather than falling away from him.

Riders can wear their air vests over a traditional body protector or a BETA Level 3 or SEI-certified helmet. The most important factor is that they should be secured to the body protector underneath, so that the air jacket can’t slip and move around the rider during a fall. Having the vest anchored to the body protector below will also prevent it from inflating accidentally, or in an unexpected way that could cause further harm.

Charles Owen recommends servicing your air vest annually, or after six inflations, to ensure that the triggering and inflation mechanisms are still functioning correctly. This will include a visual inspection and a test of the vest to make sure everything is working as it should. The company’s website currently offers a service schedule for UK customers to book a servicing appointment.

For the best results, your air vest should be worn in combination with a helmet. It is not recommended to use it with other protective gear such as neck collars or bridles and should only be worn under clothing that is compatible with the airbag’s functionality, such as a t-shirt and base layer, or a Freejump approved outer coat. It is also important to keep the air bag clean and dry to ensure it maintains its efficiency. Ideally, the vest should be stored in a climate-controlled environment. Charles Owen also recommends that you send your air vest to be cleaned by the manufacturer after every inflation or significant fall, even if no visible signs of damage are apparent.