Body Protectors for Horse Riding

Body protectors for riding are critical safety gear designed to absorb the impact of falls, kicks, or blunt trauma. They effectively protect sensitive areas such as the chest, ribs, and internal organs from injuries like bruising, lacerations, and broken ribs. While no body protector can prevent every injury, choosing a certified model significantly reduces the severity of accidents during shaping, schooling, hacking, or competition.

Look for body protectors certified to BETA 2018 Level 3, which is widely accepted across equestrian disciplines. This standard, also referenced under EN 13158, ensures rigorous testing for coverage, impact absorption, and secure attachment. It’s the gold standard recommended not only for competitions but also for everyday riding. Any garments bearing the now obsolete Level 5 or 7, Class 1, 2 or 3 labels and BETA 2000 Level 1, 2 or 3 should not be worn.

Yes, child-specific models, marketed as children’s horse riding body protectors, are available and essential for young riders. Correct fit is vital: measure chest circumference, back length, and ensure your child can breathe and move freely in the saddle. Encourage them to bend forward and test coverage; there should be about a hand's-width clearance between the bottom of the protector and the cantle of the saddle.

Body protectors for horse riding typically use foam padding and are tested for torso coverage. Air jackets are inflation devices that rapidly deploy during a fall, but should always be worn over a certified foam body protector to offer full protection. Back protectors focus solely on spinal protection and are not a substitute for a full body protector; they do not cover the chest or ribs sufficiently.

We recommend measuring over your bust, and size up from this to allow room for movement on each side. As an example, if you measure 31” over your bust, we would recommend ordering a 34” chest.

To get the most from your protector, store it hanging in a cool, dry place and close all fastenings to maintain shape. Inspect it for dents after falls; if the foam doesn’t spring back, it needs replacement. It’s advisable to replace your protector every 3–5 years, depending on usage and wear, even if it appears intact, to ensure material integrity remains effective.

When you are sitting in the saddle, you need around 3-4 fingers' clearance from the bottom of the back protector to the back of the saddle - this space is needed so it does not bang on the back of the saddle, as this can be annoying and interfere with your riding.

Hidden damage that a body protector may have sustained is a good reason for avoiding second-hand garments or those with unknown histories. Taking good care of your body protector means that it will last longer within the three to five-year recommended lifespan.  Do not leave it lying around in the yard or in the lorry to be chewed and trodden on. Spending too much time in a hot car or damp tackroom won’t do it any good either, as this will have a negative impact on it.