Using Equestrian Vests to Reduce the Risk of Serious Injury

In the world of equestrian sport, there are few things more valuable than safety. Accidents happen, but you can reduce the risk of serious injury significantly by using the right equipment and following basic safety guidelines.

Whether you are schooling on the flat or jumping in competition, riding safely is essential. Many riders find comfort and confidence in wearing a protective vest, and there are plenty of options to choose from. A good vest will cover most of the body from the chest down and should fit well enough to stay on even after a fall. It should also be durable enough to withstand repeated impacts without wearing out.

The two main types of equestrian vests are air vests and body protectors. The former is designed to inflate on impact, while the latter offers permanent protection. Body protectors are made of lightweight foam that dissipates the force of a fall, protecting the torso at all times. While they do not protect against crush injuries, the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) recommends their use.

While research has shown that helmets dramatically reduce the chance of serious injury, there has been little research on other safety equipment like protective vests. However, a recent study suggests that air vests offer a significant amount of additional protection for a rider during a fall, compared to a body protector alone. British eventing’s national safety officer Jonathan Clissold helped conduct the study, which used cadavers dropped on crash test dummies while wearing both an air vest and a body protector. The results showed that the vest reduced the chance of a serious injury by up to 81%.

However, there is still a debate about how effective the air vests are, especially in light of some studies showing that they do not significantly reduce the likelihood of a spinal cord injury. The BETA maintains a set of safety standards for vests that include coverage tests, testing of the impact of a falling rider over fence rails and flat ground, and annual re-testing of shock-absorbing foams. While some vests are designed with inflatable collars that inflate upon impact to prevent neck hyperextension, there is no evidence that these improve the outcome of cervical spinal cord injuries, which occur more often than head injuries.

In addition to a quality protective vest, riders can help to keep themselves safe by wearing reflective clothing or riding in bright colors when out on the trail or near roads, wearing hunter orange if out with horses in areas that hunters frequent, and performing periodic visual inspections of all equipment to make sure that it is in good condition. As a nurse who works in an emergency department, I know that the more precautions that a rider takes will ultimately increase their chances of staying safe on their horse and in the event of a bad fall.

Whether you’re shopping for an air vest or a traditional protective vest, the best way to make the choice that is right for you is to visit a tack shop where you can try on various styles and sizes and find the one that fits and feels comfortable. Be sure to inspect your vest regularly and replace it every 3-7 years, depending on its age.