Body protectors & back protectors when horse riding – what are the differences?
Horse riding contributes a lot to the rider’s fitness. The constant activation of the abdominal and back muscles strengthens the upper body, while the upright posture in the saddle protects the spine. At the same time, falls from the horse in particular, but also accidents when handling the horse from the ground, can lead to serious injuries. Approximately 13% of all injuries caused by a fall from a horse are to the thoracic and lumbar spine.
Along with the head and the upper extremities, the spine is one of the most important parts of a rider’s body to protect. While the risk of injury to the arms can possibly only be reduced by clever rolling behaviour during a fall, riding hats, body protectors and back protectors protect against serious injuries to the head and torso during riding.
Body protectors- committed to health
While a riding hat is now part of a rider’s basic equipment, riding body protectors are still relatively rare. Wearing a protector is currently only obligatory for eventing. Nevertheless, even dressage, show jumping and leisure riders should be aware of the risks involved in riding. Wearing body protectors and back protectors when riding can reduce the risk of serious injuries to the torso. In addition to rib fractures, collarbone fractures and injuries to the spine, one should also bear in mind that falling from a horse can also result in injuries to the internal organs in the chest (heart, lungs, spleen, etc.).
In principle, it is therefore advisable – for the sake of your own health – to make the wearing of body protectors or back protectors a part of your routine, even in amateur sports.
Riders should particularly consider wearing a body protectors or back protectors in the following situations:
– in the disciplines of show jumping and eventing:
While the wearing of a body protector is already prescribed in the cross-country test, in the show jumping course it is the rider’s own decision whether to wear a body protector/back protector. There is an additional risk of injury due to the obstacles.
– when working with young horses or sharp horses:
Every rider knows about the natural instincts of a horse. When dealing with the horse as a flight animal, one should always be aware that unfamiliar sensory stimuli or situations can lead to panic and that the horse often reacts by spooking, rearing, bolting or bucking. If the horse is still in training or has a particularly strong character, the probability of such unpredictable reactions increases.
– as a beginner or an anxious rider:
Practice makes perfect! The more experienced you are in dealing with the horse, the more competently you can master difficult situations in the saddle. Only through regular training over many years and the support of an experienced riding instructor can you learn to keep a cool head even in heated moments. Protectors offer additional protection, especially for beginners. Children in particular cannot initially develop the necessary strength to hold themselves in the saddle when the horse bucks or rears.
As a preventive measure, body protectors or back protectors should therefore be worn when riding, in addition to solid training of horse and rider. The psychological aspect also plays an immense role and can contribute to safety in the saddle. In particular, adult re-beginners or riders who have recently had bad experiences riding often have to deal with fears. Here, too, wearing a body protectors or back protectors can contribute to the rider’s own sense of safety and increase confidence.
– while hacking:
Horses usually feel comfortable in their familiar surroundings. Many riding accidents therefore also occur when hacking, e.g. because the horse hears an unfamiliar noise or an unfamiliar object appears in the horse’s field of vision. Therefore, hacking should only take place when horse and rider feel safe in the open country or when accompanied by an experienced rider. Since in the case of a fall in the open country one could sometimes hit hard ground and obstacles such as branches or road signs or stones could also increase the risk of injury, a protector is recommended when riding in the open country.
Body protectors and back protectors – what are the differences?
Body protectors and back protectors both contribute – to varying degrees – to the protection of the rider. They differ primarily in terms of the protective effect, but there are also some points that have a strong impact on comfort.
Body Protectors | Back Protectors | |
|---|---|---|
Design / Cut | Body protectors equipped with foam inserts on the chest and back. Usually cut slightly longer at the back. Adjustable by means of zips or Velcro fasteners at the shoulders and chest. | Back protectors made of multi-layered foam, which are closed at the front by means of straps, zips or hook-and-loop fasteners. We deliberately avoid outdated models with hard plastic sections on the back, as the protective effect is often less effective here. |
| Which parts of the body are protected? | – thorax – internal organs – shoulder area – spine – depending on the model, parts of the collarbone | – Spine – depending on model, shoulder area – depending on model, light protectors on the rib cage and sides |
| Valid Standard | EN 13158 (European test standard) – Level 3 recommended for maximum protection BETA 2018 (British test standard) – Level 3 recommended for maximum protection | Motorbike test standard EN 1621-2 |
| Variations | -Classic body protector with large foam panels. -Body protector with smaller panel elements made of foam that allow a more flexible fit and more room to move.  | -Classic back protector with belt straps. -Back protectors with zip. These can have additional light chest, rib and shoulder protection.  |
| Advantages | – comprehensive protection of the upper body – great sense of security – many adjustment options | – specifically protects the spine – high comfort due to more flexibility and therefore suitable for everyday use – light weight – good value for money |
| Disadvantages | – Restricts movement, as the foam sections have to be quite thick. – in summer: heat build-up – in winter: Clothing must be chosen accordingly – More expensive than a back protector | -No to little protective effect in the area of ??the chest (including internal organs) and the shoulders, depending on the equipment |
| Schutzwirkung | *** | ** |
No matter which protector you choose, in order for a body protector or back protector to develop its full protective effect, attention must be paid to an optimum fit when buying it. In addition, there are a number of points to consider when dealing with the protector, such as the ideal storage conditions or also the regular replacement – even if you have ridden accident-free. Would you like more information on what to consider when buying and using body protectors or back protectors? We offer our expert knowledge on the subject of safety equipment in our guide:
