Horse Riding Body Protectors

When riding horses, safety should be paramount. Ensuring you are protected from injury by wearing the appropriate riding wear could save your life. Horse riding Body protectors provide vital protection and it is advised that every rider should have and wear one whenever riding. You may have questions regarding horse riding body protectors, such as how you correctly size your protector, which brand is best and more.

At R&R Country, we have a wealth of knowledge regarding equestrians’ needs, so we have created a horse riding body protector guide for you to consult for sizing, protection and other queries you may have before purchasing.

What does a horse riding body protector do?

Horse riding body protectors are designed to absorb impact from any falls or kicks a rider may experience during training or competition. They protect riders from bruising, fractures and reduce damage to vital organs and injuries to soft tissue that could be worse if the rider was unprotected.

Body protectors can also protect riders if they get caught under horses’ hooves. Absorbing the impact and shock from this kind of fall can help reduce the risk of serious injury.

A young woman warming up her horse on a dressage competition for young horses. The woman wears protecting helmet. Canon Eos 1D MarkIII.

Why wear a body protector when horse riding?

There are a few reasons why you need to wear a body protector when horse riding. These include:

Reduce your risk of serious injury
Protects against soft tissue injuries, bruising and lacerations.
Internal organ protection for your liver, kidney and spleen.
Some competitions require you to wear a body protector to participate
Accidents can happen during hacking or schooling

What are the types of horse riding body protectors?

There are a few types of horse riding body protectors available; all offer different levels of protection for the wearer. However, the most prominent options that offer the highest protection are as follows:

Level 3 horse riding body protectors – These body protectors are suitable for competitions, general riding and working with horses, level 3 horse riding body protectors should prevent bruising and rib fractures.

Air jackets – Horse riding air jackets are typically worn over a level 3 body protector and activated when a rider falls. They provide much more support for the spine and ribs when worn with a body protector. These are very popular with riders taking part in cross-country riding competitions or schooling.

This horse and rider are navigating a jump on a 3-day eventing, cross country jump course.

What is the best protection for you?

At R&R Country, we have a range of horse riding body protectors, back protectors and air jackets suitable for you, no matter your age, riding ability or size.

We offer a range of premium brands that combine technology and style, including Point Two and Racesafe.

Point Two: Point Two put your safety first with their innovative air jackets. The air jacket is inflated by a canister of C02, stored on the front of the jacket. When the rider separates from the saddle, the canister is activated by the release of a lanyard that is clipped from the jacket onto an attachment on the saddle. The airbags will inflate within one-tenth of a second – roughly equivalent to the blink of an eye.

Racesafe: Founded in 1970, the globally renowned brand blends comfort and style with protection and safety. With almost 50 years of experience, Racesafe offers body protectors that are lightweight and double-ventilated. Some protectors within the range have been crafted with 70 independently hinged sections for full movement to ensure you can ride freely whilst remaining protected.

Airowear: Our curated selection of horse riding body protectors from Airowear includes adjustable shoulders, chest and waist capabilities to ensure the protection is moulded to the shape of your body. Lightweight, comfortable and with a removable outer cover, you will surely find a body protector from Airowear that is stylish, comfortable and offers full protection.

Young woman on horseback admiring the view over the island of Møn in Denmark as the sun sets. Photographed from the top of Kongsberg on a beautiful summers’ evening as the sun sets in the distance. She is riding a tan coloured Arabian horse and she is wearing; a dark t-shirt, riding trousers, riding boots and a protective helmet. Colour, horizontal format with lots of copy space.

Men’s Horse Riding Body Protectors

Our range of men’s horse riding body protectors includes everything that you need to stay protected when riding. Find the essentials of riding protection, including shoulder pads, air jackets and body protectors. The selection of horse riding body protectors features designs from special wear brands such as Airowear and Racesafe that offer technical protection and comfort.

Women’s Horse Riding Body Protectors

The selection of women’s horse riding body protectors includes premium items and accessories that will ensure you stay protected whilst riding for leisure or competitively. Explore items from Airowear and Point Two that have an esteemed reputation for safety and comfort.

Children’s Horse Riding Body Protectors

Keeping your little ones safe whilst riding should be of utmost importance. Make sure your child is protected from injury with the selection of children’s horse riding body protectors available at R&R Country. The range includes back protectors, air jackets and body protectors that your child can wear during competition, training or leisure riding.

How to fit a body protector for horse riding

If your horse riding body protector doesn’t fit correctly, its protection will be reduced. This is why it is important to ensure that you size your body protector accordingly.

You should only wear your body protector over light clothing. Anything heavier such as your jackets and coats should be worn on top of your body protector.

Take the following measurements:

Back length – Base of the neck to the base of the spine.
Chest – Under the arms and around the widest part.
Waist – Measure around the waist.
Over the shoulder – From waist to waist

Based on the brand size guides below, you can then use these measurements to see which size would better fit you.
It is always best to try on a body protector before you purchase. If you try one on, ensure the chest and waist straps are loose.
Insert the thumbs into the armholes and bring the panels together. This will allow you to zip the protector together easier.
Fasten the straps for a comfortable fit. If you find that you can’t adjust the protector, you may need a different size.
The neckline of your protector should be flat against the body. You may need a shorter back length if this isn’t aligned.
Sat in the saddle, measure down to approx ¾ finger width clearance above the seat. The correct fit should provide both lower back protection & a full range of movement, without the saddle interfering.