About Horse Riding Safety Vests

Horseback riding (known as horse riding in the United Kingdom) is an exciting pastime, but you can get hurt. Horses weigh an average of 1000 lbs. and don't know their own strength. When that massive body panics, the rider will be forgotten. There are two kinds of safety vests made for horseback riders to help limit the chances of accident and injury.

  1. Types

    • The first kind of safety vest for horseback riders resembles a flak jacket or Kevlar vest. It is normally worn under a colorful show shirt or silks. The second kind can fit over the first kind or over other riding clothes. It is a lightweight, neon-colored vest that often can shine in the dark.

    Function

    • The heavy Kevlar-type safety vest helps cushion the rider's upper body from any impact. This impact could come when falling, or if another object like a tree branch should hit you while you are riding. The lighter type is to keep you visible to other riders, sport hunters or drivers of nearby vehicles. This also helps drivers see you when it is dark or in bad weather conditions.

    Misconceptions

    • Horse riding vests will not completely keep you safe while riding a horse. You still need to wear a hard hat (riding helmet) and you need to ride a well-trained horse. You also need to learn to sit deep in the saddle so if the horse makes a sudden movement, you are better situated to stay in it rather than fall.

    History

    • Kevlar safety vests first appeared in the 1980s on the chests of rodeo cowboys and then later on jockeys and drivers of harness race horses. Gradually, they moved to eventing and then mainstream horseback riding. Use of riding safety vests is optional, except for the cross country phase of three -day eventing. The neon reflective safety vests (originally crossing guard or construction safety vests) became available to riders in the late 1970s but were not used routinely until the 1990s.

    Theories/Speculation

    • Many riders find the heavy Kevlar safety vests to be uncomfortable and hot. They only cushion the ribs and chest, leaving the rest of the body exposed. Although there has been a "rider air bag vest" created and marketed (see Resources), these vests are only worn when the rider may be bucked off or fall off due to having to stay in a jumping position or jockey's crouch. The rider can be easily dislodged in this position.

      Riders greatly appreciate the lighter, brightly colored safety vest, especially as more riding land is bisected with roads. Riders can have certain messages printed on the vests which can be easily read by drivers or other riders. These include "Horse In Training" as well as "Deaf Horse."