Horse Serious

Even the most experienced equestrians should be wearing safety vests. Every year there are preventable injuries and even deaths from riders not wearing proper safety equipment. Should wearing safety vests be normalized or even mandatory?

When we start riding we are always warned about potential safety hazards. Don’t walk too close to a horse’s rear-end, No open-toed shoes in the barn and always wear a helmet. But how often do we hear or even see people put on a safety vest? 

Some riders may think, “safety vests? Aren’t they only for cross country or other high-risks forms of riding?” Well, horse related injuries aren’t restricted to one or two forms of the sport. An injury can happen at any time, in any place. No matter how well you know your horse, something unpredictable can happen and leave you vulnerable to injuries. 

Should Equestrians Wear Safety Vests?

Protective gear and technology for horseback riding has increased and improved in recent years. New technological advancements are making safety equipment more comfortable, stylish and most importantly more protective. However, are they necessary? 

Preventable Injuries & Minimal Risk

Even riders with the most experience can get injured from the sport. Although rates of injuries aren’t as high as other sports, when there are injuries they are most often severe. There are approximately 2300 hospitalizations annually from horse-related incidents. Wearing a helmet is crucial when riding a horse, especially as a jumper. 

Wearing a safety vest not only protects your core, it provides support for your neck and adds an extra layer of protection to your entire body. When you wear safety equipment, you feel more confident which is beneficial for yourself and the horse. Falling off a horse puts your entire body at risk, including inner organs, spine, ribs, and tail bones. That is all reduced when you put on a safety vest. 

Comfort

Safety vest technology has improved greatly over the years. Now there are inflatable airbag vests that are lightweight and have quick inflation speeds. Most of these vests provide reassurance that allow riders to be confident, comfortable and safe. Back in the day, safety vests were bulky, heavy and you had to strap yourself in. Equipment now is easy to put on, lightweight, durable and even stylish. 

Normalizing Safety Vests 

Just like helmets, safety vests need to become a priority. Horse related injuries are often on the serious side and pose health risks to the entire body. Give yourself extra insurance by choosing to wear a safety vest. We put so much money into our horses, their tack and going to shows, we might as well make an investment into safety. By wearing a helmet and vest you are securing your overall well being. Additionally, you are giving yourself the opportunity to ride for longer because you are minimizing any risk of injuries.

Safety equipment in the equestrian world, aside from helmets, isn’t extremely common. However, many parents and coaches are aiming to make vests and other forms of safety gear mandatory by the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation). 

The great thing about equestrian gear is that it can be highly personalized and customizable. This is also true for safety vests. Companies like Helite, create extremely durable, personal and technical safety vests. Helite has been in the safety equipment business for over 20 years and started with motorcycles. They are a safety company, not a fashion company, although their vests are stylish and sleek.  

Bottom Line 

In any sport or activity you do, safety needs to be top priority. When you love to ride or play sports, you want to ensure that you can perform as long as you can. Unfortunately, most of the injuries that occur on horseback are serious and even fatal. That means you need to take care of your body by investing in the proper safety gear.

Wearing a helmet is crucial to protect your head but what about the rest of your body? This is where inflatable safety vests come in. Keep all your internal organs, spine, ribs, neck and tailbone safe from potential injury with a vest. Technology is an amazing thing that is constantly improving and this rings true for safety equipment. It’s smarter, more durable and even more fashionable. Keep yourself protected by normalizing equestrian safety vests.